Youth Ministry from Nenagh to Nashville

I've spent six years travelling around this island with the Church of Ireland Youth Department the Youth Ministry Development Worker - South. I'm deeply grateful for the opportunity I've had to serve the young people of Ireland for so long. If you can believe it, it was dream I held in my heart from my days in a university tucked away in the cornfields of Indiana. God is good.

Today I'm very encouraged by the state of youth ministry across our Church. We've seen a lot of signs of life the past six years and God has been working in young lives. The Church has become more conscious of the needs and issues facing young people. More and more parishes have employed part or full-time youth workers to minister to the needs of young people. The voice of the youth ministry sector of the Church of Ireland is becoming more recognizable with peer organizations and governmental bodies. It's time we begin looking beyond these shores for ways to enrich our work among young people at home, within Europe and the Anglican Communion as a whole.
The most encouraging reality of my work with CIYD is the evidence that God is with us.

He, of course, shows up in many ways, but God is often most clearly evidenced by the unity of those within His body. We as the Church are meant to be the clearest picture of God's redemptive activity among all creation. I see God clearly at work in the quality of relationship we share with our youth ministry colleagues around the island. From local youth workers meeting youth day in and day out, to diocesan youth officers resourcing youth work regionally; we enjoy a strong sense of unity and a growing degree of collaboration every year. There is much to be thankful for and much to celebrate. May the best be yet to come.

As for me, my wife Christy and our three children born in Ireland - our time's coming to a close. On June 30th we relocate to Nashville, Tennessee to pursue another inspired dream to serve Creative's in their life's journey with Jesus. From relatively unknown artists to public figures, we seek to fulfill the role of the Anam Cara (Soul Friend) for each of them.

We're inviting partnership with us prayerfully, relationally and resourcefully. If you would like more info and to stay in touch, please visit www.artistsoulfriend.com. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be always with you!