Seasons

Saturday was a big moment in my life. I was in Green Bay to do the Ys One Day which is my last YS One Day (formerly the CORE) forever. I have had the privilege of traveling around the country for the last 6 years speaking to thousands of youth workers just like me who are on the front lines with students. My travels have taken me to all but 8 states and to cities like Fargo,North Dakota, Lebanon, New Hampshire and a host of other small cities but also to places like Boston, D.C. and Atlanta. I have been to over 60+ cities in six years and have had crowds as small as 12 people to as big as over 400. It has been an incredible ride. 

It has been an amazing season of my life. When I started I had been married less than a year and had no children. How life has changed. The first thing I ever did as a member of the YS presenting team was go to Saddleback Church to be a part of a test run of the CORE that year. It was held shortly after Mike Yaconelli died. I was the only new member of the team that year and the only person in the room who didn't know Mike personally. Everyone else was grieving in such a deep personal way, it was somewhat of an awkward beginning to my time with YS. I do remember that Dan Jessup took me to Ruth Chris steakhouse for my first YS meal when I first arrived. It would be an example of how well YS would treat me over the next six years.

It has been an incredible privilege for me to be a part of this team, one for which I am eternally grateful. I was given an opportunity that so few our given. Many times I have wondered why God allowed me to be a part of this, for I am so unworthy. I have learned so much from my time with these people. I have seen such excellence, experienced community, brutal honesty, beautiful flaws, teamwork and through it all people who passionately love Jesus. I hope I gave as much to this team as they have given to me and the same for the youth workers I met on the road.

I want to especially thank Tic and Marko for believing in me an entrusting the YS name and history of excellent youth ministry into my hands wherever I went to represent the company. You have both made a huge impact on my life and it has been awesome to learn from you and serve alongside of you. Thanks for the generosity you have shown my wife and I over these years. Also to all of the YS staff who was so awesome to me, even when I didn't get my stuff in on time. Thanks Carrie, Michelle and all the rest.

I am so grateful to my teammates and the friendships that have been formed over these last six years. You all made the journey so much fun. I had such great times with Dave, Fred, Danny, Megan, Marv and Heather.  It was so cool to become friends with people like Duffy, Chap and Les who I had read their books as a young youth pastor, unbelievable! Can't wait to see all of you at the end of May. I also want to thank Brock Morgan who has become such a close friend, confidant and ministry partner. If nothing else amazing had come out of this, it would all be worth it because we have become friends.

I am sad when seasons of life end, by nature I am a sentimental person and relational changes are very hard for me. So in the midst of being sad, I am excited for what adventure God has waiting. I will still be teaching at the YS Conventions but it won't quite be like being on this team.

Some final words to my fellow YS teammates to never forget: GAMES IS FUN!

Love you guys!

Comments

[Brock Morgan]

Dude - I love you bro! Cant wait to hang out in a couple of weeks. Lets just move you out here to oregon. Im ready!

[Bret]

I had the amazing opportunity to attend your recent YS Session in the Boston area. Your presentation was fantastic, moving, motivating and dare I say, "life changing." Thank you. YS is certainly losing a great teacher, but obviously, their lose is another's gain. Good luck and God bless.

[Alexander Wilhelmsen]

I'd say that this really could be a long hiatus, if they leave the door open there. Sure you have family now, but if you're allow to bring family along and they wouldn't mind having you for just a few sites a year, that could be fun.

Then again, I don't know how they set up who goes where.

Anyways, be happy thought that you're giving up something positive for another positive and other opportunities. There's a few life changes that I've had lately myself, but it's not from one positive into another positive or opportunity. Well, some positives, but one glaring negative.

Hope to see you again in a month or so, and if you feel like moving, stick to the Eastern Time Zone, and dare I say... Florida?

[Jessica Harrison]

Mark, I had the privilege of attending in Green Bay and I enjoyed every minute of it! I was sad to hear that this would be the last year for the Ys One Day. I felt even more blessed to have been able to attend because of that. I wish you all the best as you end this leg of the journey and begin the next. Thanks for serving!

Blessings