During my high school years I spent my summers in Colorado serving at Young Life camp! I remember experiencing community in a new way. I remember growing in my understand that God had a call on my life and that I no longer need to just receive from the Lord, but to serve his people.

In college I had the opportunity to serve as a Young Life leader and I loved the chance to share the gospel with middle school students. I even met my husband Chris in the ministry of Young Life! He was a leader for our high school ministry! After college I had the chance to come on to Young Life staff.

During these formative years I truly knew God had called me to full time ministry. I knew I loved God and loved people and I wanted to serve Him! That is way when I received a phone call driving down downtown Norman one Tuesday morning, I knew the Lord was calling me into something new, Journey Church was calling and asking me to come work with them! Since then I have had the incredible opportunity to serve the Lord and his people to see a city transformed one life at a time! I am honored and blessed to have the call of ministry in my life.

I have 2 beautiful children and I love to watch them grow in awe, wonder and understanding of Jesus! Journey Kids has given our family great resources to lead our children in understanding of the word of God! As I look forward to this Mother’s day weekend, I am so thankful for the foundation that I have in my relationship with Christ and how it spills over into every area of my life. My marriage, children, and Calling to minister are all guided by the leading of the Holy Spirit in me!

Being a Mother is the best job in the world, and I am thankful that I have a God who guides me in my parenting and that I have the chance to teach my children about all that God has done in and through me.

I was the youngest of 3 to older parents. I was a good kid by nature and I had a job from age 14 so I was pretty much given complete freedom and trust, trust that I failed to honor. My church youth ministry was small and lacked leadership. As a teen, I soon dropped out. I found a new identity with a party crowd. Friday nights were spent in the pursuit of someone to buy our beer and a place to hang out. I started college at OU but my lifestyle did not change.  By the beginning of my sophomore year, I thought I was in love with my girlfriend. We eloped and were married without bothering with the blessing of our parents or the awareness that it broke their hearts. At 19, I went to work full time while college became a part time pursuit.

My wife and I never really returned to church with any consistancy, not even for the sake of our two sons. We never lived as if we knew, loved, or needed God.  We simply endured an empty and bitter 17-year marriage. In the end, we had forgotten the feeling of joy. I became a self-centered person with no clue how to seek help. My soul slowly became numb as I found my escape in my career and in years of attending college part time in pursuit of self-affirmation. I was often absent as a father and certainly as a husband.

After the divorce, I continued to worship my work and the pursuit of what I called “meaningful relationships” with women, whatever that meant. The emptiness only became more deeply embedded in my heart. One day in October of 1990, at the end of another unsuccessful attempt to find Ms. Right, I paced back and forth in my apartment laughing at myself for being so inept at running my life. Two decades, my entire 20′s and 30′s were gone. Except for the joy of raising my two sons, all else had been a 20-year trek in the desert. At some point, my self-deprecating laughter turned to tears. I fell to my knees and sobbed like a baby. In that moment, I turned to God. The words were something like this. “Father, I have so completely screwed up this life you gave me. I can’t do it by myself anymore. I need your help. Please just take it over for me and show me how.”

My redemption was not the typical lightening bolt from Heaven that so many describe. I did not know how to begin or get connected to a fellowship of believers. All of my friends were lost and resided at the local pub. For the next few years, my walk was still littered with sin and disobedience. It was two steps forward and one step back. This is the point; from that moment in my apartment, God did indeed take over and my future was sealed. My transformation, though slow, was steady and full of revelation.

Through my Savior’s eyes, I was finally able to see and accept full accountability for the failure of my marriage and lay it at the foot of the Cross. It had been my responsibility to be a spiritual leader to my wife and children. I had failed. In the process, I realized I had hurt so many other people. My needs were of small consequence by comparison. In time, God fully restored my life and all of the lost years, just as He did with Job. God secured for me a loving relationship with my two sons, sent me Robin, my wife and the love of my life, two beautiful daughters, and a second chance to be the spiritual leader of my home.

In the last 20 years, there have been too many new beginnings for me to name, including a late life calling to full time ministry. I can relate to how Moses must have felt when God changed and redeemed him, giving him a new life and a new purpose at a time when he had decided it is too late.

There have still been plenty of challenges and heartaches to overcome. No believer is exempt from struggles. But, each new day is full of purpose and meaning. You see, I am living a new, second life filled to the brim with gratitude; a life I absolutely do not deserve. I have this only because Jesus has washed away my old life. By the way, my best year ever, was 2011, my 60th year. In God’s math, it is simply never too late to experience the completeness only He can give.

“Because he loves me, says the Lord, I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.” – Psalm 91: 14-16

My story is all about adding to THE STORY. I’m not perfect, in fact I’m often pretty messed up. The scriptures talk a lot about messed up people being a part of His story.

God doesn’t include himself in our story – we join the larger story. We include ourselves in His.

So, I ask you…what’s you story?

Where do your dreams lie? Where do the highlights reside?

You have a story… are you telling it? How are you telling it?

My encouragement to you is to connect your story to the larger perspective of God’s Story.

He wants to weave through your story not as an additional piece, but as the centerpiece.

Our story is an ongoing, ever changing story that includes, heartache, adventure, pain, love, laughter, and so much more. In the end our story is all we have.

Jesus said, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 20 So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed. (Mark 5:18-20)

I grew up in Yukon, Oklahoma. I am the youngest of three, and it’s obvious. I grew up wearing hand me downs and craved attention, which I usually got.  I enjoyed being in the spotlight and although I was too young to realize it, God was shaping me. He was shaping me because He knew what I would walkthrough and what He wanted me to do.

One month after my fourth birthday my family went on a camping trip.  On this trip I became the example that every parent that has ever known me has used. “Put that down! You will poke your eye out!” This really happened to me. A freak accident made me the poster child for every safety lesson for five year olds. While playing with my brother, I was randomly hit in the eye by a stick that was attached to a rope. After multiple surgeries, they concluded that the damage to my eye was too great and it had to be removed. I was then fitted for a prosthetic eye. I was young enough that this was all I knew. When you are four, wearing an eye patch is pretty awesome. God was shaping me. I would go up to strangers and tell them to look at my eye…because it was fake. I was having fun, laughing, and talking to anyone who would listen.

My father is a pastor, which meant I was in church every time the door was open. I grew up loving church. Loving it because it’s where my friends were when I was young and as I got older, it’s where God shaped me.  Because my father was in ministry, I saw the ups and downs of the church first hand. I saw the hurts and needs of the people in the church. I saw sickness and loss. I witnessed people with nowhere to turn running for some type of hope. I will always remember these stories, these faces. I see these people in my mind all the time. I want to remember them like that because it stirs up the passion in my heart. This passion began by seeing people respond to those who were hurting, sick, lost, and alone. I was able to see people bring meals to needy families. I saw compassion for the homeless. I witnessed the power of prayer right in front of me. I saw the hopeless given hope through Jesus. I saw those who felt lost and filled with sorrow, find hope and joy through salvation.

This is why I am here. This is what God was shaping me to do. I remember seeing all of this when I was young and thinking I don’t want anyone to walk away feeling alone, or hurt. I have seen this and witnessed the strength of community. I realized that all of that attention I craved could be used for the purpose of the kingdom. I wanted to do that in any capacity I could. I wanted to inspire others to do something. To realize that loving others is more than just a great idea. That serving people is more than a dream. That we can do this.  We can see peoples lives transformed. We serve a God who does God sized things all the time. Even when we are walking through the forest and it seems that there is no end, God is doing something. He is shaping us for something bigger, something better. He is shaping us to be used by Him. To see peoples lives changed.

And don’t forget that starting Sunday, we’re kicking off our new series, Red Box Romance! You don’t want to miss a week as Pastor Clark dives into the mind of Solomon and reveals the secrets to love & sex.

Enjoy & Happy Valentine’s Day!

10. Notting Hill

9. The Wedding Singer

8. What Women Want

7. The Holiday

6. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

5. Serendipity

4. When Harry Met Sally

3. You’ve Got Mail

2. It Happened One Night

1. Say Anything

By the time, we had wrapped up the series with our group, I was beginning my new career as Care Pastor at Journey. One of my roles was to provide pastoral guidance to couples and individuals as needed within the congregation. I was educated in counseling and had a long secular career behind me that included regular mentoring and coaching opportunities. However, despite decades of workplace experience and a few years of studying talk therapy techniques, I immediately found great practical wisdom and application in the biblical principles I learned from Marriage on the Rock. This, in turn, encouraged me to rely more on the Holy Spirit and God’s word as I counseled others. It has made all the difference.

The biblical principles found in this series indeed provide a “rock solid” foundation for every marriage. I strongly recommend attending Marriage on the Rock for couples in every season of life, whether you are preparing for marriage or seeking help to make your marriage all God intended it to be. The next Marriage on the Rock seminar is this weekend, February 10 & 11th. For more information and to register online head to journeychurch.tv/marriage.

This past fall semester we have seen and heard many stories of life change. Throughout the past several months over 80 students have made first time decisions to follow Jesus, over 30 students have been baptized, 87 students have committed to serve on mission trips to Dallas, TX and Haiti, and our small group ministry has seen tremendous growth.

Reflecting on the ministry and all of the miraculous things we have seen God do in Student Journey I cant help but be reminded that the most important call on our ministry is to empower you as parents. We believe and see all parents as the most important influence in the life of a teenager. By living into this understanding it is our heart to partner with you and reach this next generation for Christ. We are here to serve, care, and minister to everyone involved in the lives of JR High and High School students.

Contact us.
Ask Questions.
Let us partner with you as you lead your students.

It is an honor to serve and lead Jr High and High School students. This is a calling we do not take lightly and our hope is that together WE can reach this next generation for Christ.

For more information about Student Journey Check out our Facebook page. You can also sign-up for our SJ Quaterly Parent Letter by emailing Courtney Whittier at courtney.whittier@journeychurch.tv

Student Journey Weekly Schedule & Upcoming Events:

Jr High (6-8 grade)
Worship Experience: Sunday 10am Journey Church North Campus Theater 2
Small Groups: Wednesday 7-8:30pm Journey Church North Campus

High School (9-12 grade)
Worship Experience: Wednesday 7pm Journey Church North Campus Theater 2
Small Groups: Wednesday 8-9pm (following worship service)

February 17-19 (all grades)
Student Journey Winter Retreat. Location: Falls Creek Cost: $90
- This annual winter retreat is a great opportunity to get your student connected to Student Journey. Students will be challenged in groups, through messages, and through song. This event is a must attend. Sign-up at any of our SJ weekly events.

Acts 2:42.47 says this: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

About a year and half ago, our Journey group started out with a mere 3 couples, but quickly grew to 16 members. We’ve walked through life-changing studies like Love & Respect and The Blessed Life. Love & Respect challenged one couple to start attending counseling that now has radically changed their marriage. The Blessed Life challenged another couple to submit their finances to a Financial Mentor; which has brought blessings, to not only their financial situation, but their marriage as well.

Even though we may not all have kids or be married, our common ground is that we want to experience community and growth in a sincere way. We made a commitment to meet every week and gather for a feast. We keep each other well fed on the nights we meet! We’ve learned a lot about each other over this past year. We have walked through the ups and downs with each other. We’ve celebrated engagements and births. We’ve seen one group member come to Christ and be baptized with his niece and nephew. We’ve also helped carry the burdens. We have mourned through deaths and disappointments with each other. We’ve laid hands on a couple that is physically hurting, and we’ve watched the Lord bring spiritual healing upon them.

This past holiday season I watched my group “give to anyone who had need”. Every couple delivered a Thanksgiving basket for a family in the community and had some incredible stories to tell. For Christmas, our group also adopted a single mother with three kids and with one on the way. Our group collected an extraordinary amount of money to provide this family with basic necessities like pillows, blankets, and crib for her baby. Our plan is build a relationship with this family. We are now anxiously awaiting the arrival of her baby girl! We want this experience to be an opportunity to bring this family to Christ by lavishing our love, care, and support on them.

Our group is pretty amazing. I know that there are similar stories from other Journey Groups as well. For me personally, my Journey Group has taught me the value of relationships, what its like to have true community, and how to fulfill each other needs. What I love most about my Journey Group is seeing the Lord move in each couple, in each life, and how it is impacting not only our group, but also the lives around us. Our group expanded quickly because we want other people to experience what we’ve experienced – sincere love, sincere relationships, and sincere growth.

Over the next two Sundays, you’ll be getting more information about the groups that are meeting this semester. And we’ll be having our Connect(dot)Me event on Sunday, January 22 at 7:15pm at the North Campus. So come out and find a great group and begin your own story.

Through Christmas Spectacular, Journey successfully made a huge deal out of the birth of our Jesus (as if that isn’t spectacular enough, ha ha), and we were able, as a church, to draw attention to just how holy Jesus is and what Christmas means.  But what sets apart an event like Christmas Spectacular is not the sha-bang of it all.  We are created in the Image of the Creator thus making us creative. But the writing of raps, the planning of dance routines, and the shooting of music videos—it is simply art for art’s sake without one key component.

What sets it apart is God’s Presence.

He was there from start to finish.  He had an agenda when people stepped foot onto the property (so did we!), and that was to make sure that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were glorified.  So He came and filled the entire place, and made Himself known. People weren’t moved by a ballerina’s dance, but by the Power of God gracefully expressed in song.  They weren’t moved by carols, but by singing directly to Him because He was there.  They weren’t moved by thoughtful words from Pastor Clark, but by God speaking through him and the message being anointed.

God’s Presence is everything.

We strongly believe in that here at Journey Church, and that’s why we are so intentional about it.  Once a month, we gather for the express purpose of engaging the Presence of God, and we call it Awakening.  We will do it again on January 11—you won’t want to miss what God’s Presence will do in the place when His people gather to lift Him up!  Come see what it is that sets apart these gatherings, and worship God with us.

Consider a new way of thinking this year.

Maybe a steadfast commitment, a new routine, or spiritual rhythm isn’t the answer for you.

God’s Word can unquestionably be the catalyst your life needs in 2012, but what if you considered a fresh perspective to how God’s Word should work in your life. Many followers of Christ struggle with the concept of the quiet time because we FOCUS ON THE WRONG THING. We often focus on the routine and rhythm instead of the story. We feel discouraged and defeated when we struggle to read his word regularly enough and we feel on top of our spiritual game if we are reading it regularly. This approach is focusedon the discipline/ routine instead of the word or story of scripture. This year approach scripture and your time with the Lord by asking yourself, “what do I want to learn” instead of “when and how should I do it”.

It’s not about time, number of books read, discipline achieved, or even favorite scriptures memorized.

Don’t start the New Year with a commitment to time with the Lord.

Start the New Year hungry to learn new things about the Lord.

If it becomes a rhythm, great! if it’s sporadic, great! Just make this year better than last year!

Focus less on the routine and more on the story! Learn new things.