An Open Letter to My Old Junior High Pastor

(Mark Oestreicher, Jeff Thune, and Me at Ped Mall in Iowa City)

This summer is the 20 year anniversary of when I first "got it."

You see, I was a Christian butthead. I grew up in church, prayed "the prayer" every night ("God if you didn't hear me last night, I really don't want to go to hell. I invite you into my life once again as my personal Savior."), but I had a problem. I was an angry, violent, insecure skate punk.

My mom, along with Sally Kuphal (my friend's mom), conspired to get Joe and me on a mission trip to Mexico. They brokered a deal with Marko, the junior high pastor, that we would both go if we could be together the entire 10 days of the trip. And so it happened, we went kicking, but not screaming, because we figured, "Ehh, it can't be that lame if we can be together. We should be able to endure this uncool group for a week."

It was the first time I prayed out loud in a group (other than my family), saw poverty, got caught up in corporate worship, felt "called" to something bigger than skating, made friends other than Joe... (One of them I'm currently planting a church with. Cosmic accident?)

I look back on that summer as one of the top ten defining moments of my life.

But somewhere in the middle- between a 13 year old spoiled American skate punk and a loving and good God- was a junior high pastor who believed that 13 year olds are worth it.

Nineteen years later, as divine providence would have it, Jeff Thune and I got a Facebook message from our old junior high pastor, "Hey, I'm in Iowa City doing some training for youth pastors. I heard you guys are here! Let's hang out." Of course, 20 years later he's going stronger than ever, loving teenagers (he still has a small group at his church) and training youth workers (he travels the world, speaking, writing, and mentoring).

From 13 year old punk to 33 year old church planter. That's me. I have a trail of people to thank along the way.

Thanks, Marko, for believing that teenagers can change the world. Bless you, my friend.

P.S.- You can find Marko at markoestreicher.com

A Glimpse of Worship in the Bar

First Salt in the Blue Moose - How He Loves from Veritas Church on Vimeo.

What God did

Here's a short highlight reel:

- People... about 175-200 of them. There were probably 50 or so well wishers there from Ames, which was so encouraging to see their overwhelming support.

- Jeff Thune teaching... he went yard with the first talk, speaking on God's glory and how we're wired to delight in him

- Connection Groups... I think a lot of the connection groups filled up- except Jeremiah's. Apparently the sign he thought would scare freshmen INTO his group actually scared them away.

- Iowa students... I met tons of new people. One guy's zipper was down, but I didn't think we were at the place in our relationship for me to break the news to him.

- El Diablo... (below) Rapping with Lance. This is a homeless guy that we've taken in. Literally... he crashed at Lance's a couple nights ago.

Servants... I was thinking on the way home how God has brought just the right people to Iowa City. We didn't plan it that way...it just happened. I wonder if there's some greater Plan in all of this? Here's a glimpse of one of our many God-sends- John Debold

- International students... one turned to his American friend and said, "This is not our belief. But can I come again?!"

Thanks to all of you who have participated with us- you were there with us in spirit through your prayers and financial support. May God spread a passion for his name here at the University of Iowa, and to the ends of the earth.

There's so much more to report, but I'm so wasted. I was at the bar all night. For church...

What will God do?

Our first Salt in Iowa City is tomorrow. There's no, "This is what happened last year..." or "Let's count those we think will come..."

Bottom line- we have no idea what's going to happen tomorrow night. But this was the scene tonight at our rehearsal at the Blue Moose...

Please join that empty chair in the prayer circle, and pray with us that God would show up tomorrow night.

I'll let you know how it goes.

First Ever...

Salt Company Iowa City Monday morning prayer- bright and early at the Old Capitol...

Jeff Thune closing in prayer for one of our last informal potlucks in City Park (2 more!)...

A new guy I met at our Sunday night gathering showed up at prayer this morning. Frank, Spaid and I had a great time prayer walking around the Ped Mall. It was fun praying for some of the other ministries who were out doing spiritual surveys.

Your kingdom come!

No way

A 60 mile, 9 day traffic jam in China- projected to go until after our Veritas kickoff (Sep 12). This is one of the most ridiculous things I've heard (click here).

Mike, Emily and Laurie, I hope you're not stuck in traffic.