Pastors conference

I am blessed this weekend to be at a pastors conference for the CCCC denomination. What a wonderful group of people to be around and they are so supportive of youth ministry.

Tonight we had a prayer time at the end of the night and I was in a group with four other men that I have not met until today. We were asked to share what God was doing in our lives and what He was speaking to us about. I shared my passion for youth ministry and for Boaz ministry. I loved to have them pray specifically for this ministry and for teens in general. They get it, they understand youth ministry. Praise God!!!

One of the things I talked about was at risk teens. One of the older gentleman said, "I understand what you mean by at risk teens, but aren't all of the teens and children who go to school in some ways at risk?" His point is well taken, any child that goes to school has the potential to be at risk, as you never know what can happen to a child that is being educated. We don't know what things they are being told is truth when in reality it is just a theory. We don't know if that child will be a victim of bullying.

This is all the more reason to pray for our teens and children. The risk is minimized when people are praying for our youth.

I am praying for the teens in Fredericton that are going to Women Who Worship this weekend. Kaitlyn, Gwen, Anna and Samm I pray that you will grow closer to God through this weekend. You are great girls!

An opportunity to help

Today I had an opportunity to help a teen in need that has no parents to depend on. I almost missed out on it though. This teen has been struggling to survive and in many ways has done a great job, making good choices and trying to do the right thing.

I got a phone call from this teen looking for some help with a situation that was in need of some direction. I was asked what was the best thing to do with the situation and I gave some advice and basically told the teen to figure it out on their own since they make good decisions usually.

I hung up the phone and felt like I had "done my part" but I was convicted that I needed to do more. I got thinking that if I was willing to actually make an extra effort the teens situation was something that could be made easier. I thought about those teens out there who have no one that they can turn to when my children have that privilege. I thought of how many times I have bounced things off my parents and how I enjoy their support.

I called the teen back and indicated that I would help them in any way I could. It was a difficult decision for the teen as to what they should do. I offered these thoughts,"If you were my teen and you came to me for advice, this is what I would suggest. I hope this helps, you can make your own decision." That was all that was needed, an adult that could give practical advice.

You never know how a small bit of your time could make a difference in someones life. Before we just give a glib answer, ask God and yourself what you should do and how to be involved. Often in life people need to know there is someone they can go to for some common sense advice. Not everyone has someone they can turn to!

Blankets on the bench

I got a phone call from Wayne today letting me know that someone had spotted a person laying on a bench downtown and that they seemed to be quite young. I found out the location and proceeded to take a walk to the area and what I found was some blankets and what looked like a knapsack. No one was found.

I returned to the bench three more times during the day but no one was there and no one came back to retrieve the blankets that whole time. I will be sure and check in again tomorrow as it is very obvious to me that someone slept on that bench overnight.

This could seem like a story about nothing but it isn't. I am so glad that I would get a call informing me of the fact that someone was in need in our city and that they thought it was a young person. We want to make a difference and we want to know if there is a hurting teen that is rejected and alone.

Please pray for Jerry, he is a young man that is having a hard time in Miramichi. Many of you know him and he called me this afternoon to let me know that he had been kicked out of the group home he was in due to poor behaviour. He is going to try and rent a room in Miramichi but the only place he has found that he can move in to is with people that are into drugs. I have great fear for him and need the Lord's direction in order to know what to do to help.

Bible study /book study

I have this idea that I want to bounce off my blogger friends that are here in the city. I would like to start a Bible/book study here in the city sometime in the morning once a week maybe around 9:30 or so and go until 10:30. I am not interested in doing the study in a church I want to do it somewhere like a restaurant/cafe.

I talked with the owners of Triniteas Cup and they have indicated they would be fine with us doing it in their cafe. I thought we could order a tea or coffee have a few light snacks and study and talk. It might be a way to have others join us who may never enter a church.

I read a statement a couple of years ago that read "the church has left the building, gone evangelizing." Those words have been resonating in my head lately and I thought that maybe this is a way to meet together. It would be open to both men and women, you could invite a friend along.

I would love to hear your thoughts. So what are they?

On a different note I am excited that we have sponsorship for our Chinese dinner. I won't tell you who it is right now, but when you come to the dinner you will find out.

If you know of those who may have interest in joining us for the dinner, please be proactive and invite them. You never know it could be a life changing night.

Boaz Chinese Dinner

It is less than three weeks until our Chinese dinner takes place and we really want to have a packed house. If you are thinking about coming and haven't bought your tickets yet, please support the ministry by contacting us and purchasing a ticket.

We are looking for a couple of people or businesses that would have interest in being sponsors for the evening. We would be sure and treat our sponsors well. We will be having some items available for a silent auction, so if you know of someone that might want to donate something for the event please let us know.

The dinner is on Saturday April 15th @ 6:30 pm at First Wesleyan Church. We will finish up between 8:15 and 8:30. It will be a great night of food and fellowship.

Another way you could help the ministry would be to bring a bag of groceries to give away to those in need.You could also purchase a gift card from a local grocery store that we could give to needy families.

I would ask for your prayers as we get closer to the date. It is essential that we have a good turn out as we seek to inform more folks about the ministry of Boaz.

Spiritual gifts

Spiritual gifts are given to each one of us. No gift is greater than another and all are given by God to us in order for us to serve Him and serve others as we live our life.

I have taken a number of spiritual gifts tests over the years of ministry and I know my gifts. The ones that are strongest for me are: faith, evangelism, teaching and leadership. My weaknesses are music and craftmanship. Why is it important for us to understand our giftings?

One of the main things that I see when it comes to knowing my gifts and other gifts, is that it helps me to better understand how to involve people in ministry. For instance if a person has the gift of hospitality but is not gifted in the area of leadership, I should plan accordingly. I am not going to ask that person to lead a group of people towards a task, I am going to use them for things that involve them opening up their home to invite others in. This is a simple example of how understanding others gifts can help.

A friend of mine has never done a gifts test, at least one that I am aware of. Since I have an understanding of the different gifts people have and know what they look like in action I am able to determine with some level of accuracy what my friends gifts are. Two of Dave's gifts are helps and giving. How do I know this? Dave has a truck that he uses to help others move things, fix things and he does this all with a heart that wants to simply serve. He wants nothing in return, in fact he does not even want to be asked if he would like some money for his services.

It would be silly for me to ask Dave to serve this ministry by putting together a leadership conference or to ask him to come into the office everyday to work on the finances for the ministry. It would be frustrating for him and make him unproductive. Why tie him up doing something that is not in his giftings to do?

If you have never done a spiritual gifts test, I encourage you to do one. Ask your pastor to help you with this. I have administered many of them to people who love the Lord and it is exciting for them to know that they have gifts, that God has blessed them uniquely, and that they can serve Him and different ministries with ease.

Special thanks to Dave for his willingness to pick up and deliver furniture for us in this ministry. He is a blessing to me, Boaz and most of all to God.

Triniteas

Yesterday afternoon I decided to go for a walk downtown as I was headed to the local library to drop off a book. After the book return I decided to head to Tim Hortons for a coffee, but I had a change of plans. I felt like God was leading me into a cafe called Triniteas, I had never been in it before.

I knew of the cafe, it is at the bottom of Regent St. in Fredericton, because a friend had told me about it and suggested I go in sometime. He indicated that the owners were Christians and great people. I went in and placed an order for a chocolate flavored tea which was very tasty. While I was ordering I introduced myself to the owners. They had been told about the Boaz ministry by my friend John.

I sat down in their cafe and was so blessed by the atmosphere. I could sense the peace of God in this place. God began to speak to my heart about this being a place of ministry and that it was a place I needed to visit often. I can just envision having very meaningful conversations with people in Triniteas.

I was about to leave and take my cup back to the counter when I started talking again with the owners. An hour and a half later I finally left as we had such a blessed conversation. They shared their heart for their cafe and what God had laid on their hearts to do. They discussed the challenges of operating a small business, they weren't complaining, simply sharing. What I discovered is that my heart and their hearts to reach people for Christ are very much the same.

I want to encourage you who read this blog to drop in to Triniteas and enjoy the food, the atmosphere and a wonderful Christian couple. It is worth the effort to support a business that has a real interest in seeing the lives of young people changed.

As for me I have decided to make Triniteas my new place to meet with people for coffee or to get some computer work done. I am going to enjoy my fellowship with new friends. I am glad I followed the prompting of God.

Always need to be asking

Last night one of my close friends, Nicolle, and I had the special opportunity to take a very smart nine year old girl out for ice cream. We wanted to spend some time talking to her about what was happening in her life at school and at home and lots of other things. Of course we did this with her mom and dads permission and it was such a blessing.

One of the things she talked about was things that she liked to do. She talked about going for walks and going to movies and playing with friends and riding a bike. We asked her if she had a bike and she said that she didn't have one. Thanks to the generosity of a friend named Andy, he had donated two girls bikes to us just the week before, we had a bike to give to her. Off we went to our storage place and gave this little girl a beautiful bicycle that was perfect for her size.

We inquired as to whether or not she had a helmut and she said she didn't. Nicolle then jumped into action and before we took our new friend home she had that too. When she got out of the van and went to meet her parents she was so excited. It was so wonderful to do something special for this young lady in need of something so basic.

While we were eating ice cream earlier in our time together, our nine year old buddy shared that she liked to draw. I found a paper and pen and let her draw away. At one point she looked at Nicolle and asked how do you spell "guys". Nicolle told her and we kept on talking. A few minutes later she passed us her drawing which had lots of hearts, and a message that said, "I love you guys."

Isn't it amazing how much you can make a child feel better by spending some time just talking. We are looking for a Christian mentor for this little girl. If you are interested let me know, and we will let you know what you need to do to make an impact in her life.

Commitment to pray

I have been doing a lot of thinking lately and asking myself what do I need to improve in when it comes to my personal life as well as ministry. The answer has become very clear, I need to get serious about prayer.

I met a gentleman last week who really challenged me in this area. He talked about how his ministry has grown as a result of deeply committed prayer. He also shared that in order to be a part of his ministry all his leaders need to be committed to focus on prayer. I have not been near as faithful as I need to be and that needs to change.

I know it makes a difference and you do too. Since we know it makes such a difference then why is it so hard to be consistent? I think that when I neglect my prayer time, I am saying that I can do things and I don't really need God's help. I know different BUT my attitude says something else.

This morning when I woke up I made a determined effort to put Him first and spend quality time with Him. When I got to the church this morning I took the time to pray for every teen in my youth group by name. I know I need to be doing this regularly and I have not been an effective pray-er.

If you struggle with this sometimes as I do, I wan't to encourage you to reconnect with the power source. We really can't do things without His help!!! Oh and we also have much to thank him for!!!

Family in need

We have a need for a family. We are hoping to be able to provide the following food items: Ham, roast beef, bologna, apples, 3% milk, apple juice, jam, yogurt, rice, margarine, eggs, cheese, chicken fingers, french fries. Baby items, diapers, baby wipes and baby food. Toilet paper, dish soap. They also need a kitchen table and a blender.

If you can help please let us know.

"To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world"

I can't talk to my parents

This weekend I met a young man who shared with me a little bit of what was happening in his life. He talked about the great disappointment that his parents were for him, and how it seemed to him that they were only interested in their own selfish needs. You could sense the frustration as he talked.

He talked of not being able to communicate with his parents at all. He said they are often not around and when they are it is impossible to have even a basic conversation. As soon as he tries his mother begins to scream at him and accuses him of being selfish. His comment was that he didn't think he could put up with this type of family life for too much longer.

I asked him a question, "Do you respect your parents?" His response was "I respect them because they are my parents and I do what they ask me to do, but if they were not my parents, I wouldn't respect them at all."

It is very sad that this type of family dynamic happens much too often. Part of being a parent is putting your own needs on the back burner in order to meet some of your teens or childs needs. Does that seem like an unreasonable thing to ask? I no there has to be balance but when that balance is off our children pay.

This young man asked me what I thought he should do. I have to tell you it is not an easy question to answer. I know he is really trying to communicate but it seems like his mom especially is unwilling to listen. I feel like the only thing I can do for him right now is listen to him when he needs to talk and pray for his situation.

God`s favor

What a blessed day it has been. It is amazing how much better a day can be when you pray for God to lead you and try to be led by Him.

I am so thankful to both of our local Christian radio stations and for the ministry they have in our city. This afternoon I visited both of the stations and were met by welcoming people. Both stations showed a real interest in the Boaz ministry and are more than willing to help us promote our banquet and other areas of ministry. Thank you to Positive Hits and CJRI.

After leaving the second radio station I got in the vehicle and asked God to continue to give us favor. I stopped into a local church to drop off some information and only one pastor was in. I have known Elwood for many years and had no idea he was the director of Alpha for Canada. We ended up having a long and productive discussion of how to incorporate Alpha into the Boaz ministry, the COI ministry and my role as a youth pastor.

It was also encouraging for another reason. Elwood shared his heart for the ministry and provided testimony of how God had clearly led him in ministry and how as he stepped out in faith God truly blessed and led him. It was such a beautiful reminder of how faithful God is. Even when men try and discourage us, we need to continue to walk out what God has told us to do. It is then that we get to fully see the hand of Almighty God!!!

Remember every day to pray and ask Him for His direction and His favor. He really does have an abundance of blessings He is willing to pour out on you and I.

Chinese Theme Dinner

Mark this on your calendars!!!

Saturday May 15th, 6:30 pm

First Wesleyan Church

Boaz Ministries is putting on a high quality Chinese dinner with the goal of exposing more people to the Boaz ministry. Not only will people be treated to an amazing meal where everything is home made by our cook that has years of service running her own restaurant, but you will also hear what our ministry focus is and how you could play a part.

Tickets for this meal are just $15 per person. We are only selling 150 tickets and they are available at Morning Gate Church 458-0093, First Wesleyan Church 458-9232, or at the Lighthouse Bookstore in Fredericton. You can also buy them directly from me by calling 451-5547.

Maybe you would like to purchase a table and bring 5 of your friends. You could help us out by purchasing a table for 6. If you would like to support the ministry through donation, even if you can`t attend please let me know.

We look forward to this event, you wont be disappointed. Please invite your friends and enjoy a night of good food and fellowship.

Sharing the ministry

Right now is the time to build the knowledge base of what this ministry is all about. You never really know where that opportunity will come and in which setting. At times you can plan it and other times it just happens.

I am always wanting to share the vision for Boaz with people. One way we will do that is to have a dinner and invite lots of people that I and others associated with the ministry know. At this Chinese theme dinner (it will be great and you should plan to attend) we will have some amazing food and a chance to talk to 150 people and encourage them to get involved in what we are doing. If you would like a ticket or would like to sponsor a table for others the tickets are $15.00

We also put in a new order for another 250 brochures to hand out to those that we meet who may have interest in knowing about Boaz. I trust that God will lead us to the people we need to share with. I know that the first hundred we were able to hand out and explain the ministry were beneficial.

I was approached yesterday by a lady who was asking about the ministry and had a desire to be involved both prayerfully and financially. I am not even sure where she heard about what we are doing but I look forward to having her involved.

Another group of people heard about our ministry to young at risk families and brought over some supplies that might help to alleviate the need of those who suffer in poverty. If we were to think of all the things that we have around our home that are just collecting dust and could help someone who has nothing, we would be able to assist many, many families.

Finally today I had to take one of my cats to the vet, he is having some bladder troubles. I know you didn't really need to know that. Anyway, he asked me what I did and I told him that I was a youth pastor and that I also started a ministry that works with at risk teens. He ended up having an hour long conversation with me about teens in need and shared his heart for young folks. He also shared how he wished he could do things differently with his own children.

It has been a good few days of building this ministry. I am confident that God will build this ministry as He is in charge.

Surrounded by good people

In order to operate a ministry like Boaz, I need to have great people surrounding me. I am certainly blessed with that. I have a wonderful board of people and advisory board also. To all you folks I say thanks so much.

This afternoon I had an opportunity to have a facebook conversation with a gentleman who shared his heart. This young man has been battling addiction for the last four years and is haunted by the abuse of his past. He is so tired of feeling depressed, overwhelmed and full of self hatred.

His problems started as a child as he was abused at the hands of someone that should have never done what he did. I am so sick of these types of behavior. How can someone who is entrusted to the care of a child do such heinous things? Abuse effects people for a lifetime if they don't receive the help they need.

This young man asked me to pray for him and we are going to continue to talk and see how we might be able to help him take some steps forward to being set free from addiction and dealing with the abuse of the past. My prayer is that God would meet my friend at his point of need.

I wonder how things might have been different for this man if he had been surrounded by good people right from the very beginning of his life. His life would have likely been much different.

Meeting held

This afternoon we (Wayne and I) met with a local church to discuss the possibility of using their facility for our youth drop in center. The initial meeting went well and we need to hear back from them in a couple of weeks as to whether they have interest in pursuing this avenue with us. I would ask that you would join me in praying as to whether or not this is the place God has for us.

It has been a bit discouraging to see the slow progress we are making as we move forward with the Boaz Ministry. I was reminded today of the prophecy spoken over me last summer that I would need to be patient in this process. I need to be reminded that God is in control of every aspect of this ministry and things will happen in his ordained timing. What seems slow to me is likely right on time for Him.

I had a wonderful blessing this past weekend, in that I was able to deliver Easter presents to the two families we have been working with. Due to the generosity of our friends at Gentle Shepherd Community Church, candy and rabbits, clothing and books were delivered to the families on Saturday afternoon. Both families were so excited and the kids were so grateful too. An added blessing was to see one of those families attend church on Sunday with me. It is amazing how acts of kindness truly touches a person's heart.

Sunday afternoon we had a family dinner on my wifes side of the family and the teen we had invited to spend Easter weekend with us joined us for the meal. I know it meant a lot to him to be included in a family event. The sad part was, that day his parents were invited to come and spend a few moments with him in the late afternoon but they declined because they were too busy.

Keep on praying, we are making an impact in the lives of others. With God's help and leading this is just the beginning.

Visiting teen

It has been such a wonderful Easter weekend. As a Christian it is such a blessing to remember the tremendous price that was paid for us. His love for us is almost hard to fathom. How many people do you know that would lay down their lives for you. His love is unconditional which is the same kind of love Christ wants us to have for others.

Some individuals just don't receive that here on earth from the people that you would expect that love from. Parents are supposed to love their children through the good and the bad, when their kids do great things and when their kids struggle. There is a big difference between being a parent, and someone who loves as a mother and father.

This weekend I wanted to share that acceptance with a teen that means a lot to me. Jerry is a young man that has been dealt a very tough hand by uncaring parents. He has felt the pain of rejection and the continual lack of support at all levels. Jerry was invited by our family to spend a few days with us. We wanted to feed him and care for him and let him know that he is great.

My prayer for Jerry is that he would know the love of a father. I am referring to his Heavenly father. I hope that while he is with us for the next couple of days and as he eats Easter dinner with us that he would know that there is a family that cares.

Easter Sunday is coming in the morning. We will celebrate the resurrection power of Christ. The blood of Christ sacrifice is powerful. It can do the impossible. I pray that resurrection power over Jerry, that he might know His heavenly father loves him just the way he is.

Car accident

For those who have not heard, Wayne Spencer one of our advisory board members and my assistant in Boaz was in a car accident this morning. His vehicle was t-boned by another vehicle outside of a local restaurant on a busy highway. Wayne had to be extricated from the van by jaws of life and was taken to the hospital early this morning.

I met Wayne's wife Michelle this morning and we drove to the hospital to meet the ambulance. After a thorough examination and x rays by doctors it was determined that Wayne suffered no broken bones though he was shaken up quite badly and is experiencing lower back pain. He is resting at home with pain medication.

The policeman that came to the hospital to meet Wayne indicated to Michelle and I that if Wayne was not wearing a seat belt or if Wayne was not driving in the van the outcome would have been very different. We are thankful for this positive outcome.

The other gentleman involved in the accident was taken to hospital by ambulance also. I was able to meet he and his wife and it appears that he has a positive outcome too. They were a very kind family and were relieved to know that Wayne was doing well. The Spencer's were thankful that no one in the other vehicle was severely injured.

Please continue to pray for both families involved. It will take some time for both men to recover. There is much to be thankful for. Though both vehicles were complete write offs, no one was killed and for that we are truly grateful.