Indiana Youth Alive

More than meets the eye!

2012-01-18T11:20:00.000-05:00

Well friends, as I was scouring our local news I stumbled upon an article with a interesting picture...

As I read the title...oh...Indiana Youth Group...thats interesting.

Come to find out, Indiana, a seemingly conservative state has joined Maryland as one of two states to offer a specialty license plate supporting gay, lesbian, transgendered and bisexual teenagers.

Not necessarily the "Indiana Youth Group" I was thinking of. Nor would many others who may see it and be interested in buying it thinking they are sending money to help what many church-goers may think is a religious 'youth group'.

Quite the opposite!

If you're wondering what the "Indiana Youth Group" does...one thing specifically...and directly from the news article.

"The Indianapolis-based IYG operates an activity center, helps develop Gay Straight Alliances in high schools and assists communities in forming youth services."

Now, I for one understand that Jesus Christ taught us that we must love one another, but at the same time we must not be ignorant about what the early church (aka. Christ and his disciples, you know the ones whom we form our doctrines off of!) have to say about the oft-taboo and untouchable subjects concerning homosexuality.

The apostle Paul makes probably the strongest argument concerning the sin which is homosexuality in the New Testament text of Romans 1:24-32 where he says...

24 So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies.25 They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.26 That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other.

27 And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.
28 Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done.29 Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip.30 They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents.31 They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy.

32 They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too. Romans 1:24-32 NLT

Now, I'm not here to have an online debate with philosophers, just to illuminate a very relevant subject which is occurring in the state I live, which reflects the state of the age we live in.

I'm not here to "gay-bash" or speak ill. My friends who are in a gay lifestyle know where I stand on the issue, and they also know that I believe God loves them, yet as for ALL of us (myself included) none of us will enter into the kingdom of heaven unless we are born-again and free from all sin.

So, yes, I'm sure this blog post (if even noticed) may generate strong emotions, it's not intended and won't stop people from buying a license plate. (Nor should it!) I'm not here to tell you what to do, but what I do want to do is let those who may see something particular like the words (Indiana Youth Group) on a specialty plate in the BMV and let them know...BUYER BEWARE! This is not your church's youth group! Haha!

On one final note. I would be remissed if not to say that this is yet one more MAJOR reminder to the fact that Tiffany and I need to be fully funded and on these school campuses NOW. We are at $250 in new monthly support away from being fully funded and RELEASED into the full time missions work we have been called to. The Gay-Straight Alliance is becoming HUGE on school campuses, and while we in no way shape or form want to eradicate them, rather we need a feasible, tangible presence of God on our school campuses to bring light to where it is needed most. Now more than ever.

If you don't support Indiana Youth Alive with monthly missions support? Would you seriously take a minute and pray about how you could be involved?

Here are a couple links for your review...

The News Article from the Indianapolis Star

Indiana Youth Group - The GLBT Organization

The Campus Alliance - Which YA is a part of

Set up a faith promise to help Tiffany and I reach these schools TODAY!

Praying for a strong finish!

2012-01-10T12:08:00.000-05:00

I was working out the other day and started off strong as is normal. But man, as my workout on the ARC trainer progressed and the resistance levels went up with my heart rate, my stamina went down!

My legs grew achy and tired and I of course was winded! But I pressed on!

Such is where we have been as we have itinerated as missionaries with Youth Alive! There have been many peaks and valleys in this process but we are praying and seeking God to help us finish strong!

Our knees may grow tired and stamina run low, but we are roughly $300 in monthly support away from being FULLY FUNDED MISSIONARIES!

Please take a second and pray WITH us today for this to finish quickly so we can get onto school campuses across Indiana and begin to reach students with the Love of Christ!

If you know someone with an extra $50, $25 or even $10 a month please tell them about our ministry to the over 700 schools and 640,000 students in Indiana!

Print out the form on this website and send it in or follow this link to help!
http://usmissions.ag.org/get_involved/donate_fp_online.cfm

WE WILL FINISH STRONG!
Josh

Thanksgiving...an action word!

2011-11-28T11:26:00.000-05:00

Well, we have just made it through another Thanksgiving season! Which for us has meant, we have survived another Indiana Youth Convention!

I just wanted to take a moment and say thank you to all of our faithful partners out there today! Whether you pray for us, financially support the ministry or just spread the news of Youth Alive and pour into students wherever you are...THANKS!

We had a great idea at this years youth convention to take our school lockers and give students the opportunity to autograph them along with their school and what year they graduate! It was a HUGE hit! We had a ton of students come hang out with us and got to share with many of them about what it means to be a Campus Missionary in their school!

So now we take a deep breath, press on through the craziness of the holiday season and I'm looking forward to taking a brief vacation over Christmas! How about you!?!?!

Blessings on all of you today! We definitely ALL have a ton to be thankful for!

Josh

Straight out of their mouths

2011-11-15T13:50:00.000-05:00

To have a first person view of being a teenager in the middle of the mission field we're trying to reach we've included some reports from students we've received. Some students are absolutely thriving, and others need some encouragement! You can see a first hand glimpse at the victories and the struggles of doing this Jesus thing for real!

"this month, a girl in my french class would always look upset... and me being a guy, was kind of uncomfortable talking to her. while this was happening our choir class was selling chocolate and everyday i would buy one of my own bars and would eat it during french. and one day while i was eating it, i just felt led to give her a piece of chocolate, so i did. i did it for three days. not even a week later i got a message over facebook saying thank you. she explained she has been having the toughest time, and it really ment a lot to her. i realized how easy it is to go out of our own ways and make someone's day, and when we start doing that we can make impacts on their lives. even if it is as somthing as small as a piece of chocolate, it means somthing to someone... even if we dont have much God has given us things to bless other people with, and my eyes have been opened. i need to start living it more, praying more, giving, living, and tell! its time to take a stand... who knows whose life you can impact with a simple thing as chocolate. PTL!"

"Yay!! I finally have my cm profile back! This month I think was a time for me to learn. See You at the Pole and Pike Central was for the first time in a good long time not so great. I think the biggest problem was that we didn't prepare like we should have. However, mistake made, and lesson learned. The mistake we made inspired our FCA though, and we are now planning a youth rally for our school in the spring. :)"

"well.. first i will start off with informing you that my friend that was in an accident is now back to school, healed, and doing well. PRAISE THE LORD!! And now for my six period class. the sophomore that sits behind me and i got into a convo one day. i jokingly asked if he knew where liars went. he replied "yeah, i happen to have a hotel there." "well, wouldn't you much rather have a mansion in heaven? " "if i even make it" then a few days later, him, myself, and Wade got on the subject of good and bad. i told them i believed they were good kids that made bad choices and that they could do good if they wanted. they said they'd been on both sides and it was just more fun to do the bad things. i then looked at weston and asked if he still went to to church.. kinda knowing he didn't. he just looked at me. i said "you dont do you?" and he asked how i know that cause i'd only known him a few weeks. i said idk.. God. then about a week later, i passed him a note that was written as if it was Jesus wrote. it quoted bible verses and gave the message that no matter what he did, God ALWAYS forgave me, ALWAYS loved him, and would never forget him because he always thought about him. he later thanked me. seeds are being planted but i want more!!!! :)"

There ya have it folk! The ups and downs of being a Campus Missionary! I love these kids and love how they're rocking out for Jesus!

Opinions...every one has them!

2011-11-08T10:47:00.002-05:00

Well, today is November 8, 2011. It's Election Day here in Indiana and I have always been told that unless I vote I don't really have a reason to publicly share my opinion on those who hold office around me. So, I'm heading out after this blog post to take part in my civic duty and right to vote, so that I can share my personal opinions about the shape and state of my community and country!

Now, I've been sitting here thinking this morning about all of this and you know me, I always seem to find a way to draw it back to schools! Many folks I talk to on a weekly basis would like to tell me how bad their schools have gotten or the lack of respect and the bad behavior many students possess in their community.

My question is always, "What are you doing to change that?"

I've had this mentality since I was in middle school, because I used to see myself as a victim of my circumstances (and we've all been there!). I was overweight, nerdy, definitely not able to afford designer clothing and so therefore I allowed myself to see myself as a victim. It wasn't until one teacher got ahold of me and helped me realize that those things were only materialistic and outward, but it was what I possessed on the inside of me that made me unique. It made me Josh Pearman, and I had to allow that to come out in spite of my circumstances. No matter how much money my family had, no matter what kind of clothes I wore. No matter how obese I was in the moment those things could all be temporary. They are changable. The talents, intelligence and drive that lived within me was what was unique only to me.

I could harness what was uniquely within myself to change the outward things surrounding me. So often we see the worst in people, in the world, in our students. But we don't want to think that WE could be the catalyst needed for change. Change takes time. It's typically not instantaneous and it definitely requires work and investment of TIME!

So many of us don't have that luxury. Or at least we don't allow ourselves that luxury. Think of it like this...you and I have the same amount of hours in our day as the founders of America. The same 24 hours of the day that Elvis Presley or Steve Jobs had. The same 24 hours in each day that Jesus and his disciples had to work with! We have allowed ourselves to be over-stimulated by technology and other wasteful things that hog our time! Let's work to invest what little time we do have to affect change in those around us! Then, after having done all of that, if nothing changes we can at least say we did our part!

Josh

Jack-o-Lantern Pizzas, Blisters, and our schools.

2011-11-01T12:07:00.000-04:00

Last night Tiffany and I had invited a friend over to eat dinner and watch the fall classic "The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown".

So being the great chef I am, (or would like to think I am) I sent Tiffany out to get one of those awesome Papa Murphy's Jack-o-Lantern pizzas and cheese sticks!

So as that was baking to a crispy golden brown at 425 degrees I put one of Tiffany's hot pink oven gloves on my right hand and pulled out the oven rack to see if the pizza was ready. Like an idiot I grabbed the same 425 degree oven rack with my left hand. Yeah. Not smart. Needless to say within seconds my lil self had a nice throbbing blister on my hand.

Did you know it's difficult to type like my awesome Keyboard teacher taught me to in High School when you have limited access to your left hand?!

Thank God I'm Right Handed!

Anyways, I didn't have to go in for like a skin graft or anything...it just smarted quite a bit.

*Smarted = Hurt like heck.

So I was sitting here admiring the battle scar which the Jack-O-Lantern pizza inspired this morning and I thought about how this really reminded me of the process it sometimes takes to get onto a school campus.

You see we live in a Microwave world. We LOVE for things to happen right away...and OUR way! (Thanks Burger King!)

We sometimes try and apply the Microwave principle to getting on to school campuses. I want to punch pastors and leaders in the throat when I hear "My school is closed because I can't eat school lunch". (I'll be punching with my right hand since my left is slightly feeble...consider yourself warned)

But in all seriousness we attempt to force our way on through methods that don't work. You can't microwave something that is meant to cook in the oven! And vice-versa! In order to get a good presence on school campuses we need to follow some instructions.

Pre Heat the oven!

Aka. Create an environment for your students and yourself where YOU would be welcomed. Make yourself an asset. Don't try and show up simply to be noticed. In all honesty thats what I think of when I think of people who just want to eat lunch at schools. Ask your school administration/athletic offices for opportunities to serve. Simply ask...you may be suprised the doors that open! The more they see you serving...the more the environment is ready for things to get cookin!

Don't rush the cookin!

Sometimes things are a process. That pizza looked so yummy to me I rushed to pull it out before I should have and in a hurry I burnt myself in the process. I jumped the gun. Be careful not to burn bridges or yourself or relationship with the school/community because you think from the outside it looks primed, done, cooked, but really inside it's still cookin. Pace yourself.

Enjoy...and have others enjoy it WITH you!
I think one of the best things that you can do is when you have a relationship with your schools, help others (YES other Youth Pastors or leaders) develop relationships in that school or system. After all you don't really think that you're called to eat all that pizza by yourself do you? :)

Enjoy!
Josh

Awesome "out of the box" Outreach Idea!

2011-10-31T11:31:00.000-04:00

This month, we are proud to announce one of our very own Youth Alive clubs in NW Indiana at Kankakee Valley High came up with a cool idea and way to reach out to a family in need in their community...not only that, but to get the rest of their school to catch the vision of Christ by helping those in need!

Here is a CM Report from the President of KVYA Grace!

_________________________

This past month our Youth Alive Club had its first meeting and project. For our first meeting we had 21 people come which was so inspiring to see as the president. As soon as we met we planned out our first project. We came up with doing a project for a homeschooled friend of mine who has Leukemia. When filling out a fundraiser sheet for a school hat day, getting it signed, and waiting to see if it would be approved by the school I was constantly praying. The Vice principal came to me and told me that our project wasn't passed due to that someone else was already doing a hat project. The Vice Principal asked me to come up with a different idea because he believed that the cause was a great one. After talking to others, praying, and doing more planning, we proposed the idea of giving orange cancer ribbons (the color that represents Leukemia) to whoever donates a $1 or more, and the first hour class that would donate the most would get a donut breakfast. The school decided that it was a great idea and passed it. After MUCH planning, organizing, cutting and pinning ribbons, putting up posters, and talking to others we had our Building Up Amanda Day. With this one project we raised over $1,100 that we are going to give to Amanda and her family. To raise this much money was so incredible. We didn't expect to raise that much. God is so awesome in his faithfulness when he gives you a passion for a cause.

__________________________

What a great testimony and idea to get the school on board! We know Amanda personally and Tiffany and I have visited with her on multiple occasions while she was at Riley's Children's Hospital in Indy. I know that this is going to be a huge blessing and what value it teaches students to serve others instead of thinking of themselves all the time.

So often we do fundraisers for ourselves...to send us or our students to camps, conventions, theme parks, or whatever...but not often do our efforts benefit others...I dare you to take the challenge to "Build up" Someone or some family in your community!!

Blessings!

Josh

Hug a Teacher!

2011-10-13T14:01:00.000-04:00

Awww, teachers! Chances are you are one or you definitely know one! And love em or hate em they are part of OUR mission field! Teachers are a pivotal force in shaping the next generation of doctors, lawyers, missionaries and ministers, garbage men, police officers, mommies and daddies!

Have you ever heard someone say, "Gee, they must not have been hugged much as a child". Chances are you have, but today I just want to challenge you to 'hug' a teacher in your local school or community!

Now, I'm not necessarily talking about physical hugging! If you feel compelled please ask first, we don't want you to be arrested for assault! But seriously there are so many ways you can 'hug' a teacher in your life. Here are a few extremely basic and easy examples.

1. Make something for them. (A card, a picture, if you're really handy, something amazing!)
If you have a child or students have them help you. Afterall, we all take ownership in something that we put our OWN hard work into!

2. Buy them a giftcard. (Notice, I didn't say buy them an apple or a coffee mug!)
Whoa! What a concept! You like free stuff right? Especially if it's a treat, like Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, or maybe even lunch off campus at a Subway or Panera! WOOHOO! Take $10 and invest it into your teacher! NO STRINGS ATTACHED!

3. Just tell them "Thank you!" - Now, don't just pick this one because it's cheap and easy! Really mean it! Go to great lengths to get to know teachers around you! If it weren't for one specific teacher in my life I may not be on the same path I am on right now, that is if I were even still around to talk about it! So Praise God for teachers!

So many teachers put in LOOOOONG hours pouring out into the lives of our kids. Tiffany and I are becoming good friends with a Kindergarten teacher and her husband and I have never really realized how much time it can take to get things ready and prepped. They give their lives for measly pay but do it (mostly!) for the love of seeing lives impacted! (Sounds familiar!)

So find a way and "hug" a teacher TODAY!

They may find it random, awkward or weird...but you know what...that just proves the point that it isn't happening nearly enough for them to understand it!

Josh

Statistically Speaking...

2011-10-12T11:59:00.000-04:00

Good morning class!

OK OK! Don't hit the back button on your browser or surf away towards Facebook.

I'm a bit of a dweeb who gets caught up in statistics and numbers sometimes. Now, I have to pause and say for my ministry friends I don't play the 'number game'. You know what I'm talking about.

"We had 100 students at our Youth Ministry and 115 answered the call of salvation!"

:D

I just spent some time this morning pouring over some localized statistics about the city and area that we live in. Particularly because we are interested in buying a house...SOMEDAY SOON! I just like to be well educated in where I want to live because it helps me be in touch and in focus with the community around me!

I was presented with some eye opening stats about where we live and what many would suspect to be a God-fearing, church going area. I mean drive by one of our many churches, mega-churches and even hear the occasional wood-cutting guy at my local hardware store tell me "God Bless You" and I didn't even SNEEZE!

But a recent survey conducted by the National Research Center in Boulder, CO gave some insight to a delimma that we as the church are facing! A growing gap of teens and young adults that are not as likely to be involved in church or any ministry for that matter!

The question was posed to individuals "In the past 12 months have you participated in religious or spiritual activities.."

Of the respondents aged 55 and above 65% said yes.

Of those aged 35-54, the percentage was lower at 60%.

Of those questioned aged 18-34 those who had participated in religious or spiritual activities was only 32%. Less than a third of the population their age level. This is my age level.

Now, I can't sit here and say that the same would hold true for students in Jr/Sr High schools in Noblesville, Indiana. But what I can tell you is that if statistics are an indication of where religious affiliation and/or spirituality are held in regard to my generation and the one after us (those in school now) it is not very high.

I'd like to make a second observation. The question was vague on what kind of religious or spiritual activity was taking place. Those questioned could have been taking part in a Jewish Bar-Mitzvah or partaking in a Muslim call to worship. They may have attended a service at a LDS church or gathered with other Jehovah's witnesses (a group of which I met recently at a nearby Starbucks...many of whom were YOUNG PROFESSIONALS!)

We need to pray for a great CHRISTIAN influence in the lives of the generations to come. It all begins at home and where they spend their formative years...our SCHOOLS!

I want to remind you, Tiffany and I don't live on the East coast. We're not in a huge metropolitan city. We're actually in a (gasp) Republican county, in a RED state, in a suburban town with a church on every other corner and then some. Yet for some odd reason 68% of young adults and I'm GUESSING many more of our students in local Jr/Sr High schools won't even admit to PRACTICING ANY KIND of religion, let along true faith in the one way to heaven, Jesus Christ.

I know this has been more of a serious and heavy blog post but I needed to share that this isn't just a Noblesville problem, I bet if your city or town published survey results we'd see more of the same.

We have to change this. We need to give the hope and change our students are looking for. I for one know it can truly only be found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Indiana has 700+ Jr/Sr High School campuses with over 640,000 students in grades 6-12 that walk onto them daily. Latest Assemblies of God Annual Church Ministry Reports indicate that our 240+ Indiana A/G churches can only account for roughly 6,000 of those students. That is just the amount of students that have come through our churches, not attesting to spiritual development of those students. That is less than 1% of our student population. We must do better.

If you're wondering about the statistics I received about our town, Noblesville, you can find them on page 7 of this link. http://www.smcitizens.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/statistics-education-research-day1.jpeg

Open up!

2011-10-10T15:32:00.000-04:00

"Uhhh Mrs. Coach do you know if they're doing random drug testing for Powderpuff girls?"

That question helped lead us to where we are now... missionaries trying to reach the public middle schools and high schools in this state. But what got us to that question???

Substitute Teaching!!

Since the beginning of youth pastoring, Josh applied at the local high school as a substitute teacher. He quickly found himself on campus at least once a week subbing and fell in love with the students...lots and lots of non church kids. His eyes were opened as he noticed his own youth group blend right in...they were acting no different than the rest of the students at that high school.

Relationships were built with not only students but teachers, principals, even secretaries! He became a familiar face around the school and word spread that he was a youth pastor...although he'd not told a single person besides the person who interviewed him at the school board office. Through those relationships he was asked to coach the sophomore powderpuff team...that dominated! I was asked to be his side kick... I basically taught the defense how to be mean and knock girls over (aka tackle) and filled their bellies with brownies and cookies and muffins after practice!!! They called me Mrs. Coach...Josh was...Coach. We were in heaven! A girl asked me the question who started this whole post and I knew I was where we were needed...at a public school. Not our youth room scouting out the best you tube videos to show at our next youth service!

I grew up as a swimmer, and I still eat sleep and breath swimming I think. Timers were needed at the high school for some swim meets... so we went and I drug Josh with. We had a blast timing 2 different meets and even received 2 All Sports Passes for free for volunteering. Students saw us...we saw students...met new ones and got into any other sporting event we wanted for the year FOR FREE!! We did it all through he athletic director's office.

Those are our stories, bits and pieces at least. There is no closed school. Never. No where. There are no excuses. Ever. Get.on.your.school.

Time to take their Temps!

2011-10-05T11:41:00.001-04:00

See You at the Pole time is such a varying time in youth ministry. Stories come to us of 80+ students at the Pole and stories come to us of 1 student at the Pole. It's heartbreaking, but my heart could not be more proud of those few who literally stand at the Pole alone.

Converge... where 2 or 3 are gathered though, He is definitely there with them. Those students are healthy...they've got it right. Their school is their mission field, and they're prepare to take their stance on that chilly 3rd Wednesday of September year after year.

Many times as youth pastors we think are students spiritual temperatures are astronomically higher than they really are. Students pray out loud, are on our student leadership teams, and some even lead worship. THAT doesn't crack it though... what are they doing at school?

It's easier to become so consumed with our own ministry within the four walls of our youth room and our students temps in that youth room that we forget to take their temp where it really matters. I like to say that if students aren't living for God at school, they're not really living for God. It sounds harsh, but sorry...it's so true that it hurts. ALOT! Here's a virtual Hello Kitty Bandaid for you! Or Spider Man if you're more into that kind of thing =)

Everything about our weekly gatherings with our students should be about their mission field...their schools and environment around them. We get caught up on trying to get kids in that we forget what matters is sending kids OUT. Our focus should be on equipping them to be a Christian at football practice, in biology class, at lunch, and even when taking a test. Making sure they're nice to the new kids in youth group is good too... but definitely not as life changing and molding.

Take a look at your students...did they actually show up to See You at the Pole? If they did, ride that momentum like a biker in leather on a Harley. Resource them with every stinking Campus Missionary thing you can find on the world wide web. If not, examine your own approach to youth ministry.

Perspective. To do youth ministry we need to have a campus ministry perspective. As a full time youth pastor you should be on your school's campus no less than once a week. Part time youth pastors...once a month. Volunteer youth pastors you're not off the hook either...once a semester. Don't you dare give me any boloney about not being able to eat lunch at school either, haha! The last time I checked most schools are still asking for volunteers to help work concession stands at sporting events. I know the school will not turn down your money to watch a basketball game either =)

We'll come back tomorrow with more roads to get all up in your school! Lots of juicy school secrets =)

<3 Tiff

SYATP Success!

2011-10-04T10:00:00.008-04:00

Hey again everyone! We are so excited to hear a ton of awesome reports rolling in from around Indiana of students showing up to pray last Wednesday for the national See You At The Pole day!

Tiffany and I were personally at Pendleton Heights High School and we witnessed an awesome display as 84+ students came out in the cold at 7:00am to cry out to God around their flag pole and believe that HE is getting ready to use THEM to bring revival to the heart of their campus!

AWESOME!

Shortly after we sent some of our Campus Missionaries off to class with some of Tiffany's home made blueberry muffins in tow we mosied on over to Hardees and caught breakfast with another Pastor friend who informed us that at Lapel Jr/Sr High School there were over 80 students there as well!

While eating breakfast my buddy Clint texted me and said he had 70+ students at Columbus East High School...I just kept getting my cell, email and facebook account blown up with all these Great reports! I was and still am pumped!

So let me challenge you to continue to challenge not only students but yourself to ride the wave of momentum and ask God how he can use YOU to be a part of what he desires to do to bring revival back to the heart of this generation on our 700+ Jr/Sr High school campuses across Indiana! We know he has amazing things in store. Just do one thing...don't leave what happened at the flagpole...let it just be the beginning!

Sweet Victory!

2011-10-03T13:59:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone! If you weren't aware, Tiffany and I have been itinerating as US Missionaries for 18 months as of October 1st. We were desperately in need of raising 75% of our promised monthly missions support by that date!

I'm not gonna lie, I think I have bit off ever centimeter of my finger nails trying to figure out in my fleshly self how to make it happen! Then God stepped in and when I least expected it impressed upon BOTH our district superintendent and district secretary to make a push in our churches and with our Indiana ministers to help get us there!

We are so blessed to be able to report to you with God's help not only did we reach our 75% faith promise goal we are now over 80%! God is amazing!!!!

We still have 20% left to go which translates to just around $1000 in monthly support until we are FULLY FUNDED and ready to rock on towards our mission field! If you or someone you know wants to support a missions cause, look no further! We are expecting GOD to continue to do amazing things as we 'kick the tires and light the fires' and get this budget raised ASAP!

Thank you JESUS!

The Challenge of the Month!

2011-09-26T11:47:00.000-04:00

Students around the nation have been caught carrying their bibles with them everywhere they go. School. McDonald's. Football Game. Band Practice. Church. The zoo. Amusement Parks. Literally Everywhere.

We encourage students to take what Youth Alive calls the "1 Month Challenge" in which they do the above. Carry their bible everywhere for one month. It can completely change the way these students live their lives. Before copping an attitude with their teacher, they think twice because of the bible laying on their desk. Ordering water, but getting Sprite instead at Taco Bell can't happen with that bible in their hands.

We want to build better students...better citizens of our communities. We want to not just see change happen, we want transformation in our school's hallways. One student carrying their bible can give another student the courage to do it...and soon you'll have 15 students carrying them to school. FYI, that actually happened at a school here in Indiana! Those kids are tearing it up at their school!

And they couldn't make my little ~~used to be a~~ Campus Missionary heart more proud =)

<3 Tiff

2 or 3 = He is there!

2011-09-19T15:48:00.001-04:00

Whenever two or three of you come together in my name, I am there with you. Matthew 18:20 CEV

He is there... on and all up in our schools! Every year thousands of students around the country are taking a stand and making a mark on their campus for Jesus Christ! See You at The Pole has become a national movement since it's inception with a small group of students in Texas praying by their flag pole over 10 years ago.

The 3rd Wednesday of each September is special to us... it's a day that gives our job credibility. Everyone is focused on schools and Jesus...and Jesus IN our schools. We're taking this natural momentum and running with it as we desperately are trying to wrap up the itineration process of our budget.

Some schools will have hundreds, but many will only have a handful showing up to pray. Regardless of the numbers we know that God will show up with His power to unleash into those locker filled hallways for the remainder of this school year. Each year in youth ministry I've heard numerous stories of students who felt catapulted to reach their campus for Jesus after See You at the Pole.

It's momentous. It's inspiring. It's encouraging. It's powerful. It's time to converge...at our flag poles.

Below is a video from 2010 See You at The Pole at schools around Bloomington, Indiana. The video features schools that are currently being represented by students and youth pastors who have caught the vision by signing up as Campus Missionaries and starting Christian clubs on their campuses. Something to note are the varying sizes of groups. When I saw the one group with 2 students, a mom, and 2 children I all but ~~lost it~~ bawled like a baby!

We <3 you students! Whether you stand alone at that flag pole next Wednesday, or you stand amongst 25 or 100 others... Jesus is there with you to fill you with His power to help change your school for good!

HUGS!
Tiff

Personal Responsibility

2011-09-13T12:28:00.000-04:00

Many of us hear about bad things happening, budget cuts, volunteers desperately being needed in our community on or around school campuses! So often because of our busy schedules we tend to think, oh, I'm sure someone will step up and do it!

What if they don't! There is probably a reason why you're hearing ramblings or postings about how desperately schools are needing good quality role-models and volunteers across the board! People are taking the banner up themselves!

Nearly all of us reading this blog have been through the school system. Whether public, private, religious or not, homeschooled or whatever, we have been through school!

One of my favorite sayings is that every community has a school and every school needs a community! They NEED you! What are you doing to get involved?

Coaching? Volunteering? Monitoring the lunchroom? Tutoring after school? Lending your specialized knowledge to a classroom lecture? Substitute teaching? Working the front desk? Lending a hand to the concession stand? Timing a swim meet? Being a referee? Going to school board meetings? Joining the PTO? Sponsoring a club? The list goes on and on!

Let's take ahold of personal responsibility for our schools! If you don't like the state of them in your community, don't just sit back and throw stones! Help tear down the walls and lend a hand in REBUILDING them!

If you love your schools, SHOW THEM! Give some time, lend a hand, help beautify them and invest in students in your community! If you model personal responsibility NOW, imagine the impact it could have on the future generations in your community!

Have a great day!

Fall Sports Fun!

2011-08-25T10:28:00.000-04:00

Looking for great ways to reach out to your campus? Youth Pastors, has your school administration 'locked up' the lunchroom to you? Well quit yer whinin' and get to some athletic events! I know that some of them cost a lil $ but how bad to you want to be around students? Ministering to them and showing love on their level?

Too often we're looking for 'really creative ways to get on campus' when really we overlook some of the most OBVIOUS ways to get on.

First stop. Athletic Office.
It seems that the athletic dept is always looking for high quality reputable community citizens (which is what you are...right?!?! RIGHT?!?!!?) Why not pop in or call the athletic dept at your local school and ASK (gasp!) if they are looking for volunteers, time keepers, score keepers, judges, ticket takers, concession workers, etc. You'd be surprised! At the school I used to substitute teach at they actually had it set up if you worked a certain number of events at the school they GAVE YOU (FOR FRRRREEEEEEEEEE) an all sports pass. That's better in my world than Willy Wonka's Golden Ticket. So get out there, go check.

If at First you don't succeed. Don't give up you QUITTER!
Quitting is easy. It's what lazy people do. Sorry, Just Sayin'! If you can't finagle your way into being the worlds best concession-ier because your school won't give you the chance...get over it! They make the rules Nancy, you've just gotta play by em! Being at sporting events is a great way to not only connect with your students (athletes or Non-athletes alike) but it's a great way for them to introduce their friends to their wannabe-awesome Youth Pastor! You do wannabe awesome right? RIGHT?!?!?! :D Then don't quit! Shell out a couple of clams (aka. dollars) and go do work son! Get to those football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, baseball, wrestling, golf, track, cross country, softball, swimming, lacrosse, hockey game or whatever else your crazy school has! No, you don't have to go to ALL of them. Just go. PERIOD!

Thirdly but not leastly (is that a word)...(spell check says NO!)...coach.
Say what? There is an old Scottish proverb that says something like, "Those who can do, those who cannot, Coach."

I know some of you are like are you crazy? Yes. Yes I am. Crazy enough to give my time to a group of 10th grade girls and teach them how to play football...powderpuff style. How rad is that!?!!? You never know the kind of doors God will open up to allow you to pour into the lives of students in creative ways if you just ask! I guess I was in the right place at the right time and I was able to coach a bunch of girls in powderpuff football. I was finally able to showcase my mastermind Madden talents OFF of the playstation. Did I mention we kicked BOO-TAY!?! Heck yes. You know we did!

Now, in the words of the greatest Coach, Jesus in Matthew 28..."GO!"

Girls are meany-butts!!!

2011-08-03T16:27:00.000-04:00

The bullying trend that is sweeping through our schools is becoming insane. It's not just a problem we're facing in middle schools and high schools... it's being bred in elementary schools. It's mind boggling as to how students can be so guiltless in their torture. There's gotta be a reson...a deep rooted problem that we're not addressing.

Students are messy...they're humans and humans are messy. Their lives are straight jacked up. How could anyone be stable when they get on the bus in the mornings at 4 different houses... depending on whose custody day it happens to be. With no one to even help with homework, making dinner for themselves and their siblings at night, and having no positive voices around them at home... it's apparent what will flow out of them. Students are struggling to be someone. They desperately want to be noticed, and will do anything if in their twisted perspective makes them be accepted or look cool.

Dr. Phil had a special on his show today about girls... in fact it was titled "Mini- Mean girls". Girls as young as 6 were appearing on the show...from both sides of bullying. One bully admitted that she was scared of people being mean to her (perhaps everyone is mean at home?). As a result of this fear, she said she thought she could scare people into being nice to her so she didn't have to deal with people hurting herself. She was 11 I think... tragic. Girls on the other side of the issue opened up about feelings of being left out by "groups" of girls... girls being exclusive.

It's an age old problem... girls are girls...and girls are mean, by nature. As a girl who probably has been on both sides of this issue at times... I wish I could re-do everything in school. I was definitely made fun of and left out in school. However, I've definitely probably had times where I've been a little too exclusive and have made other girls feel left out. My heart breaks for both sides. The bullies need help...there are serious at war within them causing them to act out in such harsh ways. Those being bullied need love, compassion, and grace. They both need Jesus. I can never depend on my students to bring their friend to youth group. Afterall, what girl seriously is going to be BFF with a bully and bring them to church?? THINK ABOUT IT!! It's up to be to go to them...to take love to them. We can't depend on their friends to bring them to our churches, nor can we expect it to just happen eventually. I can't wait to get into school campuses and meet and be with these girls face to face ON THEIR TURF, not mine!

I can't help but see so much correlation with Youth Alive and this epidemic of "Mean Girls". I'm ready to bust outta these walls called itineration and give those bullies a big fat hug and tell them I care about them and love them! I can't wait to speak soft encouraging words of LIFE into those girls lives who have been ripped apart by those just mentioned. I just simply can't wait!

<3 Tiffany

Rollercoaster Rides!

2011-08-01T13:49:00.002-04:00

We know it's been a while since we've updated this blogaroosky here, but boy has a lot happened since we last ~~chatted~~ wrote a post. In the midst of playing catch-up from a month of camp, tragedy struck and Josh's mom passed away very unexpectedly.

We thought that the emotions and stress of camp, laundry pile ups, backed up list of phone calls to make, and emails to answer had brought us ups and downs... the huge drop on the ride was just waiting for us. Throughout the last 2 weeks we have seen and felt God in ways we never have before. The words on the pages of our bibles that we've so dearly read since childhood truly came alive. The "family of God" took on a whole new meaning once again, as every prayer and hug offered brought comfort to us.

We've been busy wrapping everything up since the funeral, and have even had an addition along the way! After not being able to find a family to take in her dog 5 year old Schnoodle Pepper... we welcomed him into our own little family. I've never had a dog in my entire life... except for when I was 4 years old we had a dog, but I opened the door to let her run away. Josh has grown up with them, but after college, bachlerhood, and marrying a wife who refused to have anything to do with dogs he himself is a little rusty. We're now new members to the ~~puupy~~ old dog parent club!

That was taken right after we brought him home! At first he wasn't playing, eating, or drinking. He's playing alot more although he'd just be as content to sit and take watch out our patio doors for potential dogs to walk by. The eating is still a struggle, and since we're being pretty strict about him eating healthy it's frustrating that we can't even get him to eat the normal food he's used to so we can mix in healthier things to make the switch eventually. He even turned down treats at the beginning! We just got him a new collar and bought him a couple new toys, which he has FINALLY taken too! He's still pooping and peeing like a champ OUTSIDE though... what a relief!!!

We're getting back on track this week! We've still got a budget to raise...with not a lot of time left. That's our sole focus now...full-time gig. If we can get $1,000 raised in monthly support by October 1st then there's a big possibility we could have our last and final extension. We've hit desperation mode at this point! Our hearts are broken that another school year is about to start and we are still not able to be on the middle school and high school campuses for the beginning of the year! We're hitting the ground running...actually we don't hit the ground EVER and I definitely don't run...ever. But we're going full-force trying to find new monthly support partners to make this happen!

Loving the heck outta' teenagers!
Tiff

Camp-O-Rama

2011-07-12T10:37:00.000-04:00

What does sweating, losing our voices, rumbly tummies, praying, being covered in mountains of laundry, and running on 4-5 hours a sleep a night all have in common? LAKE PLACID TEEN CAMP!!

The last 4 weeks we've been at Teen Camp here in Indiana at Lake Placid in Hartford City, IN. Being on security, helping in the concession barn, being counselors, and even running activities were what we found ourselves doing through the summer. We also did a morning session each week explaining and challenging students with Youth Alive to see their schools as their mission field.

We busted out these shirts hot off the press this year for camp: MY SCHOOL MY WORLD MY MISSION YOUTH ALIVE We're stoked about the little reminder we can give students as they wear their shirt in class and in the hallways at school...this is their mission field...and THEY are the real missionaries. Josh and I don't have the same visa as they've been given, we're restricted and they've got full access.

We were able to host a small groupish type feeling thing each week called the Youth Alive Cafe. We talked about Youth Alive and got to know some Campus Missionaries on an even closer basis. Some of them told some rockin' stories from this past school year. We'll compile some all together and load them up in one big post here soon!

Camp is a blast each year and we're blessed to be a part of it! Despite the ~~yummy~~ food, and the mountains of laundry that ensue each weekend, we couldn't be more thrilled to see so many teenagers literally rocked by the presence of God firsthand.
Camp Rules...literally!

Time Flies!

2011-06-02T14:53:00.000-04:00

What in the world. I looked at my calendar and realized a month had flown by. Where in the world has time gone????

I'll tell you where...everywhere! May was a flurry of activity with us as it kept us traveling and hopping from place to place being the good little missionary couple we are! At the beginning of the May we had the chance to celebrate with our first student who was ever 'sent off' into ministry as they graduated from Bible College!

As soon as we got back from Missouri we had a meeting in Delphi and then it was home to pack our bags and jet off to Fort Lauderdale, Florida for a few days! Don't be alarmed though! There's not much time for vacationing while itinerating, we were there to be a part of the annual Youth Alive Missionary Retreat. A gathering of the minds if you will! :D We had a blast getting to hangout and hear stories and be encouraged by other missionaries to schools all across the USA! We are so blessed to be apart of such a family as Youth Alive...you have no clue!

We only had a day or so to recooperate before jumping over to Richmond, Indiana for our Indiana District Council. We were busy while we were there trying to spread the news about what God has coming for schools in communities all across Indiana!

From there we came back home, took a deep breath and got back to business, traveling, services, even making a couple hospital visits to a student! We are so blessed to be doing what God has called us to do! Now, only if we could get this budget raised and do it FULLTIME! We need to get on these school campuses ASAP and just because summer time is here and kids are out of school doesn't mean we're going to let ANYONE off the hook!

It just means we can take the next few months and plan strategically how we can get this budget knocked out so we can hit those schools with our feet firm beneath us this fall!

I want anyone who reads this to understand something, there is a skewed idea circulating that unless a monthly pledge/faith promise is some large number of money each month that we are not interested in your 'piddly wares'. That could not be further from the truth. If your church can't to $100 a month, that's fine. 10 churches giving $25 a month is $250! Some churches can do more, so can some individuals, others we know can not! We have churches and individuals that support us at levels from $5 to $100 every single month. Consider what you may be ABLE to do by faith. Stepping out and being obedient to God. I know he'll honor you...he has never failed us yet! Head over to the join up link and partner up with us today! Students across Indiana are waiting for YOU to help US reach THEM with the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Have an awesome day!!!!!!
Josh and Tiffany

April Showers!

2011-05-02T16:17:00.000-04:00

Hey friends!

We've felt blessed by the overwhelming support and prayers that have come our way in these last few weeks! I can tell you as of today we are STILL short of our 50% goal and are now racing against the clock of this AGUSM extension we have been given!

We are not deterred though! We have seen many new supporters come through and have brought us well under $1,000 to hit that 50% mark we want to be at!

Keep praying, keep supporting, tell your friends, pastors, congregations about the opportunity to partner with us to reach out to the students of Indiana by supporting/joining the monthly support team! We can use the publicity!

This week we I have the privelege to be in Springfield, MO to share in the celebration of 2 of my first students I youth pastored in Demotte, Indiana who are now 'all grown up' (LOL) and graduating from CBC and Evangel. We're excited to be a part of it! Should be a good week, but I'll still be hitting the phones and trying to garner up support as we are here though, so PLEASE KEEP PRAYING!

See you soon!
Josh

Campus Focus!

2011-04-27T10:23:00.000-04:00

Hey friends! Today we've got an awesome report about what God can do through Campus Missionaries! As well as a school or two to focus your prayers for the week!

Here is Lindsay K reporting in from Northridge High School...she wrote...

"God is so good. He does the most extraordinary things in the most ordinary ways sometimes. I have a friend who has been dealing with addictions for 3 years now, and I've known about it and have been praying for her for 2 out of those 3. Just this past monday, God healed her completely of her addictions...not the physical part, but the emotional part. She's been pure for 32 days now. I have another friend who actually wasn't my friend just a couple months ago. I met him through an after school academic team and we acknowledged each other's existence, but that was about the extent of it. Then one day on facebook I was bored, and so I started talking to him. Through that a friendship blossomed, and I can say with much joy that he went from being a pure atheist to a strong follower of Christ just a couple short weeks ago. God is incredible, he's been working through me and both of these friends already, and will continue to do so."

Awesome! Thanks Lindsay and we pray to keep hearing awesome reports just like this for YEARS to come!!! Praise God!

_________

On that note we want to present to you our school(s) of the week! This week we've focused on the community of Middlebury, Indiana. A town in north central Indiana, Middlebury is home to Heritage Middle School and Northridge High School where we have a good grip of CM's on file! Be praying that they are active on their campuses and in their church!

Here's the list of CM's we have!

Heritage Middle

Danny B
Sarah B
Taylor C
Peter D
Miranda T

Northridge High School

Rachel B
Alicia B
Kayt C
Michala H
Cameron H
Lindsay K
Ryan M
Nick R
Janae T

Prayer Focus!

2011-04-26T10:31:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone!

I want to ask you to join with us in prayer for our schools this week!

This week we want to focus our prayers on special needs students.

This is an area of the school population that is often overlooked and/or underappreciated. They are a vital part to reaching our schools as well!

Many students have very standoffish attitudes towards special needs students especially those with physical disabilities. This is in part due to the fact that often times these students who require more personalized attention are kept away from the rest of the student body. I can remember in high school one of my friends, his name is Justin, was a part of the special needs program at our school. If I remember correctly he was autistic and had a physical disability. But one thing I can tell you about Justin was that he was so precious. So awesome and loving. If you took the time to look past his "handicap" and see him for who he was, a child of God, a human being...your perspective was immediately changed.

I'll NEVER forget our graduation day when Justin walked across the stage and got his graduation certificate. Every single student in our class leapt to their feet with roar and approval. We were so proud. Justin, although separated from our classes was still one of us.

There are plenty of students facing the same situations in every school in Indiana. Lets pray for them this week. Pray that not only will they not feel isolated, but that there will be students and adults who reach out to them on purpose. With love, acceptance and a Christ like heart.

The Message paraphrase of Matthew 25:34-40 puts it well...Jesus says,

34-36"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what's coming to you in this kingdom. It's been ready for you since the world's foundation. And here's why:

I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me.'

37-40"Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.'

Let's pray this week for some of those who society may consider the overlooked, ignored, or the least of these.

Getting closer to 50%!!!

2011-04-25T09:53:00.000-04:00

Hey friends!

We are so excited that God has been opening doors to new supporters for us this week! We have picked up a couple hundred dollars in additional support and we are getting closer to the 50% mark! We are now less than $900 away!

We had a great Easter yesterday and actually had the opportunity to be relaxed, refreshed and ministered to at the Pendleton Community Service at Pendleton High School!

It was AWESOME! To see the kingdom of God coming together across denominational lines and just worship God together on the day of the resurrection! It was great! They had 2 services and the 11am one had that gym stinkin packed!

It was reminiscent on what we would pray to see happen one day when we do a Seven Project at that or any other school. Churches working together and lives being changed all in the middle of the community gathering grounds. The local mission field. The high school campus! At one point one of the pastors even said from the stage during a prayer, "God let your presence fill this place and stay strong here in this school gymnasium after we leave!" Tiffany and I both about jumped out of our skin! We were like YES!

So I pray you had a great Easter and enjoyed being with your family! I ask as we all head back to the grind this week that you would pray with us to see a miracle this week in our budget and fundraising. We absolutely need to be at 50% by the end of the week. We know in our own strength its a longshot, but if anyone knows the miracluous hand of God...it's me! Join with me in believing this week as we strive to hit this goal! We've got 3 months to raise this budget! Join with us today!

This week we will resume posting Prayer Focuses and Campus Spotlights as well as a new outreach idea!

It's been crazy! But God has been faithful!

Hooray!
Josh

Great weekend, big week ahead!

2011-04-18T10:07:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone!

We had a great weekend! Tiffany and I spent Friday and Saturday all day at the Indiana District Fine Arts Festival. It was amazing to hear and see the God given gifts and talents on display this weekend. I had the opportunity to judge Female Vocal Solo (for the 6th or 7th year in a row...lol) but I will say there were some definite standouts this year!

Makes me excited for Phoenix!

We then went to Mount Hope Church in Lafayette which is a new church plant that is only about 10 weeks old. Talk about humbling when they tell you they want to support you! This is what the church is about friends! Not only that but individuals there felt the call to support Youth Alive monthly as well! AWESOME! Thank you Jesus!

I ask you to keep praying with us as we finish the Speed The Light Tour tonight and head up to Elkhart for a couple of meetings tomorrow! We are pushing to get to the 50% mark of our budget by the end of the month! We still need about $1100 in new/additional monthly support to be pledged our way! We know God is capable! Join with us and pray today friends!

See you all tomorrow!

One year anniversary.

2011-04-12T10:05:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone!

Just this weekend we recieved our one year anniversary with US Missions as we have been officially itinerating (budget raising) for one year now. I just wanted to bring you up to speed as to what that means!

According to A/G US Missions we have about 32% of our budget raised. Since we started our push to be over 50% by the end of the month of April, we've jumped another 2+% and now we getting closer everyday!

US Missions has officially given us a 3 month extension to raise our budget. We are not discouraged, but rather encouraged and fired up to try and get this budget raised now more than ever.

There are a few ways that you can help. If you've been intending to give monthly and haven't done so, please make the decision to commit today. Pray what the Lord would have you do and take the plunge! We could never ask anyone to do what we even would not do. Tiffany and I support multiple missionaries monthly. Would you jump on board and help us reach out to the students on our school campuses across the state.

Perhaps you're thinking Josh, I literally don't have anything to give. I want to challenge you with that! It's not always about giving out of your abundance that pleases the Lord, but sometimes it's giving sacrificially when it really feels like you don't have it! Think of the story of the Widow's Mite in Luke 21:1-4...she gave what she had! I know how often before I started REALLY giving to missions and to the Lord that I would hit up Starbucks almost DAILY. My Blockbuster online que was full and I ate out nearly every day. Is there a chance you could eat a meal or two at home? Give to missions at least what you spend on Netflix & Redbox? Perhaps you can commit to consuming about 3000 less calories a month and give that Frappuccino $ to missions! We can all do something. Nothing is too small or BIG for God!

If you currently are giving, would you pray and re-evalutate what you may be able to give? One of our friends and an awesome supporter of Youth Alive started out at a specific amount and God blessed her by moving her up to a higher paying job! She contacted me soon after and told me that she really felt since God blessed her faithfulness by sacrificially giving she was going to DOUBLE her faith promise! AWESOME!

We desperately are trusting in God to help us by the end of the month raise an additional $1200 in monthly support which in turn would catapult us OVER that 50% barrier. It would be SUCH a huge blessing to be there. We are CONFIDENT in God's power to do this. I am wondering if you personally, your ministry, your church, your business would take the plunge putting your faith in God alone to help you give as you commit to the ministry of Tiffany and I and Youth Alive here in Indiana.

We appreciate your help and partnership and I look forward to telling you at the beginning of May that we have hurdled that 50% mark of our budget and are WELL on the way to raising these funds!

Here's the link to donate online, you can also go to the join/donate tab to print a form and mail it in!

http://usmissions.ag.org/top/don_faithpromise_online.cfm?AcctNo=247644

Thanks and God Bless!

Josh and Tiffany
US Missionaries
Indiana Youth Alive

Campus Mission Focus and School of the week!

2011-04-06T22:17:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone! Here's a great story from Robby F. checking in from our school of the week Kankakee Valley High School in Wheatfield, IN!

Robby reports...

well this month i could tell that my fire Bible that i carry around school is starting to get peoples' attention. People keep coming up to me and ask me if that's a bible, and i tell them yes. Then they ask me why do you carry that around with you, and i tell them i like to read it in my free time. Since then it has opened some doors for ministry. For instance i was practicing my jazz band music in one of the practice rooms in our band room, and another person from jazz band asked me if they could practice with me, and i told her sure why not. After we played for a while we struck up a conversation, and she asked me don't you carry your bible around with you. At that moment we started talking about church. I started talking about Jesus and different things from the bible. After about a half an hour of talking i invited her to youth group, she didn't show that week, but i think it planted a seed. So I'm thankful that god is opening doorways for me to speak and minister to people.

Nice work Robby!

____________________

Here's a little more about this week's school of the week!

Kankakee Valley High School, home of the Kougars (thats not a misspelling!) houses about 1200 9-12 graders in northern Jasper County. At KVHS we have quite a good grip of Campus Missionaries as well as one of our few Youth Alive clubs on campus!

Pray for KVHS, the Campus Missionaries and the students and staff this week! We appreciate it!

See you tomorrow!

prayer focus for the week and blog shift

2011-04-05T19:47:00.002-04:00

Good evening everyone!

I just wanted to let you know about this weeks prayer focus as well as a minor tweak I am making to the way we post our blogs and the daily info posts will contain.

As I type right now I am chilling at Starbucks sporting my Youth Alive t-shirt!

I want to challenge all of our prayer zone partners and friends this week to pray for students outside of the school and the influences they encounter on a daily basis! We challenge our students to be the salt and light of the earth but sometimes just as hard as it is for you and I imagine the difficulty a hormonal teenager faces when met with the task!

Pray that God will allow our students to see opportunities for what they are and to experience a REAL desire to respond with a Christ like demeanor in whatever situation arises.

Pray that they will be the influences and not the influenced in their communities! We need a generation with strong values with a solid understanding as to WHY they feel/believe what they say they do. Pray that our students all across Indiana will be actively engaged with the presence of God and will be moved and motivated by his Holy Spirit. I don't want to hear more stories of school shootings or bomb threats or groups of students killed while on trips.

Friends what we have is a generation who is under attack and is lacking Godly direction and needs help! Pray for them this week!

_________________________________

I want to let our faithful readers know that there is a small tweak coming where we will present our school of the week as well as a testimony from either a CM or a Club from the campus both on Wednesdays from now on! Check back tomorrow! We will see you then!

Josh

Climbing the Mountain!

2011-04-04T15:51:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone!

I hope you all had a good weekend! Ours was a bit different than we had in store, but alas, it was good and quite refreshing! I am sitting in Starbucks in Bristol, VA while our car recieves a new water pump before we can head home tomorrow! This week we have some meetings planned and I will be speaking at Victory Christian Center in Terre Haute on Wednesday evening! This weekend kicks off the Speed The Light Tour as we travel around the state with our District Youth Director and a few speakers to rustle up awareness for Speed the Light and how important it is to missionaries just like us!

We're excited for the chance to make some more connections and prayerfully recieve some more commitments for support as we endeavor to accrue an additional $1500 in support by the end of April! Pray with us and if you have not joined the team yet, please do so today! If we get to this # we will be catapulted over the 50% mark of our budget and will be right on track with where we feel we need to be! We know God is in this and as always is proving himself faithful!

We are climbing the budget mountain and are excited to be at the top so we can step foot onto our mission field, the school campuses all across Indiana!

Please pray with us, for continued favor, protection, health and finances! We appreciate all you do!

See you tomorrow!

I think I may go climb a mountain! Literally!

Josh

Movie night!

2011-03-31T21:03:00.000-04:00

Here's another idea for how to reach out to your school campus and the students in your community!

Have a movie night! Whether it's organizing a trip to the velvet chairs in your town theater or setting up a night inside or even showing a movie on the side of a wall or barn outdoors, media and movies connect with students across the board!

I know many friends in ministry have used the movie "To Save a Life". I went and watched this film while it was in theaters with a youth pastor friend of mine. I really enjoyed it and was excited to see that a 'Christian-esque' film was made well enough (in my humble opinion) to compete with some hollywood movies!

Theres a new movie coming out about the girl Bethany Hamilton who is a surfer who lost her arm to a shark attack while on her board one day. This girl may have lost her arm, but according to her testimony she never lost her faith in God. Use this film as a chance to take your students out. Have them invite their friends from school. Organize transportation, the cost (maybe even try to cut a deal with the theater for a group rate including some popcorn and a drink!), don't forget those permission slips!

Use the evening and the film (pre screen it if you can) to try and create dialogue at another time (back at the church or youth center) for a post movie party/wrap up! This can serve as a connecting point for some of those students who should be serving as Campus Missionaries in their schools to connect with unchurched students about the grace of God and love of Christ! The movie night could be another catalyst to winning those students at your school for Christ and plugging them into a local youth ministry!

Give it a shot! Here's a link to watch the promo for the movie!

http://everyschool.com/soul-surfer-trailer

See you soon!
Josh

Prayer Focus!

2011-03-29T12:00:00.000-04:00

Good morning everyone!

We have a very specific prayer focus and school of the week this week. This week we are asking you to pray for the school, students faculty and staff of our school of the week. I'll tell you why in a minute!

This week's school of the week is Angola High School in Angola, Indiana.

Angola High School has about 900 students enrolled in grades 9-12 and is located in the NE corner of the state of Indiana! The school mascot is the Hornet!

We don't have any students currently enlisted as Campus Missionaries but with the help of Pastor Brian Moore at Angola Assembly of God we know that will be changing soon! We just recently had the chance to spend time with the students at Angola and pour into their lives during a weekend retreat that they hosted and we spoke at!

The reason we want you to spend time this week praying for the students at Angola High School is that 4 members of the Senior Class were killed in an auto accident as they were returning home from a Spring Break trip. The accident happened north of Montgomery, Alabama. In a school the size of Angola everyone pretty much knows everyone and tragedies like this are not common. We ask that this week you pray for comfort amidst the mourning and that when all of the questions arise and students and families are looking for a place to turn for guidance that God would intervene in their lives and he would provide comfort, understanding and peace.

We appreciate your prayers, the state of Indiana has been rocked with a couple of major tragedies this last week that have garnered national attention. First the middle school shooting in Martinsville and now this latest tragedy of the students who were killed in Alabama. It all serves as a reminder to us here with Youth Alive why it is imperative that we do what we do and why we need to get this budget raised quickly so we can help serve as the hands and feet of Christ to the students spanning all across this great state.

We love you and appreciate your thoughts and prayers this week.

Josh & Tiff

Great weekend and prayer needs!

2011-03-28T11:49:00.000-04:00

Hey friends! We had a great weekend with two services (it was my first time preaching two services back to back) at Sweetwater Assembly in North Manchester, Indiana!

We want to thank Pastors Chad and Julie McAtee for the love and open arms they recieved us with! We are so blessed to have great friends and pastors in ministry like the McAtee's! I really felt like our ministry there was a great experience and want to take a second to just interject my thoughts. If you've never been to Sweetwater Assembly, you should pop in sometime! N. Manchester is a town of about 6000 people in North Central Indiana and I'll say this, I believe it's one of the healthiest churches I've been to! What a great time!

_________________________

Just to ask for a couple of prayer needs, we are really trying to get an additional $1500 raised by the end of April and I KNOW God is totally capable of doing this. I'm not sure who, how or what he wants to use to get us to that point, but perhaps its you! I want to ask you if you're reading this right now, and you have not yet became a member of the support team, would you join us!?!?!

No amount is too small and trust us, we've learned in the last year what it means to walk by faith and not by sight, we want you to be a part of impacting a generation of students across the state with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We desperately desire your prayer and partnership especially in this season of our lives! We appreciate anything and everything you do alongside us!

If you haven't joined and would like to, click the tab at the top of the screen that says Join the Team!

Check it out! We need your help! Help us together so when the end of April rolls around we will ALL be CELEBRATING the greatness of GOD together!

Much Love!

See you tomorrow!

URGENT PRAYER NEED!

2011-03-25T13:08:00.000-04:00

Hey friends, in lieu of this week's outreach event idea I want to ask you to pray for an urgent need we have.

This morning, Friday March 25th a middle school student was shot in the abdomen twice by another student at West Middle School in Martinsville, Indiana.

As of right now the student victim is still in surgery at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana where he was airlifted from the middle school this morning. The student who shot him is in custody.

We want to ask you today to pray hard for the student not only who was the victim but also for the shooter. Pray for these students families as well. There will be a lot of people pointing blame and asking tough questions but lets take time to pray.

Pray also for the students at the school and in the community. Pray also for the administrators and staff at those schools. There will be plenty of fear, questions and anxiousness in the days and weeks to come.

I'll try to keep you updated as this story further unfolds. Thanks so much for your partnership in prayer!

Josh and Tiffany

CM Focus!

2011-03-23T17:18:00.000-04:00

This week we have another encouraging story from one of our many Campus Missionaries that have been reporting to us monthly!

This week's report came to us from Abby G. a Campus Missionary at Brown County High School.

Here's her report, "Well this month I really realized why and what I'm doing to live out Christ in my school. To be honest this month could've been better. I refuse however, to just keep saying that it COULD HAVE been better, I choose to let God work through me, I'm focused, and awesome things WILL happen! As I said, I'm focused now, got my head on straighter! A really cool thing that happened this month however. While in my science class, a girl who I've only talked to on and off throughtout school began to pour out her heart to my best friend and I. I simply thought, wow that's sooooo amazing God that she of all people would share her heart with me. What I didn't realize however, was that I had listed her name on my 5 friend list, WITHOUT even realizing it. GOd had that conversation planned all along! My God is an awesome God! "

Dang straight Abby G! God is awesome! And so are you!

We're so amazed to hear some of the great testimonies and stories from students like Abby all across Indiana! Keep praying and beliveing that God will empower students to do his work to reach the mission field in our communities! Our Schools!

For more information about Campus Missions and what you can do to help students in your community get involved in the movement, head over to youthalive.ag.org/campusmissionary and find out more!

Have a great night!
Josh

Praying!!!!!!!!!

2011-03-22T10:10:00.001-04:00

Hey friends! I hope you're having a great Tuesday morning thus far! I just wanted to ask you to consider praying for a special focus this week!

Would you pray for our Christian Clubs that are on our Jr/Sr High School campuses this week? At Youth Alive we are a part of an even bigger network of Campus Ministries that reach out to students all across Indiana and the United States. Clubs are just an element to our strategy for connecting local churches to the school and the schools back to the kingdom of God.

Maybe your community school doesn't have a Youth Alive Club YET. Chances are they may have one of the other Christian or faith-based clubs that meets on their school grounds.

Youth Alive is part of what is known as the Campus Alliance an organization that serves to reach Every Student at Every School with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Here are some of the other organizations we partner with in Youth Alive.

- Campus Life/Youth for Christ
- Christ in Youth
- Fellowship of Christian Athletes
- First Priority
- Young Life

Take time out this week to pray for those Christian clubs on our school campuses. Pray that they would not just be 'social clubs' like many churches have become, but pray that they may be the hands and feet of Christ working on their campuses to futher the message of redemption and hope to a generation of students that are searching!

Pray also for your students that are leading those campus clubs that they would be well resourced. That's a common thing we hear about students and the reason that Christian clubs fail or never live up to their full potential. It's our heart with Youth Alive and our focus of clubs to change that. We want every club that meets to be well resourced with meeting material, devotionals, relevant topics and fun as well as impacting ideas. We pray this will happen not just with Youth Alive clubs, but with all our Campus Alliance clubs as well!

Lastly with over 700 Jr/Sr High Schools throughout Indiana many of them have no representation of Christ on their campus that meets together. We want to see that change. Pray that God will open up doors in communities all across the state from rural towns to urban centers that students would rise up and feel empowered and equipped to take the Gospel to their campuses. Even the largest branch of the Campus Alliance, FCA, only accounts for clubs on less than a third of those school campuses! We need God back in our schools! This is a GREAT opportunity to see it happen!

For more information on the Campus Alliance feel free to check out their website everyschool.com
For more information on how to get your church, your people, and yourself involved in praying daily for schools check out Youth Alive's Strategy known as Prayer Zone Partners. http://www.prayerzonepartners.com/

PRAYING!!!!!!!!!

Nothing short of CRAZY!

2011-03-21T12:49:00.000-04:00

Hey friends! Last week was nothing short of crazy and if you frequent this blog, you'd understand. I'm so so sorry that I didn't get a chance to pop on here and update it. We logged plenty of miles last week and traversed the great state literally from top (Elkhart) to bottom (Evansville)! We were touring with our Area Ministers Meetings that go on for a couple of weeks during the spring and fall. If this is an indicator for what life may be like after itineration we are in for a barrel of fun!

:)

We had a great weekend to relax before heading to Terre Haute where we were able to visit Hulman Street Assembly of God and Pastor Patrick Newton. It was a great time and a wonderful service! Thanks to joining our team Hulman Street Assembly! We are blessed to have you on board!

On that note, I've gotta pack up and head back out for our next round of meetings! I will see you all for sure tomorrow!!!

Josh

Prayer focus! Better late than never!

2011-03-16T22:18:00.000-04:00

Hey friends! Thanks for being patient with us this week as we have been crazy busy traveling across the state and having meetings literally everyday in between!

I want to challenge you this week with a prayer focus. Our students on Spring Break.

It's mid march and some schools have already broke for their annual Spring Breaks. We want to challenge you to be in prayer for those families traveling and students vacationing and staying at home. Pray that for all of the students it would be a time of rest and refreshing. Pray for the students especially to be able to guard themselves during these times. After having cabin fever all winter the first chance to get out and into some mischeif can be quite compelling.

Pray with us that God will provide the escape for these students during times of temptation that may hit them during the Spring Break season. I can personally speak of some wild parties I knew of when I was in high school and I am sure that those have not subsided not even 10 years later. Pray that God will put his angels around them and keep our students safe not only as they travel, but as they stay home. Pray that his hand will guide them and that they will take the time to even possibly read up on his word, or simply to hang out and be a positive influence amongst friends.

Be in prayer! God hears us!

____________________________________

We also wanted to let you in on a secret! This week's school of the week is....

Whitko High School in South Whitley, Indiana!

Whitko High School has over 600 9-12 grade students and is home to one of Indiana's first Youth Alive Clubs!

According to our most current records we have one Campus Missionary at Whitko High School (but more attending the club) Our CM is Derik H. and he is the Club President!

Pray for this school and the middle school as well that feeds into it! We have heard from friends in South Whitley that there is about to be a club started on that middle school campus too!

Praise God!

See you tomorrow! Thanks for praying!!!!!

busy, busy busy!

2011-03-15T19:35:00.000-04:00

Hey friends! This week is crazy! We are really logging the miles as we travel to our area ministers meetings all throughout the state! Our blog will be one day behind this week so keep your eyes peeled!

Another great idea!

2011-03-10T14:19:00.000-05:00

Ahh yes. The glorious school bus. Cheese Wagon. Turbo Twinkie. Whatever you call it, just don't be late for it, because these ladies and gentlemen are on a mission to deliver the goods on time everytime.

Parents long for it, students fear it, it is one of the most over looked yet most important aspect of Youth Alive's mission field. Our school buses and their drivers!

This week we want to challenge you to reach out to your bus drivers in your school corporation. They often go unnoticed and under appreciated because many people tend to think of them as crabby or mean.

Not gonna lie, I'd have a hard time staying chipper if I had to wake up at 4am to drive a 37 foot 2 axled golden glider...and on top of that have to deal with a bunch of cranky K-12 graders who did NOT want to get up to see me this early...

Bus drivers are actually pretty cool. My Aunt Kathy is a bus driver and so I know the 'ins and outs' of the bus driving scene. LOL. Bet you didn't know there was a scene eh? Hahaha...anyways, I know that she has a lot of influence over the students on her bus. Her attitude sets the atmosphere (being able to play Christian radio doesn't hurt either) for the students as they start and finish their day. Bus drivers are responsible for the safety of the majority of our school students before the school day ever starts...or truly ends!

So why not reach out to them? I say we do. I challenge you to formulate some kind of day (where of course you get school approval) and do what I like to call a "Bus Driver Blitz". Basically put together a treat bag and a HAND WRITTEN thank you card to every single driver. As they drop students off at school, you hand step on the bus and hand them the lil gift basket or bag.

What would you put in that bag? I'm so glad you asked. It doesn't have to be extravagant, but it should be practical...and please, do every bus driver a favor, spare them the cheesy Chic-Tracts or New Testament Bibles you had left over from the nursing home ministry.

Here's some ideas. (and even ideas of places to get them...gasp!)

1. A coffee mug (with a lid please!) Like a nice travel one.
      - Check out http://www.discountmugs.com/ Print one that says " Bus Driver Blitz '11" OR "We <3 Our Bus Drivers"...you get the point right?
2. Some of those instant coffee packets (You can buy the lil individual ones everywhere now.)
      - For example, Starbucks VIA Or These other kinds available in every grocery store

3. A $5 gift card to a starbucks, dunkin donuts, mcdonalds, cheesecake factory(?)
     - Ok, so maybe not cheesecake factory, but seriously you really can't go wrong with a lil gift card.

4. Some good quality candies. Please don't be that old lady that no one likes on Halloween. Bus drivers may look like they enjoy Mary Janes or Open Jelly Beans, but I promise you, they'd much rather have an individual snickers, reese cups, or 3 musketeers.

5. Good quality snacks.
     - Refer to number 4. Give em a whole pack of Orbitz, not a stick of juicyfruit. Give em a Kashi Bar or something. Not the 20 cent quaker oat bar that comes in pack of 400 at Sams Clubs.

6. Nothing over-personal.
     - I know your intention was to "lather them with love" but Mr. Smith our 55 year old bus driver probably isn't the biggest fan of Japanese Cherry Blossom Body Wash. (He's more of a Coconut Lime guy) But seriously, stay away from the toiletries. Try to keep it as gender neutral as possible.

7. A note thats handwritten and even signed by some students (if not entirely written by them)
      - Express gratitude, even if you hated riding the bus! Jesus still loves them and I know I'm thankful my bus driver didn't put me in a ditch on the way to school on all those snowy, icy mornings we STILL had to to! (I'm not bitter...ok, maybe a lil. But seriously kids get out of school all the time nowadays!) :)

You can be more creative than me I'm sure. Just make them sincere. Feel free to write on your card or note that you're thankful for them and you/your church, group or club will be praying for them and for safety. Create an email address in case bus drivers want to respond. Let them know if they have any questions or needs to be in contact. Make it some general email address specific to the event. It'd make it less threatening and a lot easier for them to email busdriverblitz2011@email.com (Not a real email) than to email PastorBishopReverendCoolguy1979@church.org

Think about it. Do it. Then let us know how it goes!

Much Love! Peace! See you Monday!

Great CM Story!

2011-03-09T12:38:00.000-05:00

Here's this week's CM Focus! A great story coming out of Avon High school...

Julianne R. reports:

After Josh and Tiffany Pearman visited our church a week ago(it was a lil while ago now), some of my friends and I pray on our knees four about five minutes at school in the an area were a lot of people see us everyday. Kids in our prayer circle don't like to start praying until after the bell rings which leaves us the same 15 second prayer everyday. My friends and i decided Jesus deserves so much more of our time, especially if we want to see Him rock our school. It started out with basically three people and now sometimes its four or five. I pray that the others will understand and start to join us as well. Whenever the opportunity comes I always talk about Jesus or how I am in Bible Quiz. In all my papers I in cooperate Jesus in some way or another also. :) I am a part of a mentoring program where we play games with the freshmen and get to know them so that are comfortable being in high school and stuff. And when its time to study or do homework I always study Bible Quiz and the kids at my table started asking me all about it and I shared that with them. One of them even helped me practice by asking me to quote verses out of John. I know God's using me more and more everyday at school to show Jesus and I'm excited to see him work. <3

________

More and more awesome reports are coming in weekly from dedicated Campus Missionaries like Julianne. This is great stuff! Would you take a second today and pray for our Campus Missionaries like Julianne all around the state?

We appreciate all you do for students, Tiffany and I, and Youth Alive!

Be blessed! See you tomorrow!
Josh

PS. Wouldn't it be crazy if this was again a common scene? CM's are making it happen!

A New Way to Pray!

2011-03-08T07:09:00.000-05:00

Prayer Focus: Pray for students involved in Spring sports. Yes, we said it. Pray for those athletes! There are a wide variety of students who participate in spring athletics across Indiana and here are a list of some specific sports.

Girls Track
Boys Track
Girls Tennis
Boys Golf
Softball
Baseball

We want to challenge you to pray for a few specific areas for these student-athletes! First pray for protection for all of our athletes as well as coaches and fans! These students travel high and low across the state, as well as having to deal with inclement weather and sports injuries! Pray that our students will be protected and no life threatening accidents or injuries occur this season on or off the field! Secondly pray for good sportsmanship! We want our students to be Christlike examples to all the other athletes and friends around them! Some of the most proud moments I had as a youth pastor were when I could watch one of our students play fairly and maintain a Christ-like composure even when things got heated in the game. Thirdly, pray for students to stand up to temptation from teammates and peers. It's a stress filled world, especially as a student athlete. Pray that these students who are already feeling strapped and stressed from crazy practice schedules, homework and everyday life would not give into negative peer pressure and that they would continue to strive to put God where he belongs in their life. First. Which means, above athletics, above parties, and expectations of everyone else. Pray they'll remember to seek first His kingdom and that everything else will be added to them!

And of course, our Tuesday posting would not be complete without this week's school of the week for you to pray for!!!! This week we proudly present...

Believe it or not, this school, a JR High on Indy's west side is the educational home for over 1200 7-8 graders! We had a chance to meet up with some of them last fall...there is a nice lil grip of Campus Missionaries who attend Chapel Hill too! Let's pray for them as well as the school and it's administration and staff this week!

Chapel Hill 7th & 8th Grade Center CM's:
Bryan G.
Gwen P.
Anna T.
Najara V.

An enjoyable weekend...

2011-03-07T13:58:00.000-05:00

I'm not saying that every weekend isn't enjoyable for us. But on the rare occasion we are able to stay at home and make our plans revolve around things we enjoy, rather that fundraising...we'll take it!

Such a weekend was this one. Tiffany and I were able to enjoy a weekend around Indy, which was highlighted (for her especially) getting to attend the 2011 Indianapolis Grand Prix of Swimming. We were able to watch Olympic swimmers Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte, Jason Lezak, Dana Volmer, and Katie Hoff compete. It really was a cool time!

Sunday was a very relaxing day (for me at least!). We were able to attend our 'home' church in Pendleton, get to see friends and church family we hadn't seen for a couple months, and just simply got to bask in God's presence without having to lift a finger! :) It was great.

Then we came home for some BBQ Pork we made in our crock pot and watched NCAA Basketball. I'd like to be on of the many to say, GO SYCAMORES! Indiana State University (where our friend Jason Harshbarger is going to plant Chi Alpha) won the Missouri Valley Conference tournament yesterday. They beat Missouri State University in a pretty crazy game. I told Tiff, it's pretty crazy for me to have such strong ties to the cities where those schools came from, yet never attended either school. ISU is located in Terre Haute where I grew up and graduated high school. MSU is located in Springfield, MO where of course I went to college at CBC and my A/G credentials are held right up the road from MSU's campus!

Anyways, the night couldn't have got much better until we ate some home made buffalo legs (a Pearman family favorite) and sat down to enjoy some new TV Show's together. I loved the premier of Secret Millionaire on ABC and am looking forward to eating one day at America's Next Great Restaurant on NBC.

With that, its back to the grind today, having met with a good buddy for lunch to talk Campus Missions. I sit here in my mobile office. You guessed it...Starbucks! I'm glad they travel with me! :)

Much Love! See you tomorrow!

Just a reminder...sometimes you need to relax.

Can't you just feel the warm breeze now?

Outreach Idea!

2011-03-03T16:11:00.001-05:00

Exhibit A. The Teachers Lounge.

This is supposed to be a haven for teachers to take their planning period or free time to kick back, relax, detox from those needy students. Look relaxing? Sure. If you call sitting on the exposed spring or broken beam of a couch relaxing.

When I substitute taught at our local high school the teacher's lounge looked a lot similar to this. A bunch of drab and shoddy couches pieced together by miscellaneous donors who's garage sales didn't go as they had planned.

It kind of looked like a Goodwill furniture section threw up in there you could say.

Exhibit B and C.

Youth Ministry Rooms.

Now, now, now. Before you jump down my throat and scream, "MY YOUTH ROOM DOESN'T LOOK THAT AWESOME" Thats ok, no need. Really. I'm not advocating that you fight for an awesome Youth Room/Cafe/Hangout worth thousands of dollars. I'm not advocating you let the opportunity slip through your fingers.

What I'm saying, what if we reached out to our school community by raising funds or donating NICE furniture to the teachers lounge. What if we bought new leather couches for our Youth Room AND Teachers Lounge?

We want the coolest of the cool stuff, raise tons of money for lights, sounds, bells, whistles, and what not. Sending students to Fine Arts, Camps, Retreats, Conventions. What if we challenged our students to raise money for something that doesn't have anything to do with them? What if they raised money and donated stuff to their own local missions field.

Can you imagine a teachers face when they see your campus club, youth ministry or group of friends walking in with a new microwave, coffee pot, Refrigerator or even Couches and coffee table? Your principal may flip! Literally! This selfless act of serving, honoring and revering the school community that you as a student or leader will never really get 'use' of will speak volumes to them!

I highly recommend a Teacher's Lounge Renovation...on your dime. Perhaps even some paint on the walls. Ask for permission of course from your principal and administration. You may be suprised. They may say yes!

It's not like they really have the budget now a days for providing new couches anyways!

Next time you play foosball or plop down on your youth groups bean bag chairs, think about it!

Campus Missions Focus!

2011-03-02T17:39:00.000-05:00

Here is this week's CM Focus from an AWESOME Campus Missionary that we know quite well! Her name is Grace H. and she is a freshmen at Kankakee Valley High School in Wheatfield, Indiana!

Here is her her story...

"This past month I was blessed with the opportunity to speak with a guy about his doubts with God and Christianity. In one of my classes there is this one guy that would always leave the conversation if it had anything to do with God because he is an atheist. One time in class he saw me reading a book and asked about it. When he realized it was a book about God he started to walk away and I asked simply why he didn't believe in God. He came over and sat down with me and told me his doubts and his view of christianity. I spent the next twenty minutes answering questions and explaining my faith. As we spoke I found out that a Christian had gotten in an argument before and told him he was worthless because he didn't believe in God. I assured him that God creates everyone with a purpose and loves them no matter what and that he was not worthless. He was very open to what I told him about faith , and I later found out that even his close Christian friends are unable to talk much about God to him. His friends were amazed that he was open to what I said that a few of them asked me questions of things they didn't understand. It's truly amazing to be able to share my faith and encourage others. "

This is one of many awesome stories we recieve on a weekly basis from our Campus Missionaries! Are you actively reporting your struggles and victories if you are one? Are you actively praying for and mentoring a student as a Campus Missionary? If not, why!?!?!?! Let's do our part and reach our schools! Great job Grace!

See you tomorrow!

New week, new school, new focus!

2011-03-01T06:32:00.001-05:00

Thats right ladies and gentlemen! It's Tuesday which means it's time to turn our hearts, minds and prayers towards heaven and the school campus in and around our communities!

Here is the prayer focus for this week!!

Pray for youth pastors and youth ministries in communities statewide. Sure there are a ton, but when was the last time we stopped and prayed for our youth workers or youth pastor? These are the people who are giving their lives to try and disciple the very students we hope to reach. It's our desire with Youth Alive to recruit, equip and deploy Campus Missionaries statewide and no one has a greater impact on the training and discipling of some students more than their youth worker! Please take time this week to pray that God would ENCOURAGE youth pastors and workers. Take it from me, it can be a very difficult task to pour your life out and not get much in return. Especially emotionally! Ministry is tiring and difficult at times! Often it takes a lifetime to see the harvest of the seed you plant! Pray that God would EMPOWER youth workers statewide. Pray specifically that these workers would have the wisdom, guidance and motivation to carry out the will of God in their church and community! Youth Alive would not function properly on a state level without the involvement of Youth workers at every step in the process! Pray that God would EXCITE our youth workers. Pray that basically they would move forward full steam ahead with the plan to get on their campuses any way possible and they would not give up until God lets them! (Which He wont!) :)

________________________

Of course, We wouldn't leave you hanging on a bright and early Tuesday morning without presenting you a school of the week to pray for! Pray for the school, the campus missionaries (which I'll list) and the churches that can actively reach that school! We want to see the hand of God on display in that community!

What school? What community? I'm glad you asked!

This week's school of the week is....

Jennings County High School!

We're excited to announce Jennings County High School as this week's school of the week!

Jennings County High School is located in North Vernon, Indiana, a smaller community in the SE part of the state.

JCHS is home not only to the Panthers, but to nearly 1600 students in grades 9-12!

We're proud to say that one of our very first Youth Alive clubs in the state was started right here at Jennings County High School!

Here's a great group of Campus Missionaries you can pray for this week as well as the club!

Jennings County High School CM's:
Ashley M.
Lauren M.
Kayla S.
AJ S.
Brady T.

Have a great day everyone and we'll be back tomorrow with another exciting post about great things students are doing for the cause of Christ on their schools and in their communities!

What a weekend!

2011-02-28T18:01:00.000-05:00

WOW! We have been busy! In a good way!

This last weekend we had the opportunity to host a dinner of about 10 friends and extend the invitation to join our support team! We had a great time at my brother's house eating spaghetti with meatballs, garlic bread, salad and of course ice cream! We played cards and all talked the night away after we were able to present the need to reach our mission field right here in Indiana.

We're so grateful for awesome friends who love and believe in us! We are excited to hear back from these friends very soon about their decisions to join the team! They are truly an answer to prayer!

The dinner was Saturday night, and bright and early Sunday morning we had the chance to head over to the east side of Terre Haute and attended a morning service at Victory Christian Center. It was a refreshing morning where we weren't there to minister or be recognized or cast vision, but rather to connect and be ministered to. We had a chance to meet with their new Pastor Craig McGee and are planning a time to connect over lunch soon. We are VERY excited for the awesome days ahead for VCC.

Sunday afternoon provided a little relaxation as we headed to Applebees and ate a nice lunch with a giftcard that was given to us! (Praise God!) :D After lnuch we headed over to the local Books a Million to relax with some magazines and of course for me, a cup of coffee.

From there we headed north of Terre Haute to the town of Clinton! Home of the Little Italy Festival! My dad grew up in Clinton and I spent lots of time there as a kid because my grandma lived there! It was kinda cool to go to the local Assembly of God church that night to share the vision and heart that God has given us! We're so thankful to Pastor Houser who gave us a portion of their service to share the need! Those students at South Vermillion and Riverton Parke need Jesus too! There really are NO SMALL PLACES!

After Sunday night's service we headed back to our friends house for an awesome homemade meal and the chance to relax. Thanks guys! :)

I can't say I got a TON of sleep though Sunday night, because some crazy thunderstorms roared through Terre Haute and woke me up on and off for a lil bit! Oh well, I'll take it over snow for sure!

This morning was our last stop for our Terre Haute weekend tour as we met with Pastor Patrick Newton at Hulman Street Assembly of God. We had a great time conversing about the need for our local and state jr/sr high schools to be reached for the cause of Christ. We're excited to partner with Hulman Street Assembly in the future and excited to see them get ahold of the vision of reaching students in their community!

Well, as the day winds down I'm chilling at my favorite office space, Starbucks updating this blog and swigging back a cup of coffee enjoying the setting sun. God really is faithful friends, even when we don't deserve it, even when it seems like the world is falling apart around us...He's there! He cares! I'll leave you with a verse we heard Pastor Houser speak last night at Clinton AG, and it's a great one for us today!

Habakkuk 3:17-19 (ESV)

17 Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
19 GOD, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the deer’s;
he makes me tread on my high places.

It may not seem like you have much sometimes or that things aren't going your way, it's still up to you to rejoice in the one who is your savior! He WILL make you walk on higher places!

Much love! See ya tomorrow!

Outreach Ideas for Thursday! Plus, a bonus treat!

2011-02-24T16:51:00.000-05:00

OK, it's Thursday, in my world, I spent last night watching some NBA and College Basketball. My Pacers are on a roll (finally!). Anyways, things don't look so good for the Indiana Hoosiers (yes I am a fan...)

All this talk is a reminder that March is around the corner, and along with March, comes a bit of "Madness" for the typical College Basketball fan. :D

With that in mind, I have unashamedly ripped this outreach from the throws of one of Youth Alive's finest...Mary Winslow. She is the national Campus Club Coordinator for Youth Alive and one awesome mamma-jamma.

Here's an idea for Outreach to your school campus/community.

March Madness - 3 on 3 Basketball Tourney. To reach out to your school, have your club host a 3-on-3-basketball tournament. Hand out gift bags to each participant with candy, soda, and a copy of the Book of Hope. To further reach out to your school, you can share the good news of Jesus, or bring in a Christian speaker (maybe a graduate of your school) who played college basketball to share their story and present the gospel message.

This is a REALLY great idea and doesn't take a TON of planning on your part. Get some cheesy trophy and give it to the winners too. Everyone likes free stuff right!?!?!? Why not! Get on it today, Basketball season is still going strong for a while longer! :D

__________________

Bonus Point!

I told you I'd hook you up with a bonus treat today. You may hate your email inbox being flooded with spam and all that junk, trust me I DO! But here is one email newsletter you definitely should sign up for. It's actually called Alivewire. Feel free to bookmark it in your browser. It's got some great resources for campus clubs and leadership!

Here's the link, you can also access it anytime from our national website, click the banner at the top of the page!

http://youthalive.ag.org/alivewire/

Have an awesome weekend! Pray for us as we have a fundraising dinner and a couple of chances to connect with more Indiana churches!

Later!

New Campus Missionary Testimony to Report!

2011-02-23T16:39:00.000-05:00

It's Wednesday (ok, a lil late Wednesday) but we're here to bring to you yet another awesome testimony of how God is moving in and on our campuses already across the state of Indiana. This week's report/testimony comes from Hailey S. a middle school campus missionary who goes to John L. Mucculloch Middle School in Marion, IN!

She writes..."A couple days ago my friend S. saw my (Fire) bible and asked if she could see it I said sure. She started asking all these questions and said that she wants to know more about God. So now she brings her bible to school everyday and reads it consistently. And is trying to quit her smoking and cussing and trying to be able to come to my church...i have prayed with her and hopefully soon she will be able to come to my church and get saved!!"

We are so proud of students like Hailey and other Campus Missionaries from around the state who have taken the challenge to live like Christ and show his love boldly! Notice she was carrying her Fire Bible around with her AT SCHOOL! Great Job! Please take a minute today and pray for the Campus Missionaries as well as the Youth Alive Clubs we have all across the state.

Pray God will help them search after His heart first and allow them to help follow their CM commitments to PRAY, LIVE, TELL, SERVE and GIVE!

See you tomorrow!

Prayer Focus and New School of the Week!

2011-02-22T15:56:00.000-05:00

It's time again for another weekly prayer focus and a brand spanking new school of the week here at Indiana Youth Alive!

Here's the focus for your prayers this week 2/22/11 - 2/28/11

Prayer Focus: Pray for the community in which students live in. Student's lives are more than simply influenced by their schools. Their communities, where they live have a massive impact on their spiritual formation. Pray specifically for the home life of students in our communities. Students all across the state return from school day after day to broken homes and abusive situations. Even our church going students are in no way immune to these things. Verbal, emotional and physical abuse abound in homes of students. Not only are they witnesses to it, many of them are also victims. This has a profound impact on their relationship not only with Christ, but others around them at school. Partner with us this week in believing for protection from abusive situations in our homes and that students would begin to see the restorative power of God on display in their lives and in the lives of their friends and family.

DRUMROLL PLEASE!!!!

................................................

This week's school of the week is...

Owensville Community School!

We have a good grip of Campus Missionaries that have come out of OCS down in SW Indiana. Many of these students at this K-8 feed into the larger Gibson-Southern High School. There are approximately 151 6-8 grade students at Owensville Community School. As you think about and pray for the school of the week, pray for these Campus Missionaries there as well!

Owensville Community School CM's:
Jaylin B.
Hannah B.
Tevor I.
Emili M.
Kolten T.

Check back in tomorrow to hear the stories from one CM or Club and thanks for partnering with us to reach the students of Indiana by being a Prayer Zone Partner!

What a weekend!

2011-02-21T21:43:00.000-05:00

Hey friends! WOW! What a weekend! We were busy for sure!

We consider ourselves blessed when we rush to and fro doing the work and sharing the vision God has called us to! We definitely did plenty of rushing and driving this weekend! :D

We had an amazing opportunity to go to Angola this weekend and be a part of a lock-in at Angola Assembly of God called Imprisoned:2011. There were nearly 90 people, mostly students there that night from Angola and Marion. I had the opportunity to share a little of our heart for those students and challenge them to fully commit to the lifestyle God has called them to!

After crashing on some church chairs I pushed together (thanks Brian!) Tiff and I caught just a couple winks before we pulled ourselves up on Saturday morning to go and hang out with the students at Pokagon State Park and watch a ton of people go Toboganning. That is a sight to behold!

We were blessed to have a hotel room Saturday night and slept well before waking up early Sunday and speaking to the Sunday morning crowd at Angola Assembly. It was a great sight to see all of the church gathering around the students in the altar that morning!

We hustled out of Angola through the massive snowflakes that started falling during the sermon, so we could make it back home to change before heading to Springhill Christian Center in Mooresville Sunday night. We were definitely blessed this weekend to be a part of a lock-in, Sunday morning worship as well as the missions convention last night.

God is so faithful! We are excited to have these churches and many more like them join our support team very soon! Keep praying for us! I'd love to be OVER 50% of our budget raised by Memorial Day and 100% by Labor Day! Through God ANYTHING is possible!

Blessings friends!

Josh

Reach Out Thursday!

2011-02-17T15:09:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone!

It's time again to throw the focus towards Reaching Out to your local school campuses!

I had the chance yesterday to sitdown with a local youth pastor here in the Indianapolis area and we were just talking and dreaming about what Youth Alive would look like in his community.

He wanted some ideas about how to connect with his school and reach out to his campuses even if they were 'closed' (like to pastors eating lunch with students).

In reality the lunch thing is old news friends. Here's a great way to reach out to your school by serving them. Ask you athletic boosters or athletic director if they need help working the concession stands at sporting events! What a better way to get to meet students and get your face out to people in the community.

If you get the chance to serve in the beautiful popcorn shack or hot dog stand at your local school design, print and wear a AWESOME (notice...not LAME) t-shirt that would represent your student ministry well! It may spark a conversation.

If you are lucky enough to make any kind of profit (note, you probably won't, but then again when is serving about profiting?) put up a sign or tip jar to let people know that the money is being poured back into the students in your community through camps, fine arts, missions work or whatever!

I know it means you'll have to take and work an extra evening, but get some parents and students involved. Create some ownership and when your students friends see them hanging with you and peddling their Air-Heads, Nachos and Cheese and bottled waters they just may be inclined to ask that friend what they were doing working to begin with.

Which will open the door for conversation and invitation...

I know it sounds so easy doesn't it! It just takes a lil investigation and work! You can totally do it! And I'm POSITIVE the moms of the football and baseball teams will totally appreciate a night off to watch their kids actually play! :)

Much Love! Have a great weekend!

CM Focus for This week!

2011-02-16T10:23:00.000-05:00

We are so excited to bring you this week's Campus Missions focus! Again, we want to take time every week to clue you in on what is going on in the lives of our students who are on Campus and living out their Christ centered faith everyday at school! Or in this weeks case...wherever they go!

Remember, every student commits to developing the 5 Habits of a Campus Missionary! PRAY, LIVE, TELL, SERVE, and GIVE! This week is a great showcase of one CM's commitment to her friends, her family and her family's friends! Check it out...

Elizabeth C. who is a CM in Franklin, IN.

Well a couple of weeks ago i was going to a family reunion and my grandmother brought a friend and her name is S. to make a long story short we were talking about Life and karma and philosophy. I brought up the God conversation and she said that she talked to God and went to church a couple of times. Then I asked her if she had ever prayed the (sinner's) prayer and she said "the only prayer i know of and pray is the lord's prayer". Then I asked her about Romans 10:9-10 and she said "before you waste your time and go any further, i have 4 kids, a husband, two jobs and my prayer and nobody is going to tell me how to live especially a 14 year old girl cause I've been through it..." then she thanked me for the chat and left... a couple weeks later my grandmother called me and said she had talked to S. and said S. is doing better.. and then she said "S. told me to thank you because after she talked to you she realized that she needed to change and she is ding much better" and i was so thrilled... and after that i prayed and i thanked God for the work he is doing in her.. so please keep her in your prayers and thanks for listening... thanks, Elizabeth C.

School of the Week/Prayer Focus!

2011-02-15T19:46:00.000-05:00

Well, good evening friends! It's been a crazy busy Tuesday, but here we are working late into the evening. I'm watching the Pacers get stomped by the Miami Heat right now as I type this blog entry! Ministry is never a dull moment when you can learn to multi-task!

I want to encourage you this week to multi-task as you drive around your community or see a person at the store wearing a hoodie or t-shirt from your local school. Pray for them! Here is this weeks specific prayer focus!

Pray for bus drivers! These group of individuals are often overlooked! They are responsible for the protection and safety of a vast majority of students statewide. Many also allow music to be played on the radio on their school buses. My aunt is a bus driver and she is also a Pastor! She would play Christian music over the radio as her way to 'witness' to students because she wasn't allowed to 'directly' speak to students about Christ's love. We have many Christians as well as church staff members statewide who are dedicated school bus drivers! Pray for God's divine protection and favor with students! Pray also for those students on the school buses. There are a lot of crude things that happen on our public school buses and we need to believe that God can turn even our buses into a better place for students! Pray that our Christian students who ride these buses would be willing to stand for what they believe instead of being pressured into poor moral decisions.

______________________

Without further ado, here is this weeks school of the week and some of our awesome Campus Missionaries that attend that school!

MADISON-GRANT HIGH SCHOOL - FAIRMOUNT, INDIANA

This weeks school of the week is Madison-Grant High School in Fairmount, IN. There are just over 500 students that attend Madison-Grant, but we have a great group of Campus Missionaries on that campus! Take time this week, no matter where you live to pray for those students that are CM's as well as the entire campus of Madison-Grant High School!

Here are the names of our CM's at Madison-Grant.
Janel B.
Elayna F.
Taylor H.
Taylor M.
Jessica S.
Thomas S.
Tanner M.
Halie J.
Dustin S.

Thanks for taking the time to focus in and take part in our first priority of Youth Alive...PRAYER!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-14T11:59:00.001-05:00

Much to the despair of people worldwide, it is once again Valentine's Day!

I must say that today in all of it's celebratory ways has taken on a brand new meaning to me since we've been married! I was never the world's biggest Valentine's Day fanatic and I still play second fiddle to Tiffany's passion for the holiday, but that said...I'm coming around to it.

I do want to take a second on this self proclaimed 'day of love' and do a couple of things.

1. Show love for our faithful supporters!

We simply cannot put into words how much your prayers, words of encouragement and financial blessings have been to us over the last 10 months! It was actually a year ago today that we announced our transition to the church we were youth pastoring. It definitely made for a bitter sweet Valentine's Day then, but how far we have come since then is simply a miracle! We love you all and can never feel like we say thank you enough! I know it may sound cliche, but words can't express our gratitude! Please resolve to pray even harder this year for us. We'd ask you pray for our health, safety as we travel, financial provision and pray for our marriage! Afterall, it IS Valentine's Day! :)

2. Show some love for my 'partner-in-crime'.

I love my wife and I'm not sure if people really know the asset she is to Youth Alive here in Indiana, not only just to me! Her heart and passion for reaching Jr/Sr high school students on their campus is unparallelled in anyone I know...and that includes myself. I may SEEM more passionate, but trust me, Tiffany blows me out of the water. She's more than just our state co-director, she's my world! She challenges me to think outside the box, to do new things, to stay on task AND to multitask! Without her, I'm not sure we would be where we are at right now. One more note about her. She has spent the last 6 months working her tail off as a lifeguard and swim lesson instructor simply so we could survive. If that doesn't speak to her selfless spirit and heart to reach students no matter the cost, I don't know what does. She'd much rather be on the road with me when I have meetings or travel to speak when she's scheduled to work...and I'd LOVE to have her there too! But she's a hard workin girl who I adore! Thanks baby!

3. Show some Love to the one who gives it best!

You know who I'm talking about. I just want to take a second and thank God for ~~everything He has done for us.~~ WHO HE IS.

He is righteous, holy, sovereign, a healer, a king, a servant, a Lord. He is just, pure, all-knowing, ever-present and all powerful.

About what he does...

God always comes through for us. He has never failed us. Even when our finite minds don't get it...we know He does.

He's healed me of cancer and held us through that ordeal, helped us through my dad's death and the grieving processes, He's helped us through some trying times in life and even our relatively young marriage!

In case you forgot it today, God IS love. He LOVES unconditionally. He LOVES you in spite of yourself! (Thanks Jesus!) He LOVES you when you don't even think anyone can.

That's why we can do what we do. Because of God. Because of HIS LOVE. I am so grateful! Did I mention that I LOVE HIM TOO!?!?!?

He who does not love has not become acquainted with God, for God is love. 1 John 4: 8

I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another. By this shall all know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.
John 13:34-35

Love you all! See you tomorrow!

Reach out Thursday!

2011-02-10T23:21:00.001-05:00

Every week on Thursdays we will focus on the fourth strategy Youth Alive deploys to connect churches to schools statewide.

Many who have been affiliated with Youth Alive in the past may simply think that Outreach = The 7 project. That is no longer the case!

We will cover Seven in greater detail at a later date but each Thursday we want to share ideas for outreach to your local school campuses. These ideas will be easily implemented by youth groups, clubs, churches, or individual students!

Over time we also will highlight some various outreaches that have been happening across the state as well as ideas!

Here's an easy and quick one to get you started. Pull out the staff directory at your local school and adopt a teacher or staff of the week! Write them a card or letter from yourself or group having individual students hand sign it with a note. Pool together for a small gift card to a local Starbucks or Panera or similar place and gift this to them! A $5 or $10 unexpected suprise will go a long way! Let them know you care and want to honor them for the work they do for the students, school and community. Get permission to hang posters touting the teacher of the week!

By doing small things like this you as a student, club or youth group begin to develop a culture of honor and respect that many of our schools and classrooms are lacking! It can grow tedious sometimes and YOU may not think a certain teacher deserves honor, but remember that God gives special honor to the things which lack it.

Let's reach out to our campus by creating a culture of honor, respect and service to those who invest their lives to educate us!

See you next week!

Campus Missions Focus for Wednesday!

2011-02-09T11:57:00.000-05:00

Every Wednesday we will highlight either a Campus Missionary or a Youth Alive club that has reported to us recently! Their posts will be raw and mostly unedited (we will protect names for privacy and add italics where further explanation may be needed).

With over 640,000 students that walk through the hallways of Indiana public schools every day, we need a Godly movement of students willing to commit to being who they say they are on Sundays and Wednesdays...LIKE-CHRIST!

With that, we as Youth Alive missionaries strive to Recruit, Equip and Deploy Campus Missionaries to reach their mission field every day. 180 days of their school year! A Campus Missionary commits to 5 spiritual habits to grow in daily. A CM commits to PRAY, LIVE, TELL, SERVE and GIVE. Something we ALL should strive to do every day! No matter who we are or how old we may get!

Here is this week's CM focus for today and the week of February 9-15. This report was sent to us from Janel B. who is a Campus Missionary at Madison-Grant High School in Fairmount, Indiana. She excitedly reports this to us...

Janel B. from Madison-Grant High School

"Well this is my second month to begin with(being a CM) i really enjoyed telling my friends about Jesus and how he is our creator, protector, and healer. I thought it was very good that 2 of my friends are becoming more interested(in Jesus). I gave them the Book of Hope and asked them to read it. I think I might convince them to turn to are Lord. I love how praying and committing myself to Jesus really seems to make me feel freer and a lot less stressed. I know that I need to work on some things like committing to give and I pray everyday that with God in my life I'll better myself and even help others to believe! "

We need more students like Janel across Indiana! Consider praying today and this week for CM's just like her. As well as the Youth Alive Clubs that many of our Campus Missionaries attend weekly! Pray that God will help them be a light to their world, especially their school campuses! We are so excited to be a part of student's like Janel's life and get to hear first hand encounters of what God is doing in their lives!

Tuesday Prayer Focus & School of the Week!

2011-02-08T08:09:00.000-05:00

This week we are excited to present a weekly prayer focus for our Prayer Zone Partners all across Indiana.

PRAYER FOCUS FOR THE WEEK OF 2/8 - 2/14!

Pray for school administrations this week. Pray that God will give them wisdom and guidance as they lead our state's schools, deal with discipline issues and student's futures. Pray for open doors with administrators to the Gospel message to be presented on school campuses statewide. Also, pray for their protection at and away from school grounds.

SCHOOL OF THE WEEK 2/8 - 2/14

Brownsburg High School

This week's school of the week is Brownsburg High School in Brownsburg, Indiana. The high school has approximately 2,192 students in 9-12 grades.

We ask you to pray this week for Brownsburg High School, the students, the teachers and administrators! We ask specifically for you to pray for the 4 Campus Missionaries Youth Alive has on campus.

Here are their names. (Last names protected for privacy purposes!)
- Alex E.
- Brandon M.
- Jamie W.
- Samantha M.

You can pray this prayer, or say one of your own!

God, I pray that you would have your hand upon Brownsburg High School today. I pray that you would give divine protection to the students and staff on that school campus. I pray that you would give opportunities for the name of Jesus to be proclaimed and lived on that school campus. I pray specifically for those Campus Missionaries that you would give them boldness to live out their life for Christ and fulfill the call you've put on their lives to Pray, Live, Tell, Serve and Give. Bring the hearts of the school, that community back to you God. Amen.

New things coming this week!

2011-02-08T06:53:00.000-05:00

We are so excited this week to start something new on this blog! We are hoping that it will help give not only some added traffic to this site, LOL, but seriously some direction for those of you wanting to be more involved with what Youth Alive is all about. Reaching Students in our Jr/Sr High Schools.

So starting this week we will be posting to this blog every Monday-Thursday. On Monday's we want to be transparent about our itineration updates and what we've been up to and where we're going! We'll do our best to keep you up to date on where our budget is at and what you can do to help pray and support us as we strive to accomplish this task!

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays will bring focus to the other aspects of Youth Alive and ideas and strategies for how you can implement them in your life!

Tuesdays will hit the first strategy of YA, Prayer. We want to challenge EVERY reader of this blog to become a Prayer Zone Partner and begin praying for not only schools in your community, but also a school we will display every week. We also will provide first names of students (No last names for privacy purposes) who attend that specific school who are Campus Missionaries with Youth Alive!

Wednesdays will focus a spotlight on Campus Missionaries and Clubs from around the state. We will give you a few insights into the life of a student who is reporting here in Indiana about the things going on in their school and life. They may be serious, funnny, spiritual, positive, negative sometimes. But one thing they will always be is REAL. We want to showcase the reality of things that are going on in clubs and in lives of students that we are reaching/trying to reach. We may even throw in a few strategies for our CM friends as well! :)

Thursdays will focus on how to be a light to the campuses in your specific communities. We may pull stories from things that are happening around the US, or locally here in Indiana. We also want to provide some ideas for how you as an individual, a church or a youth group can reach out to your community by serving your schools!

The Itineration Update!

2011-02-07T18:07:00.000-05:00

Hello friends and faithful followers! :)

We had quite the interesting time this last week! As many of you were, we too got slammed with ice and snow early on last week!

I was able to get in a meeting before the storm, although I had to reschedule 2 meetings in lieu of the snow and ice!

I had a great chance to make it up to Lafayette and sit down with Pastor Steve Covert over a delicious lunch at Chili's! It was great to get to meet Pastor Covert and talk about the excitement that is happening in his church and around Lafayette! They are in a very unique situation having built their church nearly 10 years ago in the middle of a field near many housing developments...now with the rapid growth and over population of some of the schools there, the school corporation has bought the property next to their church and is almost done with a brand new elementary school! Rumors also point to a new high school campus coming behind that school as well! All of this within walking distance of their church building! AWESOME! Talk about potential and opportunity as a body of believers!

I returned home where Tiffany and I waited out the storm and spent many hours scraping and defrosting our vehicle trapped in the tundra outside! I wasn't able to make it to Muncie for the 2 meetings I had scheduled, but we were able to escape and head NORTH! We made it to Demotte, Indiana where we had the chance to stay with great friends and faithful supporters before our Sunday morning service in Knox, IN at Trinity Assembly of God!

Unfortunately Tiffany had come down with some kind of cold that was just zapping her energy so I reluctantly forced her to stay at home and rest. I made it to Knox on Sunday and had an absolutely wonderful time with the people there! I so appreciate the heart and service of Pastor's Mike and Sheila Erway! They are great people and an asset to the kingdom of God!

Well, on another note, we are so thankful to welcome a few new faces to our support team! We welcome Bethany Strawn, Jerry and Suzzette McCarley and Cross Tabernacle to our team! We are so greatful for their friendship, partnership and heart to help us reach the students across Indiana with the Gospel of Jesus Christ!!

Keep praying friends, according to my calculations we still want to get this budget knocked out by Labor Day! What are you able to do to help!?!?!? We'd love to have you jump on board today!!!!

On the road...for now!

2011-01-31T11:18:00.000-05:00

Hey friends! I'm updating this blog today from my mobile office! Yes, you guessed it...Starbucks! Ok, well I'm actually in the parking lot right now, because I'm gearing up for another meeting with a potential YA supporter and church pastor here in Lafayette, IN!

We are so excited how God continues to open new doors for us as missionaries here in Indiana! We were priveleged to be with the Lopez family yesterday at Pathway Church (formerly Calvary Temple) in Portage, Indiana!

I'm supposed to be having this meeting today in Lafayette and then heading to Muncie tomorrow to hangout with another Pastor, then back to Muncie on Thursday for another meeting! If the weather man is correct though it looks like my Muncie extravaganza may be postponed a week or two! Evidently we are supposed to get an inch plus of ice as well as the potential of 10 inches of snow! SAY WHAT!?!?!?!

Thank God for a 4X4 Ford Explorer! Pray for us this week if I do travel and for continued favor with churches, pastors and individuals! We NEED to get this budget KO'd by Labor Day so we Don't Waste Another School Year!

OK! I'm out!

Love you all!
Josh

Just a random thought?

2011-01-24T11:24:00.000-05:00

Good Monday morning friends of Indiana Youth Alive! I hope you've all had an amazing weekend and that you had a great time encountering the presence of God at church, in your home, bed, closet, mall, restaurant, theater, or wherever!

We had a great day yesterday with Brandon and Catie Shuey at Lake Shafer Christian Center in Monticello, IN! We had the chance to meet them at camp last summer and God really birthed a friendship between Brandon and I and allowed them to really tune into the vision God placed on our hearts!

We're so thankful for our supporters and prayer parters. Friends, trust me, there are times in the last 9 months I personally (Josh) would not have made it without the encouragement and prayers I know you all are sending our way! Don't stop yet! I'm so pumped that we are nearing this mental budget mark of 30%. Our motto is turning into "Don't Waste Another School Year" so we can try and hurry in our race to finish this budget and we are strongly believing and relying on the Lord that the final 70% will burst onto the scene by September 5, 2011, aka Labor Day.

Pray for us and remember also for those we work with on a weekly, daily and monthly basis. A specific prayer would be that we would not lose patience, but that those who are desperate for Youth Alive in Indiana would not lose patience either! Sometimes we feel pretty pressured to just go ahead and do ministry with our mission field since we are 'already living amongst the natives'.

Let me speak a word of encouragement here. We wouldn't ask a world missionary to just go and move to Africa without their budget in order, nor would we expect a Asian missionary to go ahead and open that orphanage when the funding is not yet there. If they poured all of their attention into the work of reaching the mission field before their finances were in order, not only would their finances probably never get in order, those prospective potential partners would not see the need for funding because 'they are already doing the work, so they must be ok to go'.

Friends, I compel you, pray for patience among our hearts and the hearts of others! Not only that, pray that people jump onto the need that is so desperately here! We can't afford to waste another schoolyear! If you haven't considered supporting a missionary as an individual, why not? Do it today! Click the link on the right side of this page!

We need your help and the students of Indiana are desperate for the TRUTH about Jesus Christ and his LOVE for them!

Much Love!
Josh

Ozark time!

2011-01-17T14:07:00.001-05:00

Tiffany and I have had the privelege to hang out in Springfield, MO these last few days and have spent sometime with friends and supporters alike.

While we were here we also had the chance to do some shoring up of support for us and Indiana Youth Alive!

We are so excited to welcome longtime friends Phil and Emily Gocke to our support team as well as Dr. Don & Kathy Johns! Thank you so much for partnering with us to reach our mission field of over 600,000 students in Indiana!

Friends, if you have not yet partnered with us, would you consider doing so today!? It's our goal to be at 100% of our budget by labor day of this year 2011!

Maybe by faith you can do $100 a month! Maybe less, maybe more!
Click the link on our page to join our team today! We need you and countless students across Indiana need you!

Mobile update!

2011-01-11T09:00:00.001-05:00

Hey friends! I'm trying to create new ways to keep us connected with you all! I'm updating this blog today from my cellphone! Oh the joys of technology!

Anyways keep us in prayer this week as we travel through these wintry mixes we have here in the Midwest! We will be speaking at a youth service in Jasonville Indiana on Wednesday night and then heading to Springfield, Mo on Thursday morning!

Also keep praying for us as we strive to get this budget raised by labor day of this year! We are always looking to add new monthly partners to our team, so if you would like more info email us at indianayouthalive@gmail.com or if you know anyone looking to support missionaries point them our way!

We are praying to add $155 in New monthly support every week until labor day and I know that God is capable! We love you all and appreciate your prayer and support!

A New Year, A New Goal...(kind of)

2011-01-03T11:07:00.000-05:00

Hey friends!

I hope everyone had an amazing Christmas and New Years! Tiffany and I sure did! It was great to take some much needed time off and relax! I was able to hit the gym and am well on my way to sticking with New Year's Contract number 1. I intend on working out AT LEAST 3 times a week for an hour each time. I know some of you are like, yea, yea, we've heard people make that commitment before. I'm taking mine on a month by month contract with myself. I want to make sure I'm not being stupid and can actually stick with this!

I have resolved to do something else amazing in 2011. Get the rest of this missions budget raised! We currently are hovering around the 25% mark of our monthly budget coming in! This means we still need the other 75% of our budget to come in before we can even step foot onto our school campuses, or train students and leaders alike! With God I KNOW that all things are possible and that he is bringing new people alongside of us in this ministry every day. I'll be frank with you! It would be incredible if we could be fully budgeted by September 5th of 2011. We need an additional $5,400 in monthly support to cover everything from work expenses, travel, insurances and salary. This may seem like a formidable task, but I KNOW that God has called us to this mission field and we have students that desperately need to hear the message of Hope and Life NOW.

Would you consider partnering with us on a monthly basis? No commitment is too small. We welcome anything that you could do and I KNOW that God is going to be faithful to all of us involved. Here's the breakdown.

In order to be fully budgeted we need $5,400 in MONTHLY SUPPORT coming in.

September 5th is Labor Day. 35 weeks from today. In order to get our monthly support raised, we need to raise, according to my calculations $155 per week to get fully budgeted. I know this seems like a formidable task, and in man's eyes it is. But I know that God is faithful, and he wants to use YOU to be a part of reaching the next generation of America!

Here's a few words to be encouraged today!

1 Thessalonians 5:24-25 (Message)
24 The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he’ll do it!25 Friends, keep up your prayers for us!

Matthew 25:21 (NIV)
21 "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

Proverbs 11:24-25 (NLT)
24 Give freely and become more wealthy;
be stingy and lose everything.
25 The generous will prosper;
those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed

Luke 6:38 (NCV)
38 Give, and you will receive. You will be given much. Pressed down, shaken together, and running over, it will spill into your lap. The way you give to others is the way God will give to you.”

2 Corinthians 9:6-12 (ESV)
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written,

“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”

He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.

______________________

We love you! Pray for us! Consider partnering with us today! We WILL get to these schools this year!

Love,
Josh and Tiff

Sorry! I've missed you!

2010-12-16T09:43:00.000-05:00

Hey there! I know, I know, I looked at the most recent post and realized it was nearly 3 months ago. My bad.

Well, I can say this will be our last post of 2010, but Tiffany and I have resolved to update this EVERY Monday starting in 2011. Don't belive me! Call, Email, Text, Fax me and hold me to it!

We have been pretty crazy busy here in the last few months, traveling around 6,000 miles (give or take a couple) visiting pastors, scheduling meetings and services. It's been good, but crazy!

___________________________

I do have some exciting news on the budget front! We have nearly broke the 25% mark of our monthly budget being raised! Keep praying for us! If you haven't partnered with us yet? Why not! Click on the join our team page and learn how! Either that or click the link on the right side of the page! We've still got 75% of the budget to raise and need to do it in less than a year! Come on! No commitment is too small!
___________________________

Just for kicks I'm going to be toying around with the site and seeing if there are some new ways to connect, keep people updated about our life and travels. I've got the newsletter page posted, so I hope you use that feature! I'm thinking about a calendar to add as well.

If you're a pastor out there or have a pastor at your local church, we would love to talk to you about setting up a lunch meeting or coffee to sit down and talk about reaching the students of Indiana and how Tiffany and I intend to do that with Youth Alive! Feel free to email us at indianayouthalive@gmail.com and we can set something up!
___________________________

Ok, well, we want you to know that we love you all and hope that you all have an amazing Christmas and safe and happy New Year!

See you in 2011!

Josh

We've been on the move!

2010-09-27T14:05:00.000-04:00

This last couple of months has brought a whirlwind of activity to Tiffany and I as we've itinerated throughout the state and attended various gatherings such as Youth Pastors retreat and many Area Ministers meetings!

We have met with many friends and pastors who have given favorable indication that they and their respective churches and/or ministries will hopefully be partnering financially with us soon! Praise God! If you have made those commitments verbally, and not carried out on them financially please do so! The quicker we get this budget raised, the quicker we will be ON THE FIELD!

We're pleased to announce that Tiffany and I will be relocating in October and moving to Noblesville! We are so excited and happy to live in our own place again! (Thanks Mom for letting us crash in your apartment for these last few months!)

I mentioned we wanted to start a new initiative and hopefully this will keep this blog more updated! We want to encourage all of our friends and families to join with us as we Pray for our school corporation of the week!

***SCHOOL CORPORATION OF THE WEEK***

Kankakee Valley School Corporation - Wheatfield, Indiana
For the week of September 26-October 2

I won't say I chose this at random, but I figured this is a great place to start! KVSC is located where Tiffany and I used to Youth Pastor in Demotte, IN. I substitute taught there for nearly 4 years!

Need some direction for how to pray? It doesn't have to be long and lengthy. Here are a few prayer points to get you started:

Students: Pray for the students in K-12. That God will protect them, help them make wise decisions. Pray that they may have an encounter with the presence of God on their school campuses.

Teachers: Pray for wisdom and that they will be protected as well. Pray for patience as they work with troubled students. Pray that they may see the light of Christ or even may be the light of Christ at their school.

Administration: Pray for wisdom and Godly favor. Pray that God will open closed doors and minds to allow the ministry of Jesus to take place in the hallways and classrooms of their schools. Pray that budgets and finances will not hamper the educational processes.

Campus Missionaries: Pray for these students who have committed to PRAY, LIVE, TELL, SERVE, and GIVE on their school campuses. Pray as well for the Youth Alive Club that has been started at the local high school!

_______________________________

You don't have to be from Demotte or know someone in the KV School Corporation to pray for them. Follow this link below to see the schools websites and possibly even get a better grasp on how to pray for them.

http://www.kv.k12.in.us/

Jesus said to Simon in Luke 22:32

"But Simon, I have prayed that your faith will be strong. And when you have come back to me, help the others."

Pray that the light of Christ will shine bright in that community!

If you would like for your local schools to be considered for school corp. of the week, let us know!

We are so grateful for your prayers and financial support! Thank you so much! We will reap the harvest in due time!

In the words of Journey..."Don't stop, believing!"

Love you all!
Josh & Tiff

New Youth Alive Clubs forming!

2010-08-30T10:59:00.000-04:00

We just got word that new Youth Alive club will be forming at Griffith High School this fall. We're stoked for the leader, Chloe Oliver and her friend who are starting it! She had no problems getting it approved by her principal, they were all for it! We're thankful for God's favor being upon Chloe when meeting with her principal! It's extremely rare that a principal would approve so easy.

Reasons like this are why we so desperately want to be budgeted soon! We've had many students express interest with us in wanting direction on how to start a Youth Alive club on their school's campuses. Until we're fully budgeted our hands are tied, we can't do much to help. Thankfully the National Youth Alive department has a great website with many resources that we can direct the students to. We also at this point are directing them to Mary Glenn, the National Campus Clubs director. Many students receive flack from their principals, many get denied, and many must go before the school board to have the club approved. Part of our job is coaching them through that process, helping them write any needed proposals, and even attending the school board meetings as moral support for them!!

Other new clubs forming this fall are in: Pendleton, Indiana and North Vernon, Indiana.

Pictures!

2010-08-20T14:23:00.000-04:00

Tiffany speaking to the students at Radiate Student Ministries in Bristol, Virginia at First Assembly of God!

Josh at The Exception in West Lafayette, Indiana @ Bethel Assembly of God

Josh preaching at Stormfront Youth @ Eagle Creek A/G!

Josh is speaking to the awesome students at Fusion Student Church @ Living Hope in Merrillville, Indiana!

The school year is upon us!

2010-08-20T14:11:00.000-04:00

Hey friends and faithful supporters!

We're so excited because the school year is in full-swing! (I'll probably be one of the few to say that!) We're going to launch an initiative on Sunday evening so keep your eyes and ears posted on the blog and on our facebook site. I'm really excited for what God has been doing!

We've had the chance to travel to and from Virginia, South Carolina and back home to Indiana! We are greatful for the meetings that we've had literally everyday this month!

Thanks so much to our newest supporters, Pastor Jim and Yvonne Clark, Calvary Assembly of God in Demotte Indiana, Dr. Mark and Kim Dobson, Elletsville First Assembly of God Youth, and Evansville Oak Hill Masters Commission! Praise God for our faithful friends and partners in reaching the students of Indiana!

We're excited and believing for great things! So keep posted for another great opportunity to put your faith in action this weekend!

Much Love!
Josh

A great month ahead!

2010-08-10T09:17:00.000-04:00

Well friends, August is here and we're excited because of all of the amazing things God has in store for us this month!

We've got a plethora of meetings scheduled so pray for God's favor as we plant the seed for students and campus ministry across Indiana!

Also, if you didn't know, school is starting back already! Some of our friends have already returned, some are starting this week and others will quickly follow!

Be praying for students and their school campuses across the state as they return to their mission field, the hallways and classrooms of their campuses!

We love you and what we do!

Josh

Itinerating Update!

2010-07-21T11:00:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone! We spent last night with friends Mark and Stacie Snodderly in Auburn, IN and got a chance to minister in their youth service! It was such a great time! God challenged all of our hearts to reach a generation for HIM!

Just wanted to let everyone know that 3 months into our fund-raising and itinerating we are rapidly approaching the 10% mark of monthly faith promises. If you haven't considered partnering with us yet...would you?

Here's a breakdown. We need some friends/family/strangers/churches/youth groups to partner with us! If we break it down we've got about 6,500 a month left to raise.

It seems large, but lets look at what you can do to help!

______

5 people doing $200 a month = $1000

10 people doing $100 a month = $1000

15 people doing $75 a month = $1125

25 people doing $50 a month = $1250

40 people doing $25 a month = $1000

50 people doing $20 a month = $1000

We can knock this thing out together! Consider partnering with us as to what you can do to be a part of changing the eternity of students every month!!!!

Updating the Website!

2010-07-16T11:05:00.000-04:00

Ok friends! You'll hopefully notice some changes made to the website! Notice the top navigation bar above the 4-fold strategy picture. It will help keep you up to date about whats buzzing with Indiana Youth Alive as we itinerate and raise our budget! You'll find valuable information about Tiff and I, as well as our prayer requests, current ministry partners and new needs as well as our brand spankin new NEWSLETTER section! Check it out! You'll need Adobe flash or some kind of flash player, but the site should walk you through the process. If you have problems seeing a newsletter feel free to click on it and view it full screen! We love you all and are excited about the amazing things God wants to do through the students here in Indiana!

Love,
Josh & Tiff

Camp is done! Itinerating update!

2010-07-14T12:35:00.000-04:00

Hey friends! We've had a blast as of late! We spent literally the entire month of June at Indiana Teen Camp and made tons of new friends!

We are currently following up and scheduling meetings/lunches/services with friends, pastors and churches statewide!

Our budget is getting close to that 10% mark! Keep praying for us as it's been 3 months now since we've started the itineration process! We know God is continuing to provide!

We'll keep you updated! I'm trying to figure new ways to put cool new things on this blog!

Love you all!
Josh and Tiff

Sign up to be a Campus Missionary!!!!!

2010-06-11T10:24:00.000-04:00

Hey friends! We're so glad we got to hang out with you all at camp this summer! Click the following link and fill out the forms completely including a coach which could be any adult that will help you along the way with your commitments!

If you can't find a coach feel free to put Tiffany or myself down.

Our email is IndianaYouthAlive@gmail.com

Click this link below and sign up TODAY!!!

SIGN ME UP!!!

PS. Once you sign up don't forget to REPORT EVERY MONTH and find us on Facebook!!!

We love you!

-Josh and Tiff

Reaching out to the Ozarks!

2010-05-28T12:08:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone!

We're in Springfield, MO for the Memorial Day weekend hanging out with students from Vector @ Praise Assembly here in town. We're doing their annual youth retreat called The Refuge. It's going to be a blast!

Pray for us as we travel back to Indiana to see all of your awesome faces!

BTW...Got awesome news about a Youth Alive club thats being started by CM Danny Waters at Pendleton High School this next fall! If you go to PHS, then sign up! Be the light in the darkness yo!

Ok, last thing. Who's ready for camp???? <----These two!

We can't wait! Only 10 days left until Lake Placid is flooded with the sounds of cackling teenage girls and the smells of jr high body odor! YES!

See you there!

Til then,
Much Love!

Josh & Tiff

On the road again!

2010-05-07T16:42:00.000-04:00

Hey friends! Tiff and I have taken the message of Indiana Youth Alive on the road! We've been shoring up support and connecting with friends and family as well as meeting some awesome students/people in Virginia and Pittsburgh, PA! We've clocked well over 1,000 miles and we've still got to go back to Indiana this Monday! Then Tuesday we fly to Florida for the national Youth Alive Missionary Retreat!

We'd ask that you'd continue to pray for us as we travel and minister to churches, youth groups and students all over the eastern half of this country! We can't wait to be back home again!

Also, we'd love for you to seriously pray and consider joining the Indiana Youth Alive support team! We give our lives to reach the Jr/Sr High School campuses for Christ and we can't do it without the help of people like you!

Click the links on this page to either do it online, or click, print and mail it in!

Thanks! Here's a pic I took in Pittsburgh at the amazing Quaker Steak and Lube (a delicious wing joint)! I'll post more pics when we can!

See ya!
Josh & Tiff

May 2010 Newsletter is here!

2010-04-28T15:03:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone! The May 2010 Indiana Youth Alive newsletter is here!

Click here to read it!

Keep us in prayer as we're heading to the states of Virginia and Pennsylvania in the next couple weeks to shore up support and cast vision for our students right here in Indiana!

We love you!

- Josh and Tiff

Welcome!

2010-04-20T11:15:00.000-04:00

Greetings Friends! Welcome to the new Indiana Youth Alive website!

We're Josh and Tiffany Pearman and we're the new candidate US Missionaries for Indiana Youth Alive! God is about to embark us on an amazing journey of a lifetime and we'd LOVE for you to partner with us!

We're hitting the itineration trail this week in hopes of shoring up support. Would you consider helping us out? We'd love to have you sign up to be a part of our team!

We commit to doing what we've set out to do no matter what! We will keep you informed and aware of what's going on and how your dollars are helping us affect the students of this state!

There are a few ways you can do this and I promise you your info is confidential and the USmissions site is protected and legit!

Click on the links to partner with us!

Partner with us Monthly!
Set up a Recurring Credit/Debit withdrawl of support!
Help by giving a special gift/donation!

In case you needed it, our missions account number is 2476448

Thank you so much for partnering with us as we set out to impact our students!

WE LOVE YOU!

Feel free to drop us an email at IndianaYouthAlive@gmail.com

Josh & Tiff