Contagious Gumby

Over the past 20 year of doing skits and street dramas I have a selection of pieces that are amazing but I have to tell you over the past two nights our kids have creatively owned these pieces. Wow they are exceptional in their energy and their creatively. They are serving like crazy but having a crazy good time doing it. There was such a spiritual release around the venue last night after the altar time that the place was buzzing with the JOY of the Lord! There are some things that I love about the Irish culture in the area of outward expression of themselves that is engaging. Our kids fit right into this culture and we have had such a empowering time.

We painted, cleaned, served, played with kids, face painted, set up a street coffee bar and served people. What an amazing day on the street and in the flats of Dublin. As I talked with everyone last night there was just a buzz about the reality of serving those you truly don’t know to just demonstrate indiscriminate acts of kindness. To perpetrate those acts you must have leaders who organize for it to be on this scale and the team at Urban Soul for this being a first time have done a masterful job of making this happen. We are so happy to be a part of this new thing and seeing it take shape is inspiring.

We have two more days to impact people all around us. Today is the day that the wall of energy and adrenaline starts to fade thin so pray for us that this would be a deeply spiritual day as me move in God’s strength and not our own because I am pretty sure our own is spent. We will have a glorious day off on Saturday but right now there is still strategic and incredibly important Kingdom business to accomplish.

All are well and healthy and I am believing for a fantastic day! It is raining which is what is does here in Ireland but may the Son shine out today as we go!

God Bless

Xtremely HIs

Kevin

 

Urban Soul

I love stretching. Can I tell you that this “second” week of our missions trip is going to be exciting and stretching for everyone. We are teaming together with youth from all over Ireland and from the states and from other countries to go into Dublin to be “Jesus with skin on.” Our kids are on project teams with others so they get to once again build relationships with teenagers and “infect them” with their courage and boldness.

Everyone is feeling great and after all our travel by buses, trains and planes all of them are feeling great maybe just a bit tired but last night was a great night. We are all now together and in Dublin at a place called Jacobs Inn. It is a great hostel in the heart of Dublin right near the City Centre. You can see it on the web if you would like. St Marks Cathedral is where we are meeting for all our orientation and night time events.

Pray that we will have a very successful day today as we care for God’s people.

Xtremely His

Kevin

Kevin

 

Solstice

a 3.5 million eruo facility with state of the art lights, sound and equipment was built by the Meath Council for the city of Navan to host concerts and arts events. Last night two of the teams came together to make one big team as we ended the work at the Solstice. It will seat 325 and our prayer was it would be packed but we also know that it could have 20 people…..we just didn’t know what a week of outreach would do. We opened the doors at 7:15 and by 8:05 over 200 students from the community had filled this building with life and activity. The place was buzzing because most of these kids had not been inside this brand new facility.

By the time we were done, xm productions, Dundalk band and Reggie speaking over 100 students responded to an altar call and received a gift of a bible and a book about faith. What an outstanding night as we once again teamed together with drama and ministry to make a difference.

At Summer Madness the team from Ballymena were on stage in front of over 5000 students and by giving an altar call at the end most of the Child Safety Suggestions were blown away because of the number of students who responded to a very strong message of not being a part of a “slow fade”

All of our teams now head to Dublin to be together for the first time as a missions team and we are anticipating what is going to happen into the inner city of Dublin and through the event Urban Soul.

Solstice by the way is the longest day of the year and there are tomb mounds not far from Navan where that Kings are buried that on that one day of the year are lit internally by a light shaft into the burial chamber. It only works on that day. No other. Really a wild thing when you think about it. Can I tell you last night the Solstice was lit not by the sun being in the right position but by the SON being in exactly the right position for all those students. Praise God for what he is doing!
Xtremely His
Kevin

 

What a Sunday!

100 burgers and 96 sausages later the Dundalk team ministered to a great crowd. Alex spoke and the team ministered and things were amazing. In Ballymena the team finished their ministry in the church by putting together their own closing rally and finishing super strong. Tomorrow morning they get up really early and go the Summer Madness to present the gospel in drama one more time! Praise God for this strong team and for all that they have done! In Navan the church here had a record crowd of 46 adult plus a whole bunch of kids. The outreach has brought people in to make this a strong transition from one pastor to the other. The leaving pastor was overwhelmed as we took on childrens church and ministered in the service. Over all….WHAT A SUNDAY! God has once again truly used our teams in local churches to bless them and spur them on to more ministry to young people.

I am so pleased with all our teams and their leaders as we continue to expand this ministry of building up youth ministry and the local church in Ireland God has teamed us up with new and energetic pastor who have a drive to reach their town no matter the cost in time or money. We are believing that God will continue what has been started.

A couple of prayer needs for our team right now would be that we would see a harvest of souls at the Solstice stage in Navan, that all of our teams would arrive back in Dublin energized and ready to take on our “second” missions trip, and that all the pieces that are going to make Urban Soul great would fall into place completely. We are believing for this to be a super successful first conference in Dublin that will impact teenagers and families alike.

What a Sunday. We were up talking till just a little while ago about how amazing God has been to our youth ministry to give us so many “priceless” moments.

Tonight the Navan team stood on top of a former Druid mound in Tara and prayed a blessing on the new pastor and the one who is handing over the church to him. We prayed right on the spot where all things spiritual in Navan from past centuries would have taken a terrible twist toward evil, ( human sacrifices and every form of perverted wickedness you can think of) . We prayed up there declaring that this is a new day dawning In Navan where God gives hope to a generation that is hopeless. He gives a future instead of just the same old addictions over and over and that He raises up those who will be the beginning of this new thing. The gates of Hell can not stand in the way of what God has intended for this church and city.

What a Sunday!

Xtremely His
Kevin

 

Firsts!

Wow what a couple of days for our teams in Ireland. We did some firsts on this trip!!! This is the first time ever in Navan that a team has ever been allowed to be INSIDE the shopping center doing street evangelism not just for a short time but from 1 to 6. The response was fantastic. I couldn’t have been prouder of our team. We have handed out over 1000 invitations to our Monday night event at the Solstice. Which by the way this is the first ever FREE event in this brand new state of the art performance facility built for the arts in Navan. Would you believe and pray with us that we will see this 320 seat auditorium full and that somehow out of this there would spring up a youth group that would affect the towns destiny and future?

In Ballymena, they have had tremendous success. Kathryn Taylor and Nick Melberg’s team have been on the radio, presented 3 /40 minute school assemblies (which is a first for our team ) and they were in a shopping center in their town center as well. They have been given favor to do evangelism into two of the most important venues in town. They are building toward a great night Sunday night of outreach into their community with a night rally. They have handed out many invitations and I look forward to face to face conversations with them in just a couple days to hear what God has done.

In Dundalk the team has been on the radio which is a first and they are involved in street outreach and kids ministry. They continue to fulfill our mission of being servant minded as they have painted and worked on the church building, to finish it off of being completely renovated. This has taken place since we started to partner with them in ministry three years ago. They will be hosting a huge BBQ on Sunday night to reach out to family and friends of those who faithfully attend this body of believers. This has become a huge annual event where there is just an open door into peoples heart because of great food and lots of love!

As well head into services today there will be many individual first for team members to preach and sing and minister along with our fellow believers here in Ireland. I cannot wait to hear all the stories of today and the stretching that has taken place with our teams. Joining together with those who work in this field all the time to share their burden of ministry is so incredibly thrilling and fruitful.

I am continuing to have firsts as well. I went to my first ever Brazilian BBQ. It is amazing. They just start by putting all kinds of meat on the grill and then continuing to cook for the rest of the evening. Offering it to you hot as they cut it and prepare it. It was glorious. Definitely a first everyone should have. Our whole team enjoyed the evening a lot. I also for the first time was taught how to play rugby. We had us a good “scrum” in the back yard. I know that there are more rules to this game than any other I have ever played, because at every point I wanted to do something to win there was a “rule” against my actions. We had a great time being at our host pastors house and sharing in their family and their traditions.

I had one more first yesterday. I am learning all the time about what it is to be a “father” to this generation and to be a part of this “family” We are truly blessed with all the kids who are a part of our teams. Their willingness to serve at whatever price tag with no regard for personal comfort is overwhelming at times. I watched as team members put aside their own reservations or “fears” and acted out their commitment to the kingdom. At personal cost and expense, they still do what they have layed out in front of them. I am so fiercely proud of WHO they are in Christ. I believe because of their actions they will be history makers in this country at a time when spiritual birth is taking place in and among teenagers. Something new is happening here and I am so thankful to be a part!

Xtremely His
Kevin

 

Why Ireland?

Our pastor of the church in Navan who is newly installed just last week as the pastor asked me a couple of questions as we have traveled back and forth to our ministry site. One was why youth ministry? I had to reply that I love it and that I truly believe God has positioned Ann and I as “spiritual parents” to a whole generation of kids who will go into the ministry and be world changers. Not just in America but around the world. We are so fulfilled in discipling and training the next leaders of the church. Hopefully what we have modeled will look a whole lot like what Jesus did with his disciples. Walking slowly through the crowd with them and teaching on the go not just in a classroom.

Then he asked me the question “why Ireland?” You have to realize he is a new pastor of a 4 year old church plant at the age of 21. As he asks that question he has told me his story of getting saved and being influenced by exactly what we are doing this week, boldly proclaiming the love of Jesus through relational contact. He would be aggressive toward anyone who would stop to talk with him, but as we talked with 6 teenagers he positioned himself strategically to hear the whole conversation and as we were driving away he commented on how much those kids were like him and he is now a pastor of the church here. Supernatural thing happen!!

Why Ireland, well over 15 years ago I was scheduled to come to Ireland with Gary Davidson through Lakeside First Assembly of God when I made the move to come Owasso to be the youth pastor and from that the opportunity changed. When I moved to Fort Myers one of the first questions that I was asked was where do you want to go and take kids on missions trips. I replied Ireland just as quick as I was asked the question. Now five years, ten trips, 20 school assemblies and over 150 kids later we are making a difference in the youth culture here one student at a time. God has allowed me to befriend some of the greatest, most passionate first generation ministers to students here and I thrive on all this “first” stuff.

Why Ireland? Because God has directed my steps from as early as my summer spent in London in college ,to not think inside the box but to thing kingdom minded and see where that takes you.

why Ireland? because of simple obedience God has given me the desires of my heart. Ann and Maci and I are making a difference in a country through the vehicle of youth ministry. Somehow God has given us the ability to connect and influence them through love and time spent.

I read a book last night before going to bed by Bill Hybels about when Leadership Principles Collide with Holy Spirit Led Leadership decisions. In it he dealt with mans wisdom gained through experience and the opposite side when Jesus did what was against all those principles to reach and touch people. As I was reading it, I simply renewed my decision to be a disciple of Jesus and not of any other person or book or ministry group. Sometimes the path Jesus takes you on doesn’t make a lick of sense to the world but in His kingdom those simple choices made for Him, changes lives forever around the world.

Why Ireland? Because God burned it into my heart to go, so I went. I’m in love with God and he’s in love with me, this is who I am and this is who I’ll be, that settles it, completely!

Xtremely His

Kevin

 

Ireland: land of many opportunities

Wow what a first ministry day here in Ireland. We had a team be on the radio, do 3 school assemblies, street outreach, mall outreach, kids clubs and a bunch of other things that all have worked out over the past 3 weeks. The towns we are in have worked out brilliantly and we are building toward a big outreach night in Navan and in Ballymena. God had this planned out well before we knew how all the pieces would work out.

I have had the personal opportunity to talk with many Irish lads myself and it once again brings me back to the fact that everyone is responsible for the opportunities that come your way. Not always are you going to be on a team. Sometimes it is going to require just YOU to have faith and boldness and trust that the word is true where it says that you will get the right words at the right time to be a minister of the gospel. We engaged in conversation tons of teenagers about there need for something to do and thankfully in our town there is something to do Xtreme and the friendship and family that stem from that. Would you pray just a little extra time that in the towns we are in that we could “birth” the same thing here in Ireland. They desperately need it. Read 1 John 3 as you pray and see if what I am talking about doesn’t become crystal clear to you.

Parents, all are well. Everyone has there luggage and all ministry went fantastic today. Thanks for trusting me with your kids and for allowing me to shape their eternal destiny and future. God Bless.

Xtremely His

Kevin

 

Ireland arrival all on time

We have all arrived in Dublin actually on time for the first time in all the 10 times I have been here. We sorted everyone out to there respective towns and as I write this everyone is set for today. I am excited as we get ready this afternoon to go tour our town of Navan and prepare to do one on one outreach to fill a 350 seat auditorium by Monday night. Quite a task to complete but our kids are up for it. Everyone is feeling great, the flight was uneventful and things went as smooth as we could ever plan it. Pray for our team in Ballymena they will be doing three 40 minute school assemblies tomorrow morning. They are prepared and this could be a huge boost for the church there to gain influence. Thanks again for trusting us with your kids. Nick T thanks for getting us to the airport and thank Kara for all the behind the scene things that make today run so smooth. God Bless!

Xtremely His

Kevin

 

Leaving on a jet plane

I have a fantastic youth group and the team that is traveling with me to Ireland is amazing. I have spent a lot of time with teenagers over the past 20 years and this group in preparation for ministry has been top shelf. As we have found out new twists and turns on this adventure they have met it with huge energy and the we can attitude that has forever marked xtreme.

We are packed and ready to travel and as we go I am encouraged in the Lord of all the things that will happen while we are in Navan, Ballymena and Dundalk. May the Lord continue to open doors to reach those who just don’t know Jesus in the way that I do.

I am truly excited about this trip and can’t wait for tomorrow when we are leaving on a jet plane

Xtremely His

Kevin

 

Having the touch!

Jesus always had the right touch with people.   He knew how to handle those who were bent on getting under His skin and he knew how to touch those who were “unclean”.    Jesus made an artform of drawing people to him especially those who the rest of society had pushed away.    He did it with great story telling and with just “slowly walking through the crowd”.  There was much time invested with this core of people who He would propel into the world to change it in just a few short years.   He went where they were at and stayed, had supper with them, talked with them and challenged their thinking.    He didn’t let much stay just on the surface instead He would dig just a little deeper into their souls to challenge them even when they didn’t fully understand Him.    I have to imagine that it wasn’t always a somber event as they traveled and ministered to those in need.

Tonight I had just another little glimple of what Jesus must have had when his hard working team of disciples took time out to eat and just be “real” people.   There must have been some kidding going on and there must have been something to keep the table buzzing about the day or the days just ahead.    Excitement building of what would occur next, that they could proclaim with joy and great energy that Jesus had done.    What an atmosphere for a miracle and for a great time of being a part of history.

I am thrilled with the team of people that I have around me as I look into their eyes and their souls as we set out on this next adventure.    I wouldn’t have it any other way….all their personalities and quirks all wrapped up into this package of a team that together can do things that no one by themself could pull off.    I hope and pray that I can continue to develop somehow the touch that Jesus had with people to get them to believe and to continue in their walk of faith no matter what happens next.

Jesus touch reached all the way to our table tonight…..   How far will your touch reach, how far will my touch reach?   I believe if I touch with His hand, His compassion and His care……my “touch” can be like His….   somehow let me leave behind the masters fingerprints on what I touch….not mine but His!

Xtremely His
Kevin