Q& A with J & K

This is the current and new intern team -- Andrea, Kelsi, and Joel!

Here's a short Q &A with J (Joel) and K (Kelsi).

What is your age?

J: 20

K: 18

Why did you decide to become an intern?

J: I really like working with youth, and I had come out to visit, and it felt like God was calling me here.

K: I love all different types of people, and I enjoy relating to just about anyone when it comes to God, life, and interests.

What countries have you visited?
J: Australia, Ecuador, and Costa Rica
K: Africa

What do you like to do in your free time?

J: Play sports, hang out with friends

K: Hang out with friends, read, go on walks

How many sibilings do you have?

J: 4

K: 3

What's your favorite book of the Bible?

J: Psalms, because it shows every aspect of life -- the good and the bad --and that God's always there

K: Genesis, because that's where it all began

What is something your parents taught you?

J: To always put your all into everything, no matter what the circumstance

K: To embrace all kinds of people and be very open to try new things

What is your favorite sports teams or sport?

J: Ohio State Buckeyes, football, baseball, basketball [We've had Buckeyes fans here before; they're hardcore!]

K: None

What is the craziest thing you've ever eaten?

J: Chicken foot soup

K: Goat meat

What is the biggest challenge facing today's teens?

J: Underage drinking and sex

K: Underage drinking and partying

What is one of your goals for this year?

J: To grow more in my walk with God and get to know the kids better

K: To grow spiritually and to have God use the talents He gave me to reach others

Bible Study Kick-off

Bible study kicked off yesterday evening with a Bible scavenger hunt prepared by David. The teams each received the first clue (a Bible reference) that led them to other clues -- also Bible references -- inside and outside the building. This picture is blurry, but it captures what happened when the first clue was given. Teams were on the move!

At the end of the scavenger hunt, everyone gathered together for a time of prayer.

Transitions

Last night, the Aim Right "family" gathered to honor Amy and Matt, who recently completed their internships. A bonus, though, is that we didn't have to say good-bye, since they're both planning to continue to live and work in Phoenix. Thanks so much, Amy and Matt, for your willingness to serve and be stretched. I know there are plenty of people who are glad that you are sticking around!



And--we're so very glad that God provided two new interns at just the right time to fill the vacant intern positions. Last week, we welcomed Kelsi Burkholder from Indiana and Joel Roby from Ohio. Both already have a little history with Aim Right. Kelsi visited Phoenix earlier in the year to spend time with friends and also volunteered at our auction. As for Joel, his sister Allyah served as an intern in 2006, and he came out to lead a week of VBS with his youth group in 2007. Welcome, Kelsi and Joel!

Note: We currently do have a need for another male intern if you or anyone you know might be interested. Applications can be downloaded here.

You, Jesus, and Your Money

Yesterday In Touch Ministries featured a great message on you and your money by Pastor Andy Stanley. It's 20 minutes well spent as he dissects Jesus' teaching on giving and greed in Luke 12.

The Assumption of Consumption - August 23rd broadcast


And....a compelling blog post from one of the Mission Increase Foundation writers. If you think American Christians are a generous lot, think again.

Where are the Other 76%?

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Perhaps you're wondering: Why a post on money and giving? As a non-profit organization that interacts routinely with givers of time, energy, and resources (one of which might be you!), Aim Right's board adopted the Ten Principles of Transformational Giving. One of those principles is that giving is learned, not latent. Therefore, our desire is that you--and we--would grow in understanding and obeying the principles of Biblical giving as we seek together to advance His kingdom in Phoenix and beyond!

Taking the Blame and the Credit

About six years ago, when I was preparing to be an intern and plowing through some of the recommended reading, I read this: "If you take the blame when someone doesn't turn out well, you'll also be the first to take the credit when they do."

In the chapter that follows, the writer went on to say: "I always had defined success by whether the teenagers I was working with were changing for the better. This definition has at least two inherent flaws, however. The first is that it assumes we somehow have the power to change young people. The second lies in the assumption that we can determine when and if real change has happened in a young person."

Sometimes you need to be reminded Who does the changing.


Book referenced (and an excellent read, by the way):
At-Risk: Bringing Hope to Hurting Teenagers by Dr. Scott Larson

August Update

In case you're wondering, YES, Aim Right still exists!

Since this isn't a personal blog, it's hard to know what to write about since August is a month of no "formal" Aim Right programs. It's the month when we catch our breath and prepare to launch fall programs. On a personal level, though, I do always enjoy the pace of August, especially the free evenings, as it allows me to take one or two teens (or a carload or vanload) to visit other churches or ministries during that time. It's a refreshing learning experience for me, as I observe how others teach and lead, plus the youth are being spiritually fed and exposed to a larger Christian community.

As August rolls on, I believe this respite thing is working. Another leader and I had a planning meeting for Kids Klub today, and we both agreed that we are ready to launch--excited to connect with all of "our" kids once more and see what God has in store for this next season!