mission trip | More Than Dodgeball

Josh GriffinMore Posts HSM Rwanda Prayer Guide 2013

If all goes well, by the time you read this I’ll be on my way to Rwanda with about 15 students and some incredible leaders. On the blog this week we’ll have all sorts of guest posts and guest editor-in-chief Geoff Stewart will be posting regularly as well. If you would, please take a second and pray for health, strength, and safe travel for our students. Excited!

Day ONE & TWO: Travel to Kigali, Rwanda
Pray for a smooth airport check-in. Pray for safe travel to Rwanda. Pray for rest and the preparation of our hearts for ministry. Pray that all goes smoothly with the logistics of travelling with a group our size.

Day THREE: Genocide Memorial and travel to our main ministry site
Pray that our students would be excited on their first full day of ministry, loving the people whom they are serving. Pray that the team has a heart of compassion and understanding as we learn about Rwanda’s history today at the memorial. Pray for safe travels to this rural city.

Day FOUR & FIVE: Church and meeting with pastors. PEACE activities
Pray for the people of Rwanda, that their hearts would be open to the Word of God as it is preached today in churches. Pray for great conversations as we meet with the pastors of local churches. Pray that we would be able to accomplish much with them in preparation for the week of ministry ahead. Pray for your student today.

Day SIX – NINE: PEACE activities with Churches
Pray for endurance for long days of ministry. Pray that our team connects with the Rwandan community, making them feel loved and cared for. Pray for friendships to be built among Rwandan and Saddleback students. Pray that the team continues to shine the light of Christ even if we are exhausted.

Day TEN: Travel back to Kigali
Pray for safe travels and rest as we return to Kigali. Pray for your students as they begin to process and debrief the trip. Pray that, as we conclude our time in Rwanda, we would be able to reflect on what God has taught us and encourage one another with stories of God’s work.

Day ELEVEN & TWELVE: Pray for safe travel back to America.
Pray that we adjust well spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Pray that God would continue to work in our hearts after we return. Pray that we would continue to remember and reflect on our journey in Rwanda. Pray for protection from sickness and fatigue.

Follow us on Twitter or Instagram for updates: @hsmrwanda

Add Comment February 7, 2013

Josh GriffinMore Posts Prepare. Go. Live On Sale for $29.99 (instead of $199!)

I was just checking out the Simply Youth Ministry website and ran across this closeout deal on a mission trip resource from LeaderTreks that looks super promising called Prepare Go Live. Of course, I’m a sucker for a good deal, too! Anyhow, might be something you would be interested in, too!

JG

Add Comment August 30, 2012

Josh GriffinMore Posts HSM’s Rwanda Prayer Guide 2012

When you read this … I’ll be on a plane with a group of amazing students headed to the country of Rwanda. The blog will be filled with guest posts and plenty of other articles from my friend Geoff Stewart who will be handling things while I’m away.

Thought I would post our prayer guide here on the blog as well, if you would take some time to pray for our safety and for lives to be changed for Christ on this trip, it’d be great!

JG

Rwanda Prayer Guide
Please pray for health, strength, and safe travel for the team

Day ONE & TWO: Travel to Rwanda
Pray for a smooth airport check-in. Pray for safe travel to Rwanda. Pray for rest and the preparation of our hearts for ministry. Pray that all goes smoothly with the logistics of traveling with a group our size.

Day THREE: Community Work Day, Genocide Memorial
Pray for our team, that we would be able to connect with people in the community and serve them well. Pray that our students would be excited on their first full day of ministry, loving the people whom they are serving. Pray for safe travels to *********.

Day FOUR: Church and meeting with pastors
Pray for the people of Rwanda, that their hearts would be open to the Word of God as it is preached today in churches. Pray for great conversations as we meet with the pastors of local churches. Pray that we would be able to accomplish much with them in preparation for the week of ministry ahead.

Day FIVE: PEACE activity with local church and Reach for Life groups
Pray for your student today. Pray that each student leads boldly and courageously as they lead their Reach for Life groups for the first day. Pray for energy and excitement as each van gets to know their Reach for Life groups.

Day SIX: Youth Ministry Conference and Reach for Life groups
Pray that we would be an encouragement to the pastors and their children as they come to the youth ministry conference. Pray that we can love on and train pastors well. Pray for endurance for a long day of ministry.

Day SEVEN, EIGHT & NINE: PEACE activity with local church and Reach for Life groups
Pray that Rwandan students would continue to return to the Reach for Life groups day after day. Pray that our team connects with each Rwandan student making them feel loved and cared for. Pray for friendships to be built among Rwandan and Saddleback students.

Day TEN: Youth Rally and travel
Pray for your student today as they put on a youth rally for Rwandan students. Pray that the message and rally elements would draw students closer to Christ and challenge them. Pray for safe travels and rest as we return to **********.

Day ELEVEN: Church & Dinner with Rwandan families
Pray for our last day of ministry. Pray that we would stay focused as team and that fatigue would not set in. Pray that we would make the most of our time as we visit the homes of Rwandan families. Pray that we would love and encourage them.

Day TWELVE: City Tour & Team Debrief
Pray that, as we conclude our time in Rwanda, we would be able to reflect on what God has taught us and encourage one another with stories of God’s work. Pray for your student today.

Day THIRTEEN & FOURTEEN: Return Home
Pray for safe travel back to America. Pray that we adjust well spiritually emotionally, and physically. Pray that God would continue to work in our hearts after we return. Pray that we would continue to remember and reflect our journey in Rwanda. Pray for protection from sickness and fatigue.

Add Comment June 28, 2012

Josh GriffinMore Posts THIS is Why I Breathe

Most people don’t understand what I do
When I tell them I’m a YOUTH WORKER they
Put their hand on my should and say with a sigh
“I DON’T KNOW HOW YOU DO IT”

And occasionally I still get asked when I’m going to be a “REAL PASTOR” or “WHEN I WILL BE TOO OLD FOR THIS” but they don’t get it: THIS IS WHY I BREATHE
· I live for the CRAZINESS OF CAMP it is there I most remember God’s call
· I live for the MESS OF MY SMALL GROUP because I know God will make something BEAUTIFUL
· On a shopping run for the overnighter I almost wait with anticipation for the checkout lady to ask WHAT IS ALL OF THIS FOR?
· I live for the LIFE-CHANGING CONVERSATIONS even if they happen between the hours of 2-4AM on a mission trip

The long hours, the challenging work, the highs and lows … the office in the church basement …it all doesn’t matter to me. This is why I am on the earth. This is why God made me.

I was created by HIM. For THEM.

THIS. IS WHY. I BREATHE.

JG

12 View Comments March 7, 2012

Josh GriffinMore Posts God is Working in Your Youth Ministry

If you started to wonder this week … yes, God is still at your youth group.

God’s Spirit isn’t done quite yet in your church and in your life — even if it feels like it sometimes. I’m just about to cross 2,000 youth services I’ve played some part in — and I’m so grateful to know that God is working even when……

ProPresenter crashes in the middle of your message and at the worst possible moment
Your worship lyrics are riddled with misspeellings (<– I left that one in for you)
That funny game left a permanent stain in the old sanctuary carpet
You thought for sure the movie clip didn’t have THAT word in it
You were outnumbered at an event when your volunteers flaked out
There is a distinct odor in the church van that may never come out
Your small group was so out of control you feel the need to offer to repaint the host home’s family room
The tears from that student after your message … were because her boyfriend just broke up with her
The sermon you thought would be a homerun was a bunt at best

If it all goes wrong, if your talk tanks, if you feel that your youth ministry isn’t working … rest assured: It isn’t working. But God is.

God loves to show up when we’re down. He seems to specialize in being very present when He seems so absent. He’s there … He’s changing your students one botched program at a time. When your mission trip has an epic fail or your small group has a night (or several nights) of endless blunders … know that God is up to something big and your best attempts to stop him won’t work. He is working in spite of you, to see your students transformed.

JG

2 View Comments January 6, 2012

Josh GriffinMore Posts HSM Kenya Mission Trip Promo Video

Here’s a video we used to promote an upcoming mission trip to Kenya with HSM. I’m so excited to go back again this year.

JG

1 View Comments September 8, 2011

Josh GriffinMore Posts HSM Costa Rica Prayer Guide 2011

I’m excited to be travelling with our youth group on a mission trip to Costa Rica. The team put together this little prayer guide for the trip – thought it might be a good example of something you may want to do for an upcoming mission trip of your own. Would appreciate your prayers of course, too!

HSM Costa Rica Prayer Guide

Students: Please pray that the Lord will work in their hearts and minds as they learn how to do ministry on the Mission Field. Pray that they will grow in their faith as they minister to others in Costa Rica; that they will have open hearts and open minds to however the Lord might want to use them there. Please pray for good attitudes, energy, peace, and a gentle spirit. Pray for relationships with their peers and leaders. Pray that the students will rely on the Lord to help them know what to say and how to act when they may feel uncomfortable.

Leaders: Please pray that the Lord will guide us as we lead our students. Pray for energy and enthusiasm, wisdom, discernment, strength, peace, and patience. Pray that we would have open hearts and minds to all the ways the Lord will want to use us in the lives of our students and those we’ll be ministering to in Costa Rica. Please pray for our relationships with the students and people of Costa Rica.

The People of Costa Rica: We will be working with a number of people in Costa Rica (Pastors, teenagers, children, etc.). Pray that the Lord will give them open and hearts and minds to the message of Jesus we are bringing to them. Please pray that we would be able to help and love on them in whatever way possible.

Churches: Please pray for the churches we will be partnering with in Costa Rica. Pray that the help we give would be sustainable so that they can continue to grow in health and outreach even after we leave.

Events: Please pray that all will go according to plan, and when it doesn’t, that we would be flexible and ready for anything. Pray that the people of these events would see Jesus working through them and understand His love.

JG