5/2008 - As I write this brief article regarding the youth ministry at Sunrise, I am mindful of a major goal I plan to achieve in less than two weeks. For the past four months, I’ve been training and building up my endurance in an effort to complete the Coeur d’Alene Marathon on Memorial Day weekend.

Should I survive this test of my human limits, I will then celebrate a different major milestone in early June: 10 years in youth ministry. I know which of the two roads has been more challenging, and it’s not the one I’ve traveled in my ASICS™ running shoes! However, I also know which road has provided the greater blessing, and it’s also not the physical race for which I’ve prepared. Serving in ministry and living the Christian life are long-distance events. In ways that are physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual, I have worked hard, continued on the course, endured difficulties, experienced great highs and some lows, and participated daily in the most important race I can ever run. I’m excited to cross the finish line sooner or later, and I pray that all of our young people do the same.

Thank you for the wonderful opportunity I’ve had to "lace ’em up" and spend time leading and serving the teenagers at Sunrise!