When to Leave, and When to Stay

When to Leave, and When to Stay

December 31st, 2012 was my last day as an official youth pastor.  7 and a half years now done.  Now I am a church planter.  What in the world am I doing?! And one of the biggest questions that I have wrestled with is this, is it my time to leave? I think that most of...
Why Big Events Are Good

Why Big Events Are Good

I know people like to emphasize often that its “not about events and programs.” I get it. We want it to be about people, and relationship, and the Spirit. Plus, events cost money, they are hard to organize (have you ever tried to get teens to commit to...
RELEASE: Empowering A Generation

RELEASE: Empowering A Generation

There seems to be a re-occurring theme among many young people today that goes like this, “Don’t Underestimate Me.” That has always been a problem every young generation faces. They want to be taken seriously and so they should. “When you grow up” are words many hear...
Reach: Valuing, Welcoming, and Reaching Children

Reach: Valuing, Welcoming, and Reaching Children

Reach: valuing, welcoming and reaching children, giving them an opportunity to come into relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus had an amazingly high value that he placed on children. Once he said, “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom...
Ignite: For Such A Time As This

Ignite: For Such A Time As This

When you look at your life do you ever wonder if there are specific moments that God has created for you to step into?  I believe that God is actively working to accomplish his will and there are moments, divine moments, when we realize that God has positioned us,...
Ignite: Lighting the Fires of a Generation

Ignite: Lighting the Fires of a Generation

Rick Olmstead is the Director for Youth and Youth Adults on the National Board for the Vineyard USA. To set the tone for 2013, Rick he will be writing a series over the next couple weeks on his vision to ignite the next generation in the Vineyard. It all began for me...