Those Who Can't Teach… 

Teach Gym!

This week I’m in Ensenada, Mexico. I’m the teacher for our Mission Adventures ministry. There’s a Christian school from Torrance, CA here and when I had the chance to meet with the staff that accompanied their students, I just couldn’t help myself…

There’s a great line from the incredible film, The School of Rock, starring Jack Black. His character, Dewey Finn, has conned his way into a teaching job at prestigious private school. He’s eating lunch with the other faculty and staff, and teasing the gym teacher. He says:

“ “Those who can’t do, teach. And those who can’t teach, teach gym.” ”
— Dewey Finn

They all laugh, and the gym teacher takes it in stride. This is funny, of course because is teaching gym class really teaching? I mean, that’s what we all believe, right? But what if there’s more to gym class than we think? We tend to believe that education is the training of the mind. And at least with the little kids, recess, and gym class are about letting all the energy out so we can capture their little brains. The idea is if we can change their thinking, then we can change them!

Those of us who are believers will faithfully quote:

“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
— Romans 12:2

And this is true, and it is biblical.

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One of the great things about YWAM is that we do things hands-on. Yes, will spend a little bit of time in the meeting hall, but will spend most of our time out on the field. The kids will get some education here, in the big room, but they’ll put it into practice, out there.

And there’s something about putting it into practice, isn’t there? When a student applies what they’ve received in the classroom, learning outcomes are increased. This is where we see real growth and change. It’s not just in the mind, it’s in the body:

“Offer your bodies as living sacrifices…”
— Romans 12:1

And this is why Paul wrote in Romans 12 verse one, to offer our bodies as living sacrifices. Somehow it was understood that our transformation is both bodily and mentally.

I think this is why Mission Adventures is successful in accelerating the spiritual growth of students. Yes, we will have Bible teaching. And I love to teach, but I’m not the best teacher ever. And so with Mission Adventures, we don’t rely solely on what happens in the classroom. We take it outside. We make the neighborhoods and the colonias and the people they serve a part of our learning opportunities.

You all have a unique opportunity this week. Those of you on the faculty of the school likely spend most of your time in the classroom. This week we’re going outside of the room. This week we get to apply the learning. This week we get hands-on , this week we get dirty. And this will make all the difference.

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So maybe we need to be a little bit nicer to those who teach gym class…

How Saul of Tarsus Became the Apostle Paul

Kay Charlotte and I are reading Paul by N.T. Wright.

This is an engaging portrait of the man who wrote a good portion of the New Testament. Wright helps us imagine what Paul’s early life could have been like. He straightens out that tangle of where he went and when. He asks, “How did this guy become who he did?”, and, “Why did his work spark the incredible movement of the Church?” Of course, Kay Charlotte and I are both challenged — Wright’s scholarship is excellent and I really have to focus to keep up with his thinking. Not only that, we are challenged with his lifestyle, his theology, and how to follow Jesus as he did.

And…

We’ve registered for YWAM’s Paul Seminar this summer. We’re getting a jump start on the reading for a 2 week class at the YWAM campus in Lausanne, Switzerland. The seminar focuses on Paul’s journey to Christlikeness, and the course description says,

Through personal study, communal worship, intentional discussion, and hands-on application, you will gain new insights into Paul’s letters and the Book of Acts—discovering how his life “in Christ” was never meant to be a solo venture but walked out together in community.

We are both so excited for this:

  • The seminar is led by Maureen Menard.* We are going to be working with Maureen on a school of spiritual formation in Tijuana in 2026. And so this seminar is an opportunity for us to get to know one another and lay a foundation for working together.

  • I (Craig) am hoping to join the next cohort of the University of the Nations’ Spiritual Formation masters degree program — led by Maureen. So this will be a good first step in that direction.

  • We get to travel to Europe… together — most of the time it’s one of us who goes while the other ‘keeps the home fires’ burning. We hope to add a few extra days to enjoy Europe.

I love that God is leading us in this way. It’s as if He is saying to us,

“You are not finished yet — I have good works left for you to do. I am continuing to expand your lives so that you are capable of what I Am calling you towards…”

We look forward to what these next steps will lead us to…

Thankfully, we’ve already received a scholarship that helps cover our tuition.

We anticipate that airfares, ground fees and other expenses will total around $3500 US. If you’d like to be a part of sending us, click the button below. We will keep you posted on this upcoming adventure.

This link will take you to YWAM San Diego/Baja’s staff support page. There you can give online securely and get a tax deductible receipt. Please, once you’ve given, send us a note to let us know that your gift is for the Paul Seminar.

*Maureen joined YWAM in the 80’s, is a Vice President in YWAM’s University of the Nations, and has founded the Centre for Christian Formation and Discipleship.

Homes of Hope Goes to School

Recently, Kay Charlotte and I heard about Jairo and his school project. This story was originally sent to YWAM’s Moment of Hope subscribers. Click this link to subscribe for more stories of transformation.

Jairo was so excited he could hardly contain his emotions as his class was dismissed.

Jairo's teacher assigned a project to his class. Each child was instructed to create a scale replica of their home out of any craft materials they wished. They were to bring the models to school and share about them. Just a few months earlier, Jairo helped build his real home when a team from New Life Church came to build his family a Homes of Hope house..

Later that evening, he worked diligently to create a scale model from cereal boxes and cardboard as his older brother, Sergio Junior, watched. Maybe he remembered that special moment he raised the walls with the Homes of Hope team. After being evicted from their rental in Tijuana, and sharing a single room in his grandfather's house for four years, Jairo's family began a new chapter in their life by becoming homeowners through the gift of a Home of Hope.

While Jairo might be the first child to bring his Home of Hope to school with him, the impact of a home resonates far beyond its four walls.

We’ve identified Five Benefits of a Home. A stable home environment significantly improves a child’s ability to focus on their education. Obstacles that are linked to low school attendance rates are mitigated through secure housing. Jairo’s parents, Sergio and Brenda, dream that their children will keep studying and find a career. “I will support them in any way possible”, Brenda shares.

Homes of Hope is the gateway into our communities to see true and lasting transformation. Every day, thousands of families walk out the doors of their homes, carrying transformation with them into their neighborhood, their workplaces, and beyond.

Learn more about Homes of Hope by clicking the link below

I Picked You Out of the Crowd Because I Think You'll Do It

Scott from Oak Harbor, WA went on a Mission Adventures Outreach in 1999. His youth group received training in Los Angeles for four days, and then shared God’s love and gospel Tijuana for six. It was a life changing experience for him.

Ross Tooley was our featured speaker that week.* He sought Scott out one day and said:

I have a challenge for you.

And I picked you out of the crowd because

I think you’ll do it.

The challenge was to read three pages of the Old Testament and one page of the New Testament every day for a year. Ross told him it would fill his life with scripture and he would never be the same.

So Scott did it! It was his junior year in high school, and he didn’t miss a day of reading for the whole year. He said it drastically changed the entire course of his life. He chose to go to Bible college, studied theology, became a youth pastor, and then started working in business.

Two weeks ago, Scott returned to YWAM Tijuana. This time he brought his son and together they built a Homes of Hope house for a family in need.

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I love this. I love that Scott accepted Ross’ challenge. I believe it was the Bible that transformed Scott’s life. I believe Holy Spirit met Scott each day and helped him understand the Scriptures. I believe Scott then made his choices with God. I love that Ross picked him out — and that Scott is part of Ross’ great legacy of faith. I love that this started on a Mission Adventures outreach. What a privilege for Kay Charlotte and I to have played a role in Scott’s story.

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The theme in 1999 was Route 99: To the Ends of the Earth. It was centered on the idea of a great American road trip from here to everywhere. Here’s the tee shirt artwork from that year:

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*Ross Tooley was a YWAM legend. He grew up in New Zealand and at age 18 joined Youth With A Mission. He pioneered YWAM’s ministries in the Philippines. He ‘promoted to glory’ in 2019. You can learn more about him through his books, including Adventures in Naked Faith (1996 YWAM Publishing)

Joy!

The Third Week of Advent Is Focused on Joy

When the angels appeared to the shepherds near Bethlehem, in the glory of God they announced:

““Do not be afraid. I bring you good news. It will bring great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you. He is the Messiah, the Lord.””
— Luke 2:10-11 (NIRV)

There is so much joy to experience as we remember the coming of our King!

I also think about the wonderful privilege it is to repeat the angel’s announcement of this great news. This is our joy as missionaries with YWAM and as believers to go everywhere and tell everyone that God is with us in the person of Jesus.

Joy & Happiness

While joy rhymes with happiness, I think happiness is much more fickle and fleeting. It is my shallower response to my circumstances. If someone compliments me on my outfit, I’m happy. But if someone honks at me while I’m driving, happiness is gone instantly.

Joy is something deeper. Joy doesn’t depend on what’s going on in my life, it’s the deep result of God’s presence. God’s Spirit produces joy in us and makes joy for the world through us. It’s God’s fruit growing through our lives because we are connected to Him.

Joy & Togetherness

God so often produces joy in me when I’m with the ones I love. A good cup of coffee and a meaningful conversation with a friend can bring such joy. Jim Wilder writes in his book, The Other Half of Church, “Joy is relational. It is what we feel when we are with someone who is happy to be with us. Joy does not exist outside of a relationship.” This shows me that togetherness and joy are hand-in-hand.

Joy & Loss

And at the same time, I think of joy as a fragile thing. I think sometimes I’m afraid to fully give myself over to it. I don’t want to look like a fool — but more than that, I hesitate to let myself experience joy because I don’t want to lose it. I don’t want circumstances, difficulties, sicknesses or anything to steal it. Have you felt this? Have you, like me, withheld your expressions of joy because it hurts too much when it’s gone? Christmas can be hard when we are reminded of loss, of who’s not here, of what’s missing. And so it can be challenging to allow ourselves to experience joy if we are fearful of loss and pain.

Joy & Difficulty

I’m reminded of the last supper. Jesus was telling the disciples that He was about to go away. It was a difficult moment. They were upset, and Jesus comforted them by saying, “Now it’s your time to be sad. But I will see you again. Then you will be full of joy — and no one can take it away!” (John 16:22, paraphrased)

Joy & Reunion

And Jesus took this further. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the author of Hebrews wrote, “…He paid no attention to the shame of the cross. He suffered there because of the joy he was looking forward to...” Hebrews 12:2 (NIRV) Here’s the relational thing again — Jesus endured torture because he knew that it would ensure our union with him. The suffering paled in comparison to the coming joy of all of us being able to be with him forever. There’s something about joy and reunion, isn’t there?

Come Lord, Jesus!

As we anticipate remembering Christ coming into the world, we can allow ourselves to experience joy. And this is a foreshadowing, a little bit of a taste of the unspeakable joy we’ll experience when He comes again in Glory. We will see Him face-to-face, and I know I will be undone.

Thank You for Sending Us!

90 Seconds of Gratitude from a YWAM Homes of Hope Building Site

Last weekend, Kay Charlotte and I along with our daughter Taylor and her boyfriend Marcus built a home for a family in Tijuana, Mexico. This was such a fun time for us. We went with a team from Eastlake Church here in Chula Vista. It was great to work side-by-side with these great folks from our church.

Even better, it was so fun to build with Taylor. She quipped that during her time off from construction, she came to Mexico to do some more construction! She’s loving her work as a Field Engineer in construction Management, and she’s having a lot of success.

This was Marcus’ first build and he had such a great time. I saw him jump in and help with anything and everything. He went from painting, to sheetrock, to trim work and everything else. We are really enjoying his good nature and sense of humor.

We built for Erika and her two daughters, Mabel and Nahomey. They all were so sweet and worked so hard alongside us. My Spanish is not great, but we communicated through translators and we had lots of laughs. Erika works in a warehouse sorting produce for export. Even on her meager wages she is purchasing the land we built her home on. Giving them this house helps keep them safe, will help them stay healthy, and most of all lets them know that God sees them, loves them, and is with them. There were many tears of joy when we handed over the keys.

Thank you for sending us as your missionaries. Without your support, we would not be able to help families like this. By giving to us, you bless many around the world and God is receiving thanks and glory!

Here are a few more pics:

Erika, Mabel, Dahomey, and the team from Eastlake Church

Getting Started

Hard to believe that in 48 hours there will be a home here!

I worked on the framing crew and I’m still sore days later!

This is my friend Ivan. He’s a leader in the young adult group at Eastlake. This was his third build — be warned, Homes of Hope is habit forming!

Walls going up!

We got this far on Saturday! We had such a great foreman and crew of YWAMers leading and guiding us.

Marcus, Taylor, Mabel, Nahomey, Erika, Craig, and Kay Charlotte

If you’re not already a part of our sending team, would you prayerfully consider supporting us financially? Combined, Kay Charlotte and I have served 66 years with Youth With A Mission. We don’t receive a salary. Instead, we rely on friends like you to send us as their missionaries. Your gift can change the world!

Kyiv Report

I recently returned from Ukraine where I taught in YWAM Kyiv’s First Discipleship Training School Since the War Started

Courtesy Ocean Ng via Unsplash

70 Hours Door to Door

I’ve never traveled longer to get anywhere. It was a combination of factors — I traded time for a less convenient air itinerary, and since the Kyiv airport is closed, I could only fly as far as Poland.

Courtesy Vitaliy via Unsplash

55 Years Old

I celebrated my 55th birthday by taking trains from Warsaw to Kyiv — a 15 hour journey. Thank goodness my train seat was a bed!

The Kyiv DTS and Me

10 Students from 5 Nations

The class was made up of four women and six men. One from Canada, one from Germany, one from the Netherlands, one from the USA, and six from Ukraine.

Some classroom shenanigans… 

15 Hours of Teaching

I had a three hour session each day to teach on Outreach Preparation and Evangelism. I spoke on Why Go?, Maximizing this Opportunity to Grow, Working Together, Communicating Clearly, and Telling Bible Stories to Share Your Faith. The students were super responsive and we had a whole lot of fun in class

Four Hours of Tourism

Nadia and Dima took me into downtown Kyiv and gave me a tour of the historic churches and places in the city. Of course we enjoyed some amazing coffee and even visited a chocolate shop where I picked up some gifts for the family. :)

Courtesy Nathan Dunlao via Unsplash

12ish Hours of Two-on-Ones

I met with most of the students along with their “one-on-one” staff member for at least an hour. I also met with several staff members as well.  These sessions allow us to go deeper than we do in class and are unstructured so we can talk about whatever the student needs. In many of these conversations we talked about boundaries, the importance of keeping sabbath, having healthy expectations, and having ‘thick skin’ while maintaining a tender heart towards our community.

Courtesy Yulia Kens

Today, They Are on Outreach

The students and staff are preparing for the first wave of Homes of Hope to be built. They’re delivering building supplies to the sites and making everything ready. From here they’ll have two months of practical, hands-on application of what they learned in the classroom phase of the Discipleship Training School.

Courtesy Tina Hartung via Unsplash

Thank You Again

Thank you for sending me to Ukraine. It was my privilege to go, but this was our trip because you sent me. Please continue to pray for these students, and for YWAM Kyiv, and for an end to the war.

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