From the mind of Ben Nunes
This is not a phrase a leadership team wants to hear after a youth retreat. One in which most would consider to be an amazing weekend, but being on the “front lines” so to speak can put some wear and tear on somebody like me. The youth ministry that both Kim and I volunteer in, is definitely not for the faint of heart.
Bullying
Drugs
Peer pressure
Divorce
Depression
Eating disorders
Abandonment
Abuse
Neglect
Suicide… Continue Reading…
Walking ahead
One of the struggles we have as a family when it comes to our weekly family nights, is finding stuff to do. Continue Reading…
Madi,
You are now 8 years old, and I can’t believe it was 8 years ago God showed Kim and I our first (of many) true miracles through you, in your 3 day stay at the hospital.
As a middle child you have proven yourself to break the mold and stereotype of a typical “Middle Child.” You have a true identity, you know when you are heard and your independence to go out and be your own little person impresses me to no end.
As a father, I am extremely blessed to be able to watch you grow into a little lady who is creative beyond our wildest imaginations, who makes us laugh with your outrageous jokes, and who reminds me every day what a joy it is to be able to call you…
…my daughter. Continue Reading…
Sometimes you come across situations that can make what one does volunteering in youth ministry seem like it’s all for naught, and other times the little part that you play in a persons life while volunteering makes it all worth it.
For instance, this past Sunday I was confronted by one of my boys who brought a friend. His request to me was to “bring him into our small group because he’s not found one yet.”
Normally, I would walk him over to an area with some people who would help him “connect” with other students who go to the same school as him, but since his friend brought him I thought it would be best for him to hang with our group and we can deal with it later. This Sunday’s group was led by my other 2 co-leaders since I was sitting in for another group, but after church let out I made it back over to see how they were doing. I was worried that by not letting him go through “the system” he might not be able to connect long-term with people who go to his school.
So I walk over and see that the new guy seemed to be fitting in. He even asked if he could come to our pool party later on in the day. So we gave him the address and we all went on our way.
Continue Reading…
I often speak of how Kim and I serve in the Middle School environment called “Transit,” because it is no secret that we have a passion for this age of youth and how we absolutely are blessed in walking with these kids through their most difficult times of their lives.
For the past month Kiersten has joined us in Transit and will be “doing life” with her very own small group leaders along with about 20 other 6th grade girls. Well today is her first day of school, and I had thought about having a nice little sit down with said leaders, just to give them a heads up as to what to expect from our darling little Kissy kiss.
Me not being a helicopter parent, I decided to just write a quick little letter to them.
