MY NIGHT WITH THE REACH RECORDS UNASHAMED TOUR

Last Wednesday I had the opportunity to drive up to Lima and take in the Reach Records Unashamed tour. In one word it was incredible so I thought I would scribble down some thoughts…..

• The concert was put on by my friend Tug Taviano and his organization Rock4Food.
• Rock4Food just got their 501c3 and is taking what they do to a whole nother’ level.
• Tug is always putting on shows and telling me to come up. Every time I want to go to one it seems I have something going on. Last time he brought in Lecrae and the guys it killed me to not be there so this time I promised myself I would not miss it since I and the rest of American are increasingly aware of how awesome they are and wanted to see them perform.
• I hadn’t missed an HSM Wednesday yet this year and I actually like to miss one a semester to make sure I am not building a program dependent on me.
• I remember seeing the DC Talk Jesus Freak tour in 1996 and hearing it was the biggest Christian tour to that point and knowing it would change the game forever.
• This tour was doing things that Christian hip-hop has not seen. Venues sold out, crowds over 1,000, good production, and showmanship.
• As an added bonus Tug had John Reuben come up and open the night. It’s always good to see Johnny Reubonic.
• I knew Tug was going to take care of us and roll out the red carpet. I love to be treated well at a concert (sad truth I have entitlement issues) but I wanted to see someone else spoiled so I took a guy from youth group (Sam Moore). Watching same eat backstage, drool on Lecrae, sit in on pre-show devotions with the guys, and pretend to battle at the end of the night was so fun for me.
• Mark Clayton (receiver for the St. Louis Rams) was there and partnered for the show. It was great to get to talk to him and just see his demeanor and walk up close. Love seeing guys who are great NFL players living for God.
• Speaking of devotions with the guys before the show it was so refreshing the see their hearts and get to pray with them. I have been at shows where the guys on stage don’t deserve the platform but this was the complete opposite.  The whole night was focused on Jesus and glorifying his name.
• It is so great to see people talking deep theology in music. Cross Movement started it and I even heard Lecrae say they were his blueprint, and all night I honestly felt like I was being fed and not just entertained.
• Many have heard of Lecrae after he has some albums under his belt, has been featured on CNN, topped two Billboard charts, and made waves on itunes. If you haven’t you need to get these songs.
• From Lecrae’s new album Rehab – High, Children of the light, and Background
• From Trip Lee’s album Between Two Worlds – The Invasion and Snitch
• From Sho Baracka’s album Lions and Liars – The rising and Kobe Bryant on em
• I could go on all day but I had fun, was ministered too, and my inner 10 year old hip-hop head had fun. A great night and I can’t wait to do it again.

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10 VERY RANDOM THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR

1. I work at a church where I got to beat box as an illustration for my teaching on a Sunday morning.  I know all youth pastors get frustrated sometimes but as I was beat boxing I was thinking wow I am lucky to be in this place. You can download the message here.
2. We had a great crowd at our grace group last night. Our group multiplied each of the last two years so it felt so rushed and different. That was awesome, but I love that this year we are going to settle in and put our crap on the table. I think this season is more about slow leadership development. I want to look back and know that 4 guys in my group are leading groups in 3 years.
3. I haven’t been to my ministry conference for this year yet. I missed Catalyst and Story (probably my first two choices) so I am considering Drive, The Whiteboard Sessions (if it happens), or Unleash (if it happens) +visiting some sweet churches in the south.
4. Kalahari 2011 is coming. I love the results I see in my students. It is never just an event. I love the weekend, I love the churches we work with, I love the pastors and friends I’ve made.
5. I have more friends and awesome people to hang out with than I know what to do with. Might sound weird but I now young pastors who feel isolated in their part of the country or in their own church. I have opposite problem. I have 3 small groups worth of people in my church, our staff, my youth staff, pastors in the NCO, local family, and local friends. I am a blessed man.
6. God has been growing me a ton. I have mentioned in previous posts it is a different season of ministry but I can see the fruit and lesson from it as I am walking and I am thankful.
7. I am happy musically. As promised this is weird and random but with my personality if I am not doing something musically I get frustrated over time. I am leading worship and loving it, and my friends and me have done 2 coffeehouse shows since summer. Now I just gotta make my EP before I turn 30.
8. Canaan is almost one. For us this marks a shift in parenting with nursing, etc. I had it for a few months after Malachi but this time it should be longer.  Freedom, date nights, flexibility…oh how I have missed you.
9. I get to teach a youth module for The National Institute in January. I want to always be investing in up and coming people and those younger than me and I like that this class happens and makes sure I am doing it.
10. We are upping our game at our church and (re)building our student ministry team and oversight. We have some great people signed up and some I didn’t now if we could get or not.  We reeled in the big catches
11. MY WIFE IS HOT….bonus