It all started 25 years ago today...

Twenty five years ago today I boarded a plane for the short hop from Dublin, Ireland, to Birmingham, England, to start a gap year with Time For God. Little did I know then that that was the beginning of a journey that hasn't yet finished. My intention was to do a year in Longbridge, where my placement was, and then move home. God clearly had other ideas, and I'm still on this wonderful journey through life and youth ministry.

It's a journey that has taken me to some wonderful places, and introduced me to some amazing people. I've seen God do amazing things, had experiences that changed and influenced me profoundly, been privileged to walk with young people through some very difficult times and many, many loud, sleepless, laughter-filled, pizza and caffeine fueled overnighters, retreats and mission trips. There are so many treasured memories. 

Over the last few months I've been aware of this upcoming milestone, and wondered what, if anything, to do, to acknowledge it. I've met dozens of other youth workers/pastors/directors over these 25 years, all of whom have taught me something, and I hope I've helped them grow too. Some of them are still in youth ministry, some moved into other ministry roles, including ordination and/or church leadership. Some have changed career altogether. I also know, from the various ministry conferences I've been to there aren't all that many of us long-timers, so while I don't normally draw attention to myself, I felt I wanted in some way to mark this milestone. In an ideal, non-Covid world I'd buy lunch for a local group of fellow youth ministers that meets once a month and leave it at that. 

However, as we all know, we are in a Covid-19 dominated season, so that's not an option. And right now, I would love to tell Covid-19 to "do one" and leave us alone. Like so many of us, I'm fed up with it. Over the last couple of months it has really got to me, and for all my experience, I've struggled to adapt to this season of ministry. It has been, without doubt, the hardest season of ministry I have known. I'm grateful for the support of others, including a trained counsellor, and for God whispering gently in my ear, but it has been, and still is, a struggle.  

I mentioned earlier the memories I treasure from so many years of journeying with the hundreds of teenagers over the years. Right now, those memories are one of the things that sustain me. Over the next few weeks, I'll share some of those. I'll share some of the things that have changed, some of the anecdotes, some of the Scriptures that have helped me out, and some of my insights, for what they are worth.

So in some ways, this blog is part trip down Memory Lane and Nostalgia Avenue, part self-care as I navigate this challenging season. But it's also, hopefully, in a small way, an encouragement to others who are struggling in this difficult time, and particularly to others who are struggling in youth ministry. You are not alone. 

I've never been a regular blogger before, and I've no idea how long I'll stick at this, at the moment I only intend to post every few days for the next few weeks and have an open mind as to where my musings will lead. After all, I thought I was only going to England for a year....