CORE TEAM DREAM

For what seems like forever, I've wanted to join the CORE team from Youth Specialties. Initially it was because of a pitch I heard at the National Youth Workers Convention where Mike Yaconelli said they were going to be creating a 3 year curriculum called the CORE and then training teachers from those who went to all three years. But in the coming years, the Core went through some changes and that plan never really panned out. I'd pretty much decided that it would probably not be a reality for me, so I let it go and moved onto other things. Then about 6 weeks ago I got an e-mail asking me if I'd like to "test" and be considered for joining the team.

I sat at my desk shocked. I didn't know whether to believe it or not.

Then last Saturday, I co-taught (or tested) the Core with Crystal Kirgiss in Los Angeles and it went really good and I had so much fun. After Crystal's review was given, I got another e-mail today officially asking me to join the team for a year of teaching the material. If that all goes good, then I'd be on the team indefinitely.

Today I asked my senior pastor if I could do this in light of the Friday's I'd miss from church as I traveled to teaching locations and he gave me the OK assuming I didn't miss too many Sundays. Shannon and I talked and prayed it over too. We were trying to consider the commitment, which involves about 6 Saturdays a year, and some pre-trip training days and such. Ultimately, I think we decided that our family could do this and that this was an opportunity I didn't want to pass up. I think I will end up passing on a lot of other possible speaking engagements instead.

So, I'm gonna say yes. I think this means I'm almost officially a part of the CORE team. That's gonna take some getting used to. I'm still not sure it's not a dream. I think I'll wait until my picture is alongside the others before I really believe it.