Justin BolingMore PostsSalary Survey Sneak Peek!
Enjoy the sneak peek of the next issue of Group Magazine! This issue includes the exclusive Salary Survey, interview with Rachel Cruze of DaveRamsey.com, and the NEW Digital version of Group Magazine! (Oh and something called the youth worker lifestyle magazine is coming soon!)
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February 8, 2012
Justin BolingMore PostsGrammy’s & Tourette’s!
JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr.
Published: Yesterday
In this Jan. 17, 2012 photo, contemporary Christian recording artist Jamie Grace poses for a portrait in East Point, Ga. Grace’s song “Hold Me,” featuring TobyMac, is nominated for a Grammy Award for best contemporary Christian music song. (AP Photo/Greg Foster)
ATLANTA (AP) – When Jamie Grace performs music, all of the uncontrollable facial twitches and involuntary body movements called tics become an afterthought.
**Meet Jamie Grace at the Simply Youth Ministry Conference**
Tourette’s syndrome has plagued the 20-year-old singer for nearly half of her life. But she hasn’t allowed the incurable neurological condition to completely weaken her faith. Grace says she wants to use her first trip to the Grammys as another platform to share her inspirational story of resolve to motivate others.
“I’m not the only person who has something in their life they can’t control,” said Grace, sitting inside her dorm room where the walls are lined with Johnny Cash posters while the record player plays the country legend’s song “I Walk the Line.”
“It’s all about taking control over what I can control and that’s saying, ‘Hey, I’ve got Tourette’s, but I can also play guitar, I can also sing and write songs about it,’” she said. “Hopefully I can encourage other kids who are going through crazy stuff too.”
Grace’s song “Hold Me,” featuring TobyMac, is nominated for best contemporary Christian music song. She wrote the guitar-driven ballad at a time when she felt lonely in her dorm room at Point University – a small Christian college in suburban Atlanta.
“I saw that there was depth there,” said TobyMac, a Grammy-winning Christian rocker who signed Grace to his label Gotee Records in 2010 after he discovered her through YouTube. He took notice of her when he learned that she posted a three-minute medley on the online website that included 12 of his songs.
TobyMac saw potential in Grace’s airy vocals, her ability to play several instruments and her savvy songwriting. Her constant message of hope and perseverance in songs drove him to introduce himself to her through Twitter.
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“She really did intrigue me because she’s writing songs that are meaningful,” he said. “Her songs have light to them and sound like they can be around for a long time. Her songs have heart to them, unlike most songs that have a hooky track or melody. She has a beautiful story to tell through her music.”
It has been a tumultuous road for Grace, who was diagnosed with Tourette’s at the age of 11. When she took medication to combat the repetitive symptoms, she said the medicine caused her to lose her hair and made her feel emotionally inattentive like a “zombie.”
At the time, Grace – known by family and friends as a bubbly character – lost her motivation to sing and thought boys would never find her attractive. She remembered asking God why she had to struggle to walk on her own, couldn’t hold a fork to eat food, or had to wear biker gloves to protect her scared knuckles because she would unconsciously punch things as a result of her Tourette’s.
Mona Harper, the mother and manager of Grace who also homeschooled her, said her daughter would be sick four times a week from the medication.
“She lost her unction to go out in front of people and sing,” said Harper, who is a co-pastor with Grace’s father at Kingdom City Center in suburban Atlanta. “Things regressed for her but she showed a lot of resilience, and wasn’t dismantled by the things that were happening to her. The beauty of it for me is to see her bounce back and not break down.”
Grace’s breakthrough from her somber state came after she heard a testimony by Christian singer Tammy Trent, and her grandfather bought her a drum set when she was 14. She went on to learn how to play the piano, guitar, banjo and the ukulele.
For Grace, music became a stress reliever from her Tourette’s. She realized that her recurring twitch did not happen as often the more she beat her drums, strummed her guitar or sang a melody.
“It’s almost like I’m in another world,” she said. “Everything goes silent and it’s so amazing. … I learned how to manage it through music. I can still follow my dreams and I know that God hasn’t forgotten about me. I just had to pray about it.”
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Grace said she had to lean on her faith more since she stopped taking her medication about four years ago. She has learned how to cope with her condition and hasn’t allowed it to have a stronghold over her life.
“If I didn’t have Tourette’s, I don’t think I would be as strong as I am now,” said Grace, who has her own nonprofit mentoring program called GraceTalk. “I wouldn’t have the strength of resilience to speak with the 14-year-old girl who doesn’t feel beautiful.”
In the spring, Grace will graduate with a degree in child and youth development. Along with continuing her musical career, she wants to help families with children who have Tourette’s and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
TobyMac feels strongly about the longevity of Grace’s music career. With her being a young black singer who has an infatuation with country music, can sing R&B and gospel, and can play the acoustic guitar, he expects her to make more appearances at music’s top showcase in the future.
“She’s full of surprises and has all of these different facets,” he said. “She can really make a mark. For her to earn a Grammy (nomination) this early in her career, I think it’s an amazing sign of things to come for her.”
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Follow Jonathan Landrum Jr. on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/mrlandrum31
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February 7, 2012
Justin BolingMore PostsWhat It Is All About?
I, Jon Batch, am apart of the SYMC team and have been helping with the conference for several reasons allow me to explain.
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**DISCOUNTED REGISTRATIONS are still AVAILABLE**
My prayer is that this conference helps you feel inspired, challenged, loved, equipped, supported and a part of the family. Then you can return to the trenches and help students and their families to Christ.
Jon Batch
Director of Student Ministries
Dearborn Hills UMC
jbatch@dhumc.com
twitter: @jonbatch
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February 5, 2012
Justin BolingMore PostsI Serve Youth Workers!
This will be my third year at SYMC, and to say that I am excited is an understatement. I have had a countdown going on my computer for weeks, and just recently made one of those elementary school paper chain countdown things in my office. (Seriously, it droops over the picture wall!)
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SYMC 2010 in Chicago was my first year. I went with a couple of other youth workers in my local network who had been before and said how great it was. I was kind of reluctant to go. I had been in a valley in my ministry and felt like I was on my way out. I thought that I would go and maybe get a few good nuggets of info here or there, hear a couple of good bands, and head back to a situation that I wanted so desperately to flee. What I got from SYMC was so much more. Yes, I did get some information that I was able to use in my ministry, and yes, I heard some good music, but I got so so much more than that. I got back my passion for ministry, this wasn’t something planned but God knew what I needed and showed me just that at SYMC. I also strengthened old relationships and built new friendships and relationships. Those people I met have become some of my closest friends to this day and have since helped support me through the hardest ministry stretch of my life. I am eternally grateful for the SYMC family, for loving and supporting me, my family, and the ministry that God has called me to.
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This year at SYMC I am serving as a volunteer on the behind the scenes team. I am helping wherever needed, from chair drops to making copies, and all that odd stuff that happens for any event. The team is full of wonderful people who truly love this conference and want this it to be an amazing experience for everyone who is going to be in Louisville. One of my goals that I have embraced on this team is to make it so that everyone in attendance has a time to just relax, refuel, laugh, learn a little bit, and most of all, to just Breathe!! I can’t wait to catch up with you all in just a few short weeks!
Ben Halsch
Husband, Youth Guy, Crazy.
The Shueyville UMC
ben.halsch@gmail.com
twitter: @bhalsch
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February 1, 2012
Justin BolingMore PostsType A Personalities Unite!
After being diagnosed with a potentially debilitating disease in my early 30s I was sure that I would never have my dream of being married ever fulfilled, but God had something else in mind. I was working on my 6th year of ministry at a local church when God worked in a very mysterious way…. a friend and collegue that I had gotten to know through a ministry network – went from being a ministry friend to a husband in less than one year! God is so good and because of that goodness I have the honor of being married to a Youth Pastor which is both a blessing and at times a challenge.
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I am so excited to be leading the Connect Group for those women who are married to Youth Pastors. As a youth pastor’s wife I wear so many different hats, volunteer, secretary, sounding board, treasurer, and best friend. There are days that I am just astonished at how God uses our individual gifts to do so much for his kingdom and there are those other days when our schedules and need for family time gets put on the back burner. What I do know is that the victories and trials of life together in ministry has molded us and shaped our marriage into something far greater than I could have ever imagined.
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We don’t have it all together…. we never will, but I believe that through sharing in this journey together as wives of Youth Pastors we can encourage one another, support those who are hurting, laugh with the stories we have to share, and celebrate the joy of being part of God’s call to love Him and love students.
The Connect Group ministry at the SYM Conference is a great way to connect with those that are in the same boat as you. This will be my third year leading a connect group and I am so excited about this time. The friends I have made in these groups over the past four years have been awesome. Many of us has stayed in touch and still chat as we seek to allow this relationship to be more than a one weekend thing but a lifetime of encouraging, connecting, and praying for one another.
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There are so many options at the conference that it can be overwhelming! As a bit of a Type A person, I suggest sitting down with your schedule and mapping out the things that you really want to be sure to attend, a list of things that are potentially interesting, and cross out those things that don’t apply to you. If you want to network with others that are in your same life situation, I highly suggest making Connect Groups part of your must do list.
I am looking forward to my time at the conference, and especially my time spent with my connect group of Youth Pastor’s wives!
Jana Snyder
Speaker/Counselor/Educator
Taraja Ministries
janalynn8@gmail.com
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January 31, 2012
Justin BolingMore PostsThere…I am family!
I didn’t think I’d last this long. I imagined that I would either a) quit or b) be fired after a short time. There are some days, like many of us, that I consider throwing in the towel. When those thoughts come, my mind and heart are brought back and reminded why I do what I do. I’m also reminded of the “who;” Who I have helped, directed led…and…wonderfully…who has helped me.
**DISCOUNTED REGISTRATION ends February 1, 2012 and SAVE $20**
For me, the Simply Youth Ministry Conference is a family reunion. It’s a time for me to get away and meet up with my family. Not friends. Not just.. people. But family. Old and new. From the minute I was first introduced to the ministry to even today… the one word to describe SYMC is family.
There are no pedestals. We are all on the same level.
There is no hierarchy. We are all equal.
You have that “little brother” that you can’t wait to give an arm punch to.. and maybe a Noogie.
You have that “older sister” that you like to tease…and she enjoys teasing you.
You have that “dad…” the one that when you say something a little inappropriate.. he gives you “the eyes..” .. and than cracks up too, because he’s in Youth Ministry.
You have that “mom…” the one that just wants to bless you, hug you, feed you, listen and care for you.
You have the multiple cousins.. the ones where you can not see each other for a year.. and pick up where you left off.
You have that “crazy uncle…” (enough said…)
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But here’s the beauty of it all. The Simply Youth Ministry is a family. And while we may not be related by blood.. we are connected through His blood. Our lives thread together, because of His life. And that, my friends, is a beautiful thing. It’s a beautiful thing to read; it’s an incredible thing to experience.
Why do I go to the Simply Youth Ministry Conference…because there, no matter what…I am accepted. I am loved. I am cherish, honoured, respected, welcomed.
There.. I am family!
Andy Disher
Youth Pastor
Kingsville Community Church
andrewdisher@gmail.com
twitter: @andydisher
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January 30, 2012
Justin BolingMore PostsWhy I’m Pumped for SYMC 2012…
In just about 30 days, early March, I’ll be making the trek down to Louisville Kentucky with 3000 or so other youth ministers, youth leaders, adult volunteers, college students and those committed to student ministry to participate in SYMC 2012. This is my 4th SYMC, and I’m pumped. Yep, Francis Chan will be there. So will Jonathon Acuff. The Skit Guys. But I’m not going to here Chan offer what will be an excellent message, or for Acuff to make me chuckle, then think. SYMC is my conference for just 2 reasons:
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SYMC is by youth workers.
I know this, because I’m a member of the Inside Track Team. I don’t say that as a point of pride, by as a point of humility. Why? Our church has about 100 people, we have 2 full time pastoral staff and 1 part time secretary (she loves our middle school kids!). If everyone shows up, we will have 30 kids per week. And yet, for the last two years, I’ve gone to Colorado in late Fall with 75 other people just like me and planned the conference. You read that right…me, a 6 year youth ministry veteran from a small church in eastern Iowa has input into a conference that teaches, equips and encourages thousands of youth workers just like me. I’ve gotten to know the people at Group personally; they are becoming close friends. And the other members of the team? Just knowing that I can send a text asking for prayer or to share the latest ministry mishap is huge for me. And, they do the same.
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SYMC is for youth workers.
Because youth workers have been instrumental in the creation of the conference, it’s done for them. Kami, Justin, Andy, Rick, Josh…they love us. They really, really love us. They not only tell us, they show us. When Kami learns that someone has a negative experience at SYMC, she contacts them. They have ministered to me in a way that I have rarely been ministered to. Everything at SYMC is set up to create relationship in a meaningful way. Regardless of what class, session, or connect group that I’ve been a part of, if I had youth group that night, I would have been able to use something from that class, session, or connect group.
SYMC 2012 is by and for youth workers. I’d love to talk with you in person about it!
John Mulholland
Next Generations Minister
Eastview Christian Church
jaknjmul@msn.com
twitter: @xjm716
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January 26, 2012
Justin BolingMore PostsThe First Time in 20 Years!
For youth workers. By youth workers.
It’s so much more than a slogan or a tag line. It’s the very soul-beat of the conference I have grown to love!
Youth workers from around the world have an investment in this conference. We have an investment in youth ministry. We have an investment in youth workers. We want to invest in you.
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I come to SYMC to serve – wherever I’m needed – whatever is necessary. Oh, don’t get me wrong. I have some specific job responsibilities. Two years ago I was the ‘move this over there’ guy. Last year I hosted a connect group for couples who serve in youth ministry together. This year I’m hanging out with The Glass House Spouse and leading some conferences and peer panels on marriage and family life in youth ministry.
What I love doing most at SYMC is meeting youth workers, though. The first year I attended SYMC, our church had just gotten the stuffing kicked out of us by a trusted friend and colleague. I was hurting and alone. I walked into a room of 3,000 people and felt instantly known. The ‘by youth workers’ folks stepped into this ‘for youth workers’ life. As the conference concluded and in the weeks that followed, I realized that I didn’t just get a conference experience. I had made some life-long, lasting connections…and not the kind of ‘ladder-connections’ some like to do during conferences. I had found community with others in youth ministry…for the first time in 20 years.
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I vowed right then that regardless of the role I was playing during SYMC, I would always be there for youth workers like me – needing a friend, reeling from wounds, desperate for Jesus, and still loving youth ministry.
That’s the role I like living into most during SYMC – I hope we get a chance to meet this year. I’ll be the big guy who laughs a lot and has people randomly sniffing him.
Darren Sutton
Lead Youth Pastor
Solomon’s Colonnade
VeteranYP@gmail.com
twitter: @darrensutton
Justin BolingMore PostsFREE Tech Tools to Help Your Youth Ministry
When I was in college the tech rage was Instant Messaging, today most of my facebook friends shut their chat feature off. Tech seems to progress so rapidly we can miss all the tools and toys that could be a good addition to our ministries…by the end of this post facebook may change what our home screens look like again…and again. Mmmmmm, Timeline 3D…
**DISCOUNTED REGISTRATION ends February 1, 2012 and SAVE $20**
I am excited to be teaching on tech at SYMC. I will lead two workshops, one on “Top FREE Tech Tools for Youth Ministry” and another on “Making the Most of Today’s Technology.”
In these workshops I will do my best to communicate for:
Justin BolingMore PostsTransitional Ministry
Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” – Deuteronomy 31:8
Making a major transition in ministry to another state means everything is different. The local news channel personalities are not what you’re used to listening to and seeing every night at 11:00. Radio stations even seem to play different music as you drive unfamiliar streets finding your way around. The barista at the Starbuck’s isn’t your regular barista that knows your name and what you drink and the regulars are not…your regulars. And on a night you’re expecting God to move through your new students, something doesn’t go quite right and you’re left feeling discouraged and defeated.
**DISCOUNT REGISTRATION ends February 1, 2012**
Yes, everything is different and sometimes even a little scary. I doubt for a moment that any of you who have had to make a major transition in your ministry and life can say you never felt a little scared of what’s ahead, unsure of yourself and slightly discouraged no matter how long you’ve been in ministry.
It’s these scary, frustrating, discouraging and sometimes confusing moments that I have the privilege to share my own experiences with youth workers from all over the country who are facing transition in the ministry. For my second year in a row I’ll be leading the Surviving Transitions Connect Group at the Simply Youth Ministry Conference being held in Louisville, KY from March 2nd to the 5th.
**DISCOUNT REGISTRATION ends February 1, 2012**
This year I’m particularly excited about it as I’ll have my wife by my side for the first time. She’ll be available to share her experiences about surviving transitions from the stand point of the spouse.
How does transition impact our families? So often when we talk about transition in ministry we only focus on how it impacts us in our ministry, but we rarely discuss the impact it has in our homes and on our families.
So as I prepare to lead the Surviving Transitions in Ministry Connect Group at this year’s SYMC, I’ve been giving a lot of thought about the personal care of youth workers that are in transition based on my own experiences. I am looking forward to connecting with you and other youth workers who are or will be facing transition of some sort in ministry to hear their stories, pray and be an encouragement to them.
Brian Ford
Student Ministries Pastor
Agape Christian Church
xposed2jesus@gmail.com
twitter: @ypbrianford
Justin Boling is the Marketing Coordinator for Simply Youth Ministry. [read more]
Steph will be popping up from time to time on here. She is involved in keeping Simply Youth Ministry and the Simply Youth Ministry Conference running.
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