This weekend in NH

I spent the weekend in New Hampshire. (whenever I say the name of the state, I think of Bob Wiley saying "New Hampshire?". If you've seen "What About Bob?" you know what I'm talking about) I spoke at a weekend retreat at Monadnock Camp, right at the base of Monadnock mountain, the most climbed mountain in the United States, and 2nd in the world only to Fiji.

It was a powerful weekend, and God was at work. When speaking I could definitely sense His Spirit at work in an unusual way. I've head a lot of people say that in general New England is a tough place for the church to grow. It has a low church attendance percentage as well as low charitable giving rates in that part of the country. I didn't notice this in the response of the students, although it was a weekend retreat. In fact, about 20 students gave control of their lives to Christ for the very first time, and almost half of them (about 75) committed to show up at their school 1x a week and pray for their school. (the attached video if students praying in groups for their schools as we ended the weekend)

Kelsey wrote on my Facebook page today: "And also. thanks sooooooo much for such an amazing weekend. our youth group at crossway has changed so much for the better and its an amazing thing to see. and as connor said were all soo excited to start a claim your campus group at our school and are very excited. so thanks soooo much for all you done this weekend!"

I met the band SiLOam, a Partridge family type situation, where the parents manage the band made up of their four kids. Wow, their band was amazing, and I really connected with them. They love the idea of CYC, and will be partnering somehow with us to spread the CYC message in their travels. Check them out on MySpace. I'd definitely like to work with them in the future and hope to connect them w/ NTS Camp somehow.

I also met with Foad, the FCA regional director for New England, and we are connecting with the national office of FCA to talk about possibilities.

Hangin with me over the weekend was Rob Reynolds, a former colleague from Kentwood Community Church student ministries. It was great to hang with him. He is heading to New Zealand this August with his family to serve at Cession church. For those of you who know Rob, you'd be comforted to know we spent free time watching dumb videos online:)