ChurchLeaders.com Turns One Year Old!

Just a little over a year ago my phone rang while I was in Philadelphia with some of our students. "Hello," I answered. "Hey! It's Marko." Mark Oestreicher was calling to tell me about a new start-up called "ChurchLeaders.com." This 10-year project in the making was about to go live around the world. He had been asked to serve on sort of an advisory board for the project and he knew they were looking for an editor for the Youth Ministry channel and he thought I was the guy for the job. I can't tell you how humbled I was that he thought of me.


Soon after I landed the role with ChurchLeaders and now, one-year later, we're going strong. In fact, we've had over 5.4 million page views on the site. God has done some amazing things through this ministry... and I've been blessed to be a small part of it.

Today ChurchLeaders.com turns one-year old. To celebrate I created the mock front-page you see above. ;) I think I'll have a piece of cake now.

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I Need Counseling.

The news department at CIU picked up my latest blog post and did a brief news story that was published early this morning. They added this funny pic with a caption that reads "Dr. Olshine counsels Terrace Crawford." Read the news story [here].

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Church Sign About Sex

A friend of mine pastors a church in Hampton, VA and he has been doing a teaching series called "Desperate Sex Lives." A gentleman in that community was ticked off because the church sign flashes the word SEX right across the street from a school. This guy called the news media and, of course, it got attention. Here's a quick vid of the news:

Go Freddy. I'm proud of you. I cannot agree more that the church has been silent too long on such a hot topic. Thanks to the news team who gave him the free publicity for his church. =)
Side note: I recently booked Freddy to speak to our students at an upcoming weekend conference I'm putting together. Can't wait!

Do you think the church should be tackling topics like Sex? Do you think this church should be sensitive to the fact there is a school across the street and not post controversial messages?


RSS Subscribers: there is video [here]. Visit my friends @ Theme Thursday.

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Charlie Beat Me...

Charlie beat me to the punch. Before I could get anything on my site about Haiti this young boy has already raised a fortune! Charlie Simpson, a 7-year-old kid from London, saw the graphic images from Haiti on his television and told his mom he had to do something about it. So he did. He told his mom he could ride his bike & raise money. She soon launched a giving page online for him and he wrote this little message to donors:
"My name is Charlie Simpson. I want to do a sponsored bike ride for Haiti because there was a big earthquake and loads of people have lost their lives. I want to make money to buy food, water and tents for everyone in Haiti. I'm going to cycle around South Park as many times as possible (at least 10 laps I hope!) Please can you sponsor me and all your money will go to UNICEF who are collecting for Haiti."

Just last night I was speaking to a group of students. Part of my message was that they have been fed a lie that they are too young to make a difference. This story is proof that they are not.
Charlie's site has raised over $160,000 so far! You can add to that by giving on Charlie's site [here] or feel free to give through World Vision or the Red Cross, two great organizations doing incredible work on the ground right now in Haiti.

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Is America a Judeo-Christian Nation?

Is America a Judeo-Christian Nation? I guess it depends on who you ask. On May 6th, Congressman Randy Forbes (VA) addressed the U.S. House of Representatives on the House Floor in response to President Obama’s claims that the United States was not a Judeo-Christian nation. Congressman Forbes asks the questions "Did America ever consider itself a Judeo-Christian nation?" and "If America was once a Judeo-Christian nation, when did it cease to be?"






"Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, on April 6th of this year, the President of the United States traveled halfway around the globe, and in the nation of Turkey, essentially proclaimed that the United States was not a Judeo-Christian nation.

I don't challenge his right to do that or dispute the fact that it is what he believes, but I wish he had asked and answered two questions when he did that. The first question was whether or not we ever considered ourselves a Judeo-Christian nation, and the second one was, if we did, what was the moment in time where we ceased to be so?"
[click here] to read the full transcript.

I respect President Barack Obama and the office of the president but I must say I feel he misspoke here. While America seems to be accepting of all beliefs, you cannot deny our spiritual heritage and the Judeo-Christian principles and values our nation was built on. I applaud Congressman Forbes for taking a stand and for introducing this resolution, which would declare the first week in May as "America's Spiritual Heritage Week," dedicated to the education and appreciation of our rich spiritual history.

So what do you think about President Obama's statement? How about Rep. Randy Forbes speech and resolution?

RSS Subscribers: there is video [here]

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Church on the Vegas Strip

My friend, Vince Antonucci, is planting a church on the Las Vegas strip.  This is the same guy who planted a church in a bar that I told you about last year.   I love Vince's passion for those far from God.  Check out this vid and hear his heart and vision for this church. 


So Vince is praying for 500 people to give $100 over the next 100 days to help start this church.   Check out [this site] and prayerfully consider becoming a Verve Venture Capitalist. You can also follow Vince's journey on his blog [here]

RSS Subscribers: There is video here.

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The End of an Era

The news broke yesterday that youth ministry veteran, Doug Fields, has resigned from Saddleback Church.  Doug has invested over 18 years at the church, so I know he'll be sorely missed as a staff member but I'm excited about the new opportunities Doug will be pursuing. Here's a little exerpt from his letter on Saddleback's blog:
"What am I going to do? Well, there’s not another specific job” that I’m departing to, but I am leaving staff to pursue some incredible opportunities to express my writing and teaching gifts. What I’m really doing is what I’ve taught you to do-listen for God’s whisper and obey it! Several people have said, You’re crazy to leave a secure Saddleback Church job during this unstable market.” Humanly speaking, they’re right… following God doesn’t always make sense, but I know I need to do the right thing: listen and obey." -- Doug Fields

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VIP Treatment

On Thursday my good friend scored VIP passes to the Redskins vs. Patriots game on Friday evening. He invited me to come along and boy did I enjoy myself. Let me just say, I can get use to the VIP treatment real quick. Parking at the entrance to the stadium, free buffet dinner in the loge and honestly, the best seats in the house. It was a night to remember.

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Site Shout: Simply YM Conference

The Simply Youth Ministry Conference official site launched over the weekend. The Conference is scheduled for February 26-March 01, 2010 in Chi-town... and I plan to be there. =)
Make sure to check out the site, register, and join me and countless other youth workers for the time of your life.

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Resources for Leaders

I just mailed out some more FREE resources for leaders. In fact, I do this weekly now. I spent some time this week just calculating and have found that this year alone, 2009, I have given away more than $4,200 in FREE resources!

I love resourcing, equipping and networking leaders and feel that this is part of my calling. In fact, I feel God is about to take this to a whole notha level. I'm not sure what this will look like, but I can tell you that more often now resources and opportunities to equip and encourage leaders are coming my way and I wouldn't be surprised if next year at this time that figure I just gave you triples in number!

I have given away FREE books, FREE music, FREE training booklets and have even been able to get scholarships and FREE registrations for leaders to conferences. (Note: I'm currently running a week-long promotion to giveaway 4 FREE registrations to LifeWay's National Youth Workers Conference, valued at $145.00 each!)

The reality is, everything isn't free. There is cost involved in being able to resource leaders. I don't want to have to curtail spending or cutback on the number of resources I'm able to provide; however, this site and ministry operates on donations and sponorships.

If you have been blessed by this site in some way or would like to participate in being a blessing to others and would like to make a contribution, please utilize the donation link on the sidebar of my site. You can also mail a contribution to: TerraceCrawford.com, PO Box 2461, Yorktown, VA 23692. I'm doing something special for the first few contributions I receive after this post. The first 5 people to contribute $20.00 or more will receive a FREE CD & BOOK of choice from my warehouse! Thank you for your continued support of TerraceCrawford.com and please, tell others about this site. I'm excited about the future plans I have for this site.

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I'm giving away FOUR (count 'em 1, 2, 3, 4) FREE registrations to LifeWay's National Youth Worker's Conference that will be held in Nashville in September!

LifeWay's National Youth Workers Conference is three days of inspiration, encouragement, and practical how-to's focused on developing students, a time for youth workers to come together and learn more about student ministry.

[Click here] to see the full line-up of speakers and artists headlining the conference this year. If you can go and would like a chance at winning FREE registration to the conference (valued at $145.00!), just leave a comment (with your full name and city & state where you reside) and you are entered! It's just that easy.

Congratulations to:
Brian Metz (Madison, AL); Guy Chmieleski (Nashville, TN); Lee Brown (Sumter, SC); Jay Worsley (Dobson, NC)



*Please note the guidelines before entering.

Official Guidelines:
*The sponsor of this promotion\contest is
TerraceCrawford.com and LifeWay Christian Resources®
*The promotion will begin immediately and will end at 3:00pm EST, August 27, 2009.

*The prize is one FREE registration with a retail value of $145.00 USD (“Prize”). Hotel accomodations and airfare are not part of this promotion or prize. The winner is responsible for contacting the sponsor (Terrace Crawford) after promotion ends and winners are announced within 14 days to claim prize.
*To enter the promotion, the entrant must leave a comment indicating their full name and city & state where they reside.
*Four winners will be selected randomly from all the valid entries. Sponsor will post the winner's names to this post. If the winner does not respond within fourteen (14) days, he or she will forfeit the prize and another winner will be randomly chosen.
*No purchase is necessary to enter or win. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. Employees of Sponsor and family members of such employees are not eligible to enter.
By participating in this promotion, entrants agree to release and hold harmless sponsor(s) from any claim or cause of action arising out of participation in the promotion.


We appreciate any tweeting about this promotion! Good luck to all who enter.
TWEET THE FOLLOWING: @terracecrawford is giving away 4 FREE REGISTRATIONS to the National Youth Workers Conference http://bit.ly/65Nps #lnywc

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The Nines


TerraceCrawford.com has been selected as one of about 12 sites that will host THE NINES.

If you haven't heard about THE NINES yet...then listen up. This one-day conference is unlike any conference you've ever heard of...

  • It is specifically FOR church leaders (although anyone can attend).
  • You will hear from dozens of leaders (nearly 60+ speakers confirmed already!). But get this...each one will only talk for 9 minutes. That's it. They will bring one big idea to the table and deliver it right to you in just 9 minutes flat.
  • You don't have to travel anywhere to participate. Gather as a staff in a conference room or sit at home in your pajamas. Your choice.
  • You can watch it all day (recommended!), or you can come and go, tune in and out as your schedule allows.
  • It is totally FREE. You do have to register, but there is no cost and there are no strings attached!
I'm one of 1,500 participants that have already signed up to tune in. Please don't pass up this incredible opportunity. So sign up today, then tune in [here] on September 9th at 9:09am (CDT).

Special thanks to my good friends at The Leadership Network and Catalyst for sponsoring such an incredible event... and for making it free.

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Life and Death in 27 Hours

I've been following the blog of Matt Logelin recently. I heard about him through an interview where he was telling of the adventures of being a single parent to daughter, Madeline.
Matt experienced joy and sadness in 27 hours time when his daughter was born and then his wife passed away. Matt started a blog soon after to share about daily life as a single parent. Word quickly spread and 40,000 subscribers [to his blog] later he has found himself on national television and his story published in People Magazine. 
I found this to be a very interesting and inspiring story about how he [Matt] has moved forward from such a painful experience to create something to help people. His blog is now a community for single parents, a place for giving and sharing advice, and he has created a foundation (named after his deceased wife) to assist families who find themselves in the heartbreaking situation of having lost a spouse or parent. 

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Opportunities for You & Me

Here are some cool opportunties for you and for me...

Save Time & Money:: I give you the 411 on how to save time & money just by reading blogs! Click here to find out more about how you can enjoy reading TerraceCrawford.com and your other favorite blogs in the comfort of your home (or office) and save money while doing it.

Graphics Designers:: I'm always jonesing for graphics designers to help me with imaging. Whether it be for personal or ministry use, I have a number of designers that I use from time to time but am always looking others who have the talent. If you are interested in working with me, shoot me your email address and I'll have a chit-chat with you at my earliest convenience.

Sponsorships:: I allow advertising on my blog and occasionally have space for additional sponsors. If you are interested in advertising on my blog drop me an email for rates and availability.

Blogroll:: Here in the near future I will be making some minor changes to my template (major overhaul will come later) and will be updating my blogroll. For the past year I've spotlighted my current favorites but have wanted to share some *link love* with others (like you!) who are making a difference. If you'd like to be listed in the blogroll leave a comment here with your full name and a link to your blog. *I will gladly link to anyone who shares the love and links to my blog from their personal blogroll.

Resources:: I give away a TON of resources through my blog. It's what I do. :=) I love resourcing leaders and plan to continue to do this as a ministry of TerraceCrawford.com. I have a small resource closet (sometimes I refer to it as 'the warehouse') and giveaway a number of items each week -- sometimes through face-to-face meetups, through my blog or even on twitter! If you have resources that you would like to donate to me or would like to form a partnership please contact me. I'd love to chat with you about how we can equip and encourage today's leaders.

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Win Free Resources from TerraceCrawford.com

Its high time I give away more resources on this blog.  What can I say?  Its what I love to do. This contest is particularly targeted to youth workers but open to everyone.  It's real simple too.  Just leave a comment with your name and where you are located (city\state or territory only) and you'll be entered to win!  (Hurry, contest closes Wednesday, June 10, 2009 - 3:00PM est.)

What I'm giving away:  I am giving away a free video curriculum from LifeWay Resources, valued at $159.95!  Additionally, I'll throw in a book of your choice:  Tribes by Seth Godin; Killing Cockroaches by Tony Morgan; or Communicating for Change by Andy Stanley.

Increase your prize:  Just for you folks on twitter I'll also throw in a Starbucks gift card if you tweet about this contest and leave the URL to your status\update in the comments as proof. (Just add this to your comment with your name & location).  

Recommendation of Tweet: @terracecrawford is giving away a plethora of resources! enter here http://tinyurl.com/ph98mb for your chance to win big! #thisisawesome

Good luck!  Winner to be chosen at random (via Random.org) sometime after 3:00PM EST. on Wednesday, June 10th.  One winner to be chosen by yours truly.


... and the WINNER is...
Sara Eden Williams - Williamson, NY // @saraeden

Winner chosen 06.10.09 // Contest Closed

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Faith on the Rise

Editor's Note: This not a post about prosperity prayers but rather a personal (and candid) snapshot of my faith on the rise and true accounts from the last 90 days of my life as well as an anticipation of whats to come.

A good friend challenged me a while back to spend 90 days in focused prayer. I must be honest, I find prayer difficult at times so I wasn't exactly "thrilled" when he encouraged me to do this. Prayer is hard work ... and sometimes its even boring. Yea, I said it. With that said I must also say that I believe its key to communion with God and I've seen prayer work in my life - over and over again.

I know MYSELF so well that I knew I would have to do little things to help me focus during the 90 days. One of the things I did was just changing my wallpaper to a simple nine-zero. You may recall this from a previous post. Ironically, it didn't help me much. Boy, the enemy is slick right? My eyes would blow right past it each and every time I would start up my computer, never seeing the nine-zero. Of course, this could explain it also. Perhaps its not the enemy's fault?

I'm not a person who neglects to ask God for things for myself, but sometimes I don't ask him as much as I probably should. Bottom line: I just don't pray enough. I truly believe God is the giver of all good things and wants to give us (his children) lots of things, sometimes we just need to simply ASK.

I have a good friend who has always been an inspiration to me. I believe he prays about EVERYTHING. One day he told me that he had been needing a pair of shoes for a few weeks. He went to the stores and perused through the stock, priced them and just ... prayed about it. He knew which pair he wanted but never bought them. One day within a matter of two weeks a knock came to his door and there were the shoes! The exact shoes he wanted. WOW. My faith has so increased just listening to him. I never believed I could experience the same things he did. Perhaps my faith was just too small?

Yesterday my faith rose.

I've been needing a washer & dryer for my new home and haven't had the extra money to buy a set. Sure, I've checked out Craigslist ... garage sales...etc., but nothing seemed right. In fact, I just felt like I didn't need to take action in this case (yes, I believe God wants us to put feet to our prayers in many cases). I really felt like he wanted to give me a washer & dryer. In fact, I put a post on Craigslist that read something like "I'm looking for a FREE? washer & dryer. Preferably one in great condition." Funny huh? Well, yesterday I was a little frustrated. I was at the point where I started to feel the desperation kick in. Know that feeling? For the first time I really voiced a simple prayer to God "Ok, God. I really need a washer & dryer. Could you please provide for me?" Within a few hours my phone rang. It was a family member of mine calling to say they were at a store picking out a new washer & dryer for me and needed my address for shipping. What a miracle! God is so good. (Editor's Note: I'll be smelling better before long.)

I'm anticipating another miracle. I want to take students to Charleston, South Carolina this summer to minister in urban communities and we need money. In fact, we really need to raise $3,000 in 3 weeks in order for this mission to even happen. Thats not all. Truth is, our entire church is anticipating a miracle. We've been meeting in an elementary school for years and our members feel God is calling us to build. Now. We are about to launch a fundraising campaign and need around one million dollars for this project. Gulp.

I'm not sure what you are taking away from this post. I just felt compelled to write it. Hopefully its offered a bit of encouragement for you... or perhaps made your faith rise. I sure hope so. Otherwise, maybe its to help us pray or support us in the area of our financial need. For now, here's to our faith... on the rise!

If you'd like to make a tax-deductible contribution towards our mission this summer, please contact me for further instructions.

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Hillsong Listening Party

Last night I stopped by Carlos Whittaker's listening party for a while. He decided to host a special HillSong United Listening Party so his peeps could preview the new album by Hillsong, scheduled to drop this Tuesday. Good times. GREAT album.

I simply MUST see them when they come to Virginia Beach in June.
(click on graphic to enlarge)

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You Tubesday

One of my students showed me this video last week. I was dying!



Classic lines:
Milton: "I took my grandma car because I got mad at my mom. And then I suddenly had my friend come in. And he smokes with cigarettes."

Milton: "I wanna do it 'cause it's fun. It's fun to do bad things — and drive into a car."
Reporter:"Did you know that you could perhaps kill somebody?"
Milton:"Yes, but I wanted to do hoodrat stuff with my friend."

Reporter: "You don't think you should be punished for all of this?"
Milton: "Just a little bit — no video games for a whole weekend."

RSS Subscribers: There is video here.

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Introducing STORY

Introducing STORY. My friend, Ben Arment, has whipped up a first-of-its-kind experience for communicators of the Gospel - the greatest story ever told. It will be held on Wednesday, October 28 at the Paramount Theater in Aurora, Illinois.

Speakers include Donald Miller, Nancy Beach, Dave Gibbons, Ed Young, Stacy Spencer, Chris Seay and Mike Foster. A day of workshops will follow on October 29 at nearby Orchard Valley Community Church, featuring illustrators, designers, scholars, authors and communications experts. Register for the conference and enter to win 2 free trips to the Kilns - CS Lewis’ home in Oxford, England! Find out more at www.storychicago.com.

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Dinner on Me.

Well, not really. Its actually dinner on KFC and Oprah. Oprah thought it would be cool to give the American people the hookup and treat them to dinner so she got KFC to donate a 2-piece meal of their new grilled chicken (which is not bad - I've tried it), sides and biscuit for each person in your family (limited to four persons).

I spotted this on twitter and decided to let you know about it. You only have 24 hours to download the coupon (which is good for two weeks) and, again, you are limited to four downloads. Enjoy! and spread the word.

You must download before 11.59pm CDT on May 06, 2009

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