9 Reasons Why Your Youth Minister is Basically a Celebrity

Let's face it, your youth minister is basically a celebrity. Maybe you've never realized it before, but these 9 statements are oh-so true...


1. You freaked out the first time you met them.

Come on and admit it, when you finally became old enough to be in the youth group and the youth minister acknowledged your existence you freaked out a little bit. It's actually okay. We all do.


2. Seeing them in public is totally tweet-worthy.

So you're sitting at Starbucks with your friends when all of the sudden... There. They. Are! Seeing them somewhere you weren't expecting to see them is pretty much one of the most exciting things on the planet.



3. Only the coolest of kids get to ride in their car. 

You know that you've arrived when you get to ride in their car. Savor the moment. This experience is one you are sure to remember for ages.

4. Their spouse is basically perfect.

Your youth minister and their spouse are essentially Beyonce and Jay-Z. Their love story is the stuff of legends and you can only hope you and your spouse are half as perfect as they are some day.

5. Do they have kids? Yes? Seeing them is like a celebrity spotting.

Face it: your youth minister's kids (if they have them) are the cutest kids on the planet. They look like little models, they're always dressed adorably and basically everything they do is the cutest thing on earth. 

6. They have more tricks up their sleeve than Oprah.

It may not happen all the time, but your youth minister somehow has Spidey senses and knows when everyone is hungry. On these magical nights they bring food that tastes like manna from Heaven. Showing up to youth that night is like ending up at Oprah's Favorite Things. Everyone. Goes. Insane.

7. You take offence when people don't get why you think they are so awesome.

People who don't know them might not get the hype. These are the kind of people you can live without. 

8. They bring a little razzle-dazzle everywhere they go.

Almost every youth minister plays some role in the church service. Even if they're just giving the announcements, it might just be one of the best parts of the service. You know you feel this way. We all do. Admit it, accept the guilt, and join the club.

9. They'll always take up for you when it comes to the "old people".  When they do, they get all. the. props.

Every now and then the "old people" will get mad at the youth group (over something they probably should get in trouble for) and when they do, your youth minister always takes the hit. Everyone knows they're journeying into certain death, but when they come out of it alive... It's basically like Harry Potter in the Gryffindor Common Room after the dragon challenge. Party down.

So take a little time to thank your youth minister and tell them how awesome you think they are! Everyone knows they deserve it.

What's in a Name?

Hello and welcome to my new blog! If you're just joining me or if you came as a fan of my other blog, you're likely wondering what Vincent van Gogh has to do with a blog about our walk with God. Don't worry, you're not alone in your wondering! Let me begin by saying that I am a self-described die-hard van Gogh fan. I'm a fan not only of his gorgeous paintings but also of the man himself. Many of us have ooh-ed at the sight of   The Starry Night or winced at the story of the painter cutting off his ear. Not many of us know much about the artist other than the fact that he was an amazing painter and an extremely depressed person. The truth is, in his life, Vincent van Gogh's paintings were thought to be... well... quite bad. It's a sad thought especially considering the fact that he is now considered to be one of (if not THE) best painters of all time. Still, he saw so much beauty in the world around him- beauty he didn't consider himself a part of. At different times in my life, I've definitely felt one with van Gogh and I argue that we all have. We can easily appreciate the beauty around us, but we can't appreciate the beauty in us. Our purpose seems so small while our imperfections seem so big. The fact of the matter is, we were made with a purpose even when we can't see it. There may be pain in the night, but joy comes in the morning. We just have to hold on to God until we come out on the other side. Van Gogh once said in a letter to his brother Theo:

"I am still far from being what I want to be, but with God's help I shall succeed."

I often find myself going stargazing with van Gogh, seeing the beauty in everything around me while feeling utterly separated from it. I can't help feeling like we all do. My hope is that, with this blog, you and I can journey deeper into God's love and see the richness and beauty in everything that God has created...including ourselves.