The engineer blew the signal, and the train lurched forward. As it chugged through town belching soot and slowly picking up speed, the passengers waved at motorists yielding the right-of-way at every intersection.

We hadn’t gone far when we noticed a beautifully-restored vintage car speeding down the street parallel to the train. The vehicle raced to the nearest stop sign and waited for the passenger cars to lumber by. The driver smiled and waved. The passengers, mostly senior adults, murmured their approval of the pristine condition of the antique vehicle.

Soon, however, we noticed a pattern emerging. At nearly every intersection, there sat the same car, its friendly driver waving. Finally, we recognized what was happening. The car was actually a moving billboard for a local vintage car restoration business. The driver was merely seizing the opportunity to market his services to specific consumers — senior adults. He probably makes the same run every day as the train chugs through town. That persistent proprietor understands at least two marketing principles: (1) to get your message across, you must present it repeatedly and (2) to the appropriate audience. His determination reminds me of our mission as Christian educators. We’re commissioned to present God’s Word in a manner that is appropriate to our targeted audience. Then, we must emphasize the biblical, life-changing principles again and again without growing “weary in well-doing” (Galatians 6:9).

The passengers on the train didn’t bail off at the next stop and rush to the man’s business to have their vintage cars restored. In fact, most of them, like us, were probably from out of town. But surely a few did return to Durango and visit the shop. And again, like us, the rest would never forget the shining example of one man’s skill and his advertising savvy.

─Shirley G. Spencer

As the airplane leveled off at cruising altitude, I asked him if I could copy the name of his book for a friend who had been diagnosed with the same condition. “Sure,” he replied, “but only if I can have the name of your book on prayer.”

We laughed. God had opened a door for interaction.

During the flight, I learned much about Gary and his spiritual journey. “I am a Christian first,” he said, “and a member of my church by choice.” He confessed to me that many years earlier he had enrolled in seminary. “I don’t believe I was called to be a pastor,” he admitted. “My ministry, if I had one, would have been in the area of teaching.”

“The Bible says the ‘gifts and calling of God are without repentance,’” I replied, trying to maintain a casual tone.

“Oh, I know,” he said, apparently un-offended by my boldness.

Gary explained that because of some lifestyle choices he set aside his seminary plans. “These decisions pretty well ended my life as I knew it. I have been running from God and the call on my life for the past 15 years.” We talked about that.

Soon the airplane started its descent. “Apparently, God hasn’t given up on you. Why don’t you throw on the brakes and find out what He wants to do with the rest of your life?” I pressed. “Incidentally, you don’t need a ‘classroom’ in order to be a teacher. Start a small Bible study at work or in your living room. Someone may be waiting for you to be obedient.”

“Thanks,” he said. “I needed to hear that!” God had arranged a divine encounter.

─Shirley G. Spencer

KidzBlitz Training

There is an upcoming Children’s Worker Training being held in the Oklahoma City area. It will be on November 14, 2008 at Victory Church located at 4300 N MacArthur Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK. This will be an amazing training for all Children’s Pastors, Senior Pastors, and any one that works with children of all ages. We have had the oppotunity to attend trainings in the past with Jim Wideman and Roger Fields. They are very anointed and full of knowledge. If you have the oppotunity to attend this amazing day of training, you will be very blessed. Here is the link that you can go to for more information and to register for this event. http://www.kidzblitzconference.com/

Blessings in Christ

Roger and Debbie Mandrell

In the midst of my searches, I even had moments where I could imagine the lost object sitting in the place where I believed I left it. I can also feel the disappointment I experienced when it was not to be found.

Our imagination can play tricks on us, but it can also be a very helpful tool. Have you ever imagined what it would look like for a high school senior in your ministry to be fully-Discipled and perfectly ready to enter the next stage of his or her life? What would you want that student to know? How would you want him or her to act?

While we know that no one on this earth is perfect, we need to “aim high” in our vision for loving and equipping the youth that we shepherd. Accomplishing this is all but impossible if we are not willing to do the work of creating a profile describing the character of such a person. There is no one perfect description fitting all youth, so youth leaders can enjoy the freedom of creating a tailor made vision for their youth.

Where do we start?

1. Love for God (Mark 12:30)
   Regularly participates in corporate and individual worship of God; disciplined in quiet times;
   internalizes the truth of sin, salvation, the sacraments, and God in three persons
2. Faithful to God and Others (Romans 12:1–2, 10)
   Practices spiritual disciplines; keeps appointments; fulfills commitments to others and projects through setting priorities; practices the holy life and integrity in living
3. Student of the Word (2 Timothy 2:15)
   God’s truth in everyday decisions; grows in the skills/disciplines of memorization of verses/significant passages or can identify the location of important stories and teachings; spends consistent time in the Word; changed behavior as a result of internalized truth
4. Pray-er (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
5. Critical Decision-Maker (1 Kings3:1-15, esp. v.9)
6. Life-Long Learner (2 Timothy 3:14)
   beyond “growth level” events and youth group experience; responds and acts on instruction
7. Life-Leader (1 Thessalonians 2:8)
8. Commitment to the Community of Faith (Hebrews 10:19-25, esp. v.25)

 How do we proceed?

1. Begin with prayer. Ask God for insight and wisdom.
2. Include the primary principles Jesus taught us to live by.
3. Take the best character traits of godly men and women throughout the Bible.
4. Develop a list of everything you believe should be in the profile. No initial list is too long.
5. Allow key parents, youth leaders, and students to review the list adding their own suggestions and input.
6. Edit, combine, and pare the list to a manageable, measurable number of qualities (somewhere between seven and twelve).
7. Publish the profile and put it to use. Let it influence your teaching, guide your curriculum choices and be at the center of your ministry strategy.

About fifteen years, ago a friend of mine took the time to develop a “Profile of a Discipled Student.” He was mentored through the process by patient volunteer leaders, older youth pastors, and other students who sincerely wanted to grow.

Over the years I have used this document in many different forms, given it different titles, and emphasized various parts. Below is the profile we have created in our ministry. I hope it will serve as an example for your reflection, prayer, and planning. Feel free to use it in any form; you don’t even have to change the words!

When a student graduates from our ministry, he or she will exhibit these qualities:

• Values the fellowship of Christ’s body and the variety of gifts to be used for “the common good” of the Church
• Knows how and is willing to be a witness; understands the spiritual battle and the need to be a positive influence through Godly example in word and deed
• Lives a life of obedience and servanthood; asks thoughtful questions; seeks growth opportunities
• Demonstrates ability to decide right and wrong on an individual basis through the power of the Holy Spirit and the instruments of Scripture, tradition, experience, and reason
• Committed to regular times of prayer; initiates or suggests prayer in the midst of life circumstances

What must I do? I wondered, as the jalopy veered across two lanes and rolled to a stop a few yards in front of oncoming traffic. I looked around in an attempt to read the response of the other drivers. No one seemed to know what to do, so, being in front of the “pack,” I jumped from my car and ran to the driver’s side of the wayward vehicle.

“Are you all right, Ma’am? I asked the white-haired lady behind the wheel?

“I guess I’m confused,” she said sadly. “I’m not sure where I went wrong.”

By this time, a burly truck driver had descended from his rig. He held the traffic at bay while I directed the little lady to safety, ignoring the blares and glares of impatient drivers. I watched her disappear down a side street and prayed that she would make it home without another, more serious, wrong turn.

As teachers, we encounter people regularly who are spiritually confused, people who need us to help them find their way. But, unlike my little friend, many do not recognize their lostness. We must be willing to throw ourselves between them and sure disaster in order to point them toward God. That’s what Jesus did.

—Shirley G. Spencer

Were comming up on our centennial, and God is moving in great ways. I want to put together a group of teens that truly wants to see change over this next year. I’m not talking about just any change but spiritual change in the hearts of teens everywhere. Are you one of those hungry for change in your life or the lives in those around you?

Satuday night, September 27, we had an awesome youth rally with over 60 attending. It was hosted by Mike Hulsey With Glory Promise Center in Newcastle Ok. we saw the hunger there and we hope it will carry on in the rallies to come.

Thank You and God Bless,

Pastors Marty & Cherie 

Lets get together, Please send me an e mail and let me know your heart. We are mighty in numbers.

By the time I “graduated” from the primary class, I could recite basic passages such as Psalm 23, John 3:16, and Romans 3:23 and 6:23. When I reached my early teens, I had committed to memory larger portions of Scripture. For a Christmas presentation, I learned most of Luke 2. I can still recite it, along with Psalm 1, which an ambitious teacher challenged me to learn when I was a junior (preteen).

A few years ago, I challenged my class of young adults to memorize a substantial chunk of Ephesians 4. The response was overwhelming. The students supported each other with applause as their classmates recited the text. I rewarded their efforts with a small token of appreciation.

Someone has said that each Scripture we memorize increases the Holy Spirit’s vocabulary in our lives. That’s true, for the Word of God is dynamic, and it’s generally from those passages stored in the memory that the Holy Spirit speaks to us to inspire, encourage, and direct.

Memorize it, and it’s yours.

—Shirley G. Spencer

I really can’t wait to see the youth workers in our conference become a mighty army of one. We could storm the gates of hell if we would just pull together and pool our resources.

Thanks and God Bless,
Marty

I want to thank all of you that have been a part of Iron Sharpens Iron.

This is a plea for your assistance. I need to know the best way to get ahold of you so i can keep you updated with all of the goings on in the Heartland Conference.

If you could please get me not only your info but if you have other youth pastors or leaders or even if you know of a church in our conference that does not have a youth pastor or leader but you have the pastor’s info, please let me know. I really want to help.

Pastor Marty