Kurt Klement became my friend over lunch in Dallas, Texas. Along with 11 of his 45 youth volunteers from St. Ann's Catholic Church, he came to Irving Bible Church in April for our Jesus-Focused Youth Ministry training. His church illustrates Reach Out's momentum in Texas.

Kurt Klement and St. Ann's Catholic Church

What the Lord is doing already at St. Ann's and what He is preparing them to do, demonstrates how the Holy Spirit wants to work in His Body to reach and disciple the younger generation. This story is "outside the box" for some, yet it expresses what I say often about God's work around the world: "The Holy Spirit is always working, at all times, in all places, with all people."

During our JFYM Forum and over lunch I discovered that Kurt has served as the youth pastor at St. Ann's for 17 years. 10,000 people attend Mass every Sunday. Over 600 teenagers actively engage with their ministry weekly. 45 committed adults lead them. The 11 who attended the Forum serve on their Executive Youth Leadership Team--a lively, energetic, and relationally well-connected group. As we discussed the Catholic/Protestant issue over lunch, he told me, "I have found nothing about Jesus-Focused Youth Ministry that I, or our church, cannot embrace." Later during a break he asked me what we do with our resources on the Display Table. "We send them back," I said. He responded, "Can I buy them?" He bought everything!

During the day and later in our weekly "coaching calls", I sensed Kurt's humility and hunger. He expressed to me, "Barry, my greatest desire for our leaders and students is for them to love Jesus more and for our ministry to more intentionally disciple our leaders and kids like Jesus did." I wish I heard that more often from other youth leaders!

As Kurt and I got to know each other better on our calls, we dug down into practical ways a large ministry like St. Ann's can more intentionally pursue a relational disciple-making ministry. Together, we discovered a series of practical actions that Kurt wants to take. Once implemented at St. Ann's, Kurt envisions us introducing Jesus-Focused Youth Ministry to Catholic churches throughout the Dallas diocese.

Other Leaders Like Kurt    

Yet Kurt is only one of several leaders engaged in Reach Out's Texas momentum.

At the Dallas Forum David Grant, Randy Riggins and I led 7 churches from 6 denominations. Now David and Randy coach each church to implement JFYM. 

In Burleson and Cleburne, Rick Eubanks and Aaron Scarbrough led two Forums and certified 5 new Eagle Leaders.

In Inner City Houston this summer, Rick Eubanks will lead a JFYM Forum. The Burleson Forum youth leaders, whom Rick coaches every Monday morning, will help lead.

In Waxahachie, Texas Wayne Slay is coaching  the High School and Middle School Pastors through JFYM this summer.

Lamar Slay and Randy Riggins have met with Southwestern Baptist Seminary and Dallas Seminary youth ministry professors and the door has opened to train students in JFYM in the fall.

Several other Forums, plenty of coaching, and certifying more Eagle Leaders are "in the works" for the fall.

Jesus is Lord,