Breaking Down Barriers to the Bible

Breaking Down Barriers to the Bible

Do you remember the first time the Bible “came alive” for you? I do. I was fourteen years old on a mission trip with YWAM in Mexico. It was a three week trip, and the first half was focused on discipleship and training. They gave us an hour every day to...
Leaving Space for Teens to Encounter Jesus

Leaving Space for Teens to Encounter Jesus

I used to take it personally when new students would come to youth group yet never return once they found the mega-church youth group with loud music, video games, and massive screens. Now, a decade later, I have learned to let it go. While at the store, I ran into a...
Are You The Bottleneck?

Are You The Bottleneck?

What is your preferred method for extracting Ketchup from the glass bottle? You know what I’m talking about? Do you hit the bottom of it? Shake it? Slap the side? Stick a knife into it and coax the Ketchup out? Honestly, one of the most infuriating parts of...
Faithful Presence: A Testimony of Discipleship

Faithful Presence: A Testimony of Discipleship

When I was eleven I started going to youth group at our new church, The Yakima Vineyard. I remember my first visit vividly because I was so anxious about not being old enough. I had visions of someone asking my age and kicking me out! That didn’t happen, obviously,...