This past weekend my Senior Pastor extended the opportunity to speak in all the weekend services at Trinity Church. The message is one I’m passionate about, and something I felt pretty adamant about speaking to my local congregation to. Thanks to Pastor Carl Toti for the opportunity, and his trust in me as one of his staff pastors.
Jonathan Cliff // Do Hard Things from TrinityChurchLBK on Vimeo.
Last year I had the privilege to participate in a new volunteer conference called Illuminate. It was something Kenny Conley and his team at Gateway organized. In an easy to read way, hear from Kenny’s own heart on why he wants to do this:
Essentially, the idea was to create an incredible experience for our volunteers at Gateway. Many times I’ve walked out of an incredible breakout at a national conference and said, “Wow! I wish all my volunteers had experienced that!” Unfortunately, most churches can’t provide a “national conference” experience for all the volunteers… unless that church brought the national conference to their volunteers. That’s what Illuminate is.
So at this time we’re all happy to announce that Illuminate Austin is coming back! On Saturday, November 12, 2011, Gateway Church in Austin, TX will host Illuminate for the second time. We are expecting 600-800 kidmin volunteers/staff for this incredible experience. The breakout and speaker lineup is amazing!
But wait… there’s more!
Illuminate is a huge blessing for kidmin volunteers in Central Texas. Why limit it to just Central Texas? Once all the content and program is developed, doing it again in a new location isn’t really that much work, right?
So on Saturday, August 27, 2011, Westwood Church in Birmingham, AL will host the first Illuminate Conference outside the great state of Texas. How exciting is that? We’ll pack in the same great stuff that made Illuminate successful in Texas, but serve it up Southern Style.
But wait… there’s even more!
Last year Kenny recorded every session and breakout of Illuminate. I hear that he had intended to record every session and breakout from Birmingham and Austin in 2011 as well. So, what is he going to do with all this great video content? You guessed it. Illuminate is going online! He doesn’t yet have specific dates and details yet, but plans are underway and concrete dates will be set this summer. Not everyone can get to Austin or Birmingham… but this video content can help anyone, regardless of where they’re coming from.
This year for Illuminate, I’ve gathered some of the greatest minds in Kidmin: Jim Wideman, Sam Luce, Jonathan Cliff, Gina McClain, Dan Scott, Matt McKee, Amy Fenton Lee, Michael Chanley and more to be announced. That’s a Kidmin Powerhouse!
So, whether you live in Texas or Alabama (or within a couple ours of the locations) or whether you have a computer with high speed internet, plan to connect with Illuminate this Fall. It could be exactly what you’re volunteers need most. Stay tuned for more details soon.
Don’t hesitate. Click here to visit the illuminateconference.tv
Click here to follow Illuminate on twitter
Click here to visit Illuminate on facebook
I’d like to dedicate this to my northern brothers Sam Luce and Dan Scott. May your winter be short, and your summer long.
(via someecards)
I first saw this video a few years ago (and have posted it before), and still return to it often to remind myself why I do what I do as a father.
“Family Man” from Trevor Little on Vimeo.
Over the past few weeks I’ve spent an inordiate amount of time around my children. Throughout the holidays, now into coaching them through basketball and with school just now starting; I’m realizing just how much I’m in love with these three kids in my house. Maybe it’s the combinations of their ages (8, 7, 5); but I’m constantly entertained, challenged, and inspired by our times together. They’re witty, funny, and comically sarcastic. (Amazingly, all qualities of of my wife and I.) I love their hearts to live Godly, and even seeing their constant battles with their own fleshly desires is entertaining to help them walk through. I’m really looking forward to all that God has for me as a father, and can’t wait to see these wonderful kids of mine grow up to be finders of God.
On that fatherly note, I’d love to recommend this blog post: “Parenting: The Joyful Impossibility.” What a great reminder about how totally impossible it is to parent at times!
This is video 12 of 12 in the What’s in the Bible? 12 Questions of Christmas Blog Tour. Check out www.whatsinthebible.com each day to find the location of the next video in the series.
Ian asks a final, important question.
What’s in the Bible? is the new 13-DVD series from VeggieTales creator Phil Vischer designed to walk kids and families through the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. DVDs 1-4 (Genesis – Ruth) are available now. Check out www.whatsinthebible.com to learn more.
I know, I know…But Jonathan. You don’t like puppets! Why are you linking to this? First of all, I’ve clearly written in the past that I’m only against BAD puppets. The What’s in the Bible? series is genius. It’s funny, educational, and funny. My kids have been fans of Jelly Telly in the past, and now they love the WITB DVD’s just as much.
WE have some winners!
Visit http://www.jonathancliff.com/2010/12/whats-in-the-bible-contest-winners/ to find out who won what, and see if you were one of the lucky winners!
