Youth for Christ Emerging Leadership Conference

The Tour

hey for anyone interested in following our tour, we are blogging daily on the True blog.

Adventure

Sorry for not blogging in a while, I had an amazing holiday, but when we got home, Rebecca was really sick and had to go into hospital. This kind of through me and I got really far behind in work and to be honest I am still catching up. Going away at Easter is nice, but it really breaks ministry momentum.

Anyway, enough of that.

On Sunday, Alain Emerson, myself and Pete Morrison along with the Emmanuel Church Interns are heading away on an adventure. We are loading up the Youth for Christ van, with sleeping stuff, tents, some food, clothes etc and going on a kind of mini tour around Ireland. The goal? To quote John McMullan...the goal is Soul!

We plan to meet people, hear hearts, catch vision, pray, listen, speak, learn, laugh and allow God to show us something of His Kingdom in Ireland.

In Dublin we are staying with Alex and Keely, old friends from Bible College, meeting some of Alain's contacts, visiting CORE Church, catching up with Suzie Evans, YFC in Bray and then heading to Wexford to collect the Intern Team.

Then it's across to Cork, meet some more of Alain's contacts, in Cork City and then in Kinsale. After that we are up to Tipperary to meet Shane Tucker from CIYD, before heading to Galway via Limerick and the Cliffs of Moher. In Galways we are meeting up with Naomi, a YFC Worker there, and also joining up with Joshua Jones from Enniskillen YFC. Then we head inland to Athlone, to meet some more of Alain's contacts. Then we head north to Fermanagh, where we will spend some time with Josh and Dave, before meeting 2 or 3 local church leaders to catch a bit of what is going on around Fermanagh, before heading home.

I didn't really want to take this trip, it's a bit out of my comfort zone and with Rebecca's pregnancy, I seemingly had more reasons not to go, but God kept prompting and Rebecca was very sure that I should be going.

So if you get a chance, pray for us, for safe travel, maybe some good opportunities to share Jesus and that we would be a blessing to those we meet.

Update Time

The past month has been so busy! Youth for Christ had its Fundraising Corporate Dinner which raised a staggering £24,000. This should help keep our Ministry going for around 8-10 months along with all our current support and donations. God is good. I am very fortunate to have seen God work massively in the financial arena in respect to His work. In YFC we have managed to stay in the black for 6 weeks. That might not sound like very much, but my Finance Administrator has worked in YFCNI for 8 years and she is amazed to tell me this is the first time that YFC has been in the black in her time with the organisation. I am not suggesting that I have special financial arrangement with the Lord...actually when it comes to finance, personal and ministry, there is a huge gap in my skill base. So my response at times like this is to simply make the statement...God is good...because He is! It is awesome to be dependent upon such a bountiful God and to be connected through Jesus to some of the most generous people in the world.
I have just got home tonight from a meeting with a Trust in Portadown, a group of people whose ministry exists to give money to God's work... I mean how awesome is that! I shared some of my vision for the work with them and I will just trust God that if it is right He will move them to get behind us.
Even the last time I mentioned on my blog about needing more help to raise my personal support, the response was amazing with 3 people committing to support my ministry monthly.
God is good and His people are amazing.
So what about Rebecca? Well she is pretty sick, in a good way I think. The little baby inside her is now nearly 16 weeks old. One of my friends commented on the scan pictures that it is was like a little peanut.. so we have temporarily given the baby this cool name...wee peanut mccready. Needless to say the kids in Rebecca's P5 class think that name is great! Thanks to everyone who is praying for us...and peanut.
Holiday time...next week we are heading away on our holidays. We have been saving up for ages and next Friday we are spending all our pennies as we are heading off to the Carribbean for a week. I will get the mrs to take some pretty pics and I will stick them up here.. So how can we afford a trip like this...good question. We have saved hard for well over a year because we knew that this trip was coming up. We are heading away with Bec's parents. They are celebrating their 40th Wedding Anniversary and asked us to come with them, I guess due to the distance and our travel experience. Anyway all that to say, I can't wait, I need a break, and this is going to be a great one.
The only bad news I have is that I am missing the last two matches of my rugby season. My team, Grosvenor Stags are top of the league, with only four games left. It has been an amazing year and I am joint top points scorer, which I will probably lose out on due to being away on holiday. Still, I really hope the boys get the wins we need and we secure the title.
Sorry for the gap in my blogging...I will try to get back into the swing of things.

Wee McCready

Exciting news in the McCready family. Rebecca is pregnant with our first child. We went to the hospital yesterday for the twelve week scan. Thankfully everything is well with Becca and with wee McCready. I am dumping myself, I mean I can hardly look after myself, the thought that God would trust me to look after a wee baby. Anyway the details at 12 weeks and 3 days are that there is a wee baby, 5.9 cm (that is nearly the same size as me) and God willing should be born on September 1st 2008. Prayers for this next six months would be much appreciated.

Here is the wee monster...

Proximity!

Alain said something that stuck during his sermon on Sunday morning. It was the word Proximity. Is my life lived in proximity to those who need Jesus Christ? It is not often in church that I get to answer yes but today I could. My life is lived in proximity to lots of people who need Jesus. My family, with the exception of my younger brother and one cousin are not followers of Jesus, and the majority of my friends are not Christians. I am a privileged person to be able to share lives with these amazing people.
In Northern Ireland most Christians have very few relationships with those outside of the faith community, I am privileged to have many. With these relationships though comes a huge responsibity... the word that comes to mind is ambassador...
am·bas·sa·dor /æmˈbæsədər, -ˌdɔr/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[am-bas-uh-der, -dawr] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation –noun

1.	a diplomatic official of the highest rank, sent by one sovereign or state to another as its resident representative (ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary).

2.	a diplomatic official of the highest rank sent by a government to represent it on a temporary mission, as for negotiating a treaty.

3.	a diplomatic official serving as permanent head of a country's mission to the United Nations or some other international organization.

4.	an authorized messenger or representative. Abbreviation: Amb., amb.

"But how can people call for help if they don't know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven't heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them? And how is anyone going to tell them, unless someone is sent to do it?" Romans 10:14

So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 2 Corinthians 5:20

So God sends us, places us, uses us to be people who stand between him and the world. Priests!! Except instead of performing in a religious ceremony at a temple outside of the normal world, we are God's temple and he dwells in us, and our ceremony is a life of connectivity, with real people, in a real world in need of a real God.

unsettled?!

I have reached that point in my life. I knew it was coming but I didnt want to face it. Something has been brooding in my soul but I have avoided dealing with it, suppressing the feelings and passing them off as tiredness or sillyness. But now it is as if I can't settle until I begin to ask and answer some very big questions about my life.
Who am I really? What do I want my life to be about? What is important to me? What is God saying to me?
Leading Youth for Christ through the organisational restructure really wrecked me. It ploughed up my heart big time and brought a lot of these questions to the surface.
Then being in Calgary brought a really positive renewal in my heart. I loved being there, preaching, meeting leaders and being inspired again by the beauty of the church, global and local.
Last night at True, Brian Heasley challenged me big time. He talked about the danger of being settled.
"Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, the wife of his son Abram, and together they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Canaan. But when they came to Haran, they settled there.

Terah lived 205 years, and he died in Haran."

I guess this verse sums it up for me. Deep in my heart a little fire burns, like a pilot light. The fire once raged and caused me to move out and make decisions based on my faith in a wonderful God. But life places demands on us. Each month before I do anything, I have to think about all these things.. a mortgage, electricity, oil, diesel for my car, house insurance, life insurance, phone bill, tv liscence, internet, food, car tax and the list goes on and on and on...

It is as if life does everything it can to lead us into a place of being settled. If I decide that this is the path my life will take then I just need to keep the pay cheques ticking over for the next 28 years or something like that. After that... I will own a house!!

No wonder Solomon, who had everything got freaked out and exclaimed, "meaningless, meaningless everything is meaningless." or a bit more accurately.. (from Ecclesiastes)

1 The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem:

2 "Meaningless! Meaningless!"
says the Teacher.
"Utterly meaningless!
Everything is meaningless."

3 What does man gain from all his labor
at which he toils under the sun?

4 Generations come and generations go,
but the earth remains forever.

5 The sun rises and the sun sets,
and hurries back to where it rises.

6 The wind blows to the south
and turns to the north;
round and round it goes,
ever returning on its course.

7 All streams flow into the sea,
yet the sea is never full.
To the place the streams come from,
there they return again.

8 All things are wearisome,
more than one can say.
The eye never has enough of seeing,
nor the ear its fill of hearing.

9 What has been will be again,
what has been done will be done again;
there is nothing new under the sun.

Throw into the mix that our homegroup is doing a study on John Piper's book 'Don't Waste Your Life!' In which the author essentially challenges the readers with the reality of presenting our life and ministry to Jesus Christ on the final day. He jokes about the scandal of saying 'Lord, my handicap is a 3, or check out my shell collection'

So I am asking a lot of questions but I think I know the aim of these. I want life, I want it to the full. I don't want it to waste it. No practice run, one life and I want it to count. I guess I want to get to heaven and meet lots of friends who are their because God in some small way connected me with them and with Him. I don't want to go half way and then settle.. and die!

I have been a Christian for 10 years. I have made many mistakes. I have experienced many blessings. I have known what is it like to have plenty and to have nothing. I have loved God and I have loved people and at times I have been disappointed by both and also disappointed both. But in these ten years one thing has stayed the same, this passionate desire deep in my heart to make my one life count for the glory of God.

A great night out

I'm back

The guys from The Hub at Worship

Praying

Preaching

In Banff, so sweet

So Calgary was awesome. Made some great friends, got some new Facebook buddies, preached some half decent stuff, got to experience sitting in a hot tub outside at -25, with my hair being frozen solid, downhill tubing in the most amazing snow I have ever seen. Got connected with a great church, some exciting guys who are coming over to NI next summer to do some mission stuff and also spent some quality time with God and wee Pete. Glad to be back with Rebecca although already missing Canada.

Ministry Update

Just keeping the praying people updated with some ministry stuff I am currently involved in.
Heading to Calgary in Canada next week to speak at an Young Adults Conference. Please pray for safe travel for Pete Morrison and I, also as I prepare my messages. Pray for our friends Pastor Ken and Kathy Castor, Kathy is sick at the moment and needs a real touch from God.This weekend is a busy weekend. YFC are in Bangor having a Mannafest at Bangor Elim. Stevie P (me and big man taking Mannafest at Exodus, Coleraine pictured below) is preaching, Cheryl's Drama Team (Dromore YFC) are taking part and Pete Morrison's Band are leading worship. Looking forward to it, will be good to be on the front line again.
Then this Sunday night is Ignite the Flame. It has been amazing to be involved in the bringing about of this event. YFC, Summer Madness, Exodus, GB, BB, PCI Youth and a few other agencies have been working alongside the Billy Graham Association and EA to put on this Youth Prayer Event in the run up to the Franklin Graham Crusade in April. We have 2350 young people coming to the Waterfront Hall for an evening of worship and prayer. Should be a blast. I am on stage for about 5 or 10 minutes talking about the Gravity Courses that are happening across the province in March.
The other big thing I am working on at the moment is a Youth for Christ Fundraiser. It is is our annual Corporate Dinner. On February 25th at The Culloden Hotel. Last year this event raised around £20,000 for the ministry. Might as well use this wee opportunity to ask if anyone would like to either purchase a table or join in one of my tables. Thanks for reading... and praying.

Heading into 2008

OK so I have had sometime to think about 2008, you know, my dreams, fears, goals etc. If I am honest I am slightly anxious about this incoming year. 2007 was a year of immense challenge! In my own life, in YFC, in my homegroup, in my church and at times I didnt think I was going to get through it. I have learned again the glory of Jesus' grace, the sufficiency of Jesus' mercy and His perfect strength in my weakness, but if I am really honest I am really tender still. I feel a little bit like a ship reaching a harbour after a a rough sea crossing. It is now safe, but the sails are torn and there is little supply on board. I want to be really excited about the potential of a new year, I want to have lots of vision, passion for the lost and most of all I want to be on fire for God... the reality is I am tired, disillusioned, flat and empty. I had hoped that I would have got a good rest over the holidays but my time has been used up at family meals and catching up with friends, which has been amazing, but with the result that I don't think I have caught up with myself.
I have been in this place many times before, it seems to go hand in hand with the type of life I live. My good friend Malcolm J describes me as two people who live in one body. A visionary leader, a passionate evangelist, a preacher and at the same time a lost little boy trying to figure out his journey.
I am throwing this blog open, I would love to hear from people who go through times like this.

Youth for Christ

Had a new logo designed for our ministry in Youth for Christ. I wanted something that communicated the heart of our ministry. Reaching: evangelism and local centre ministry at the heart of communities. Serving: serving local communities, local schools and local churches, through people and programmes. Resourcing: giving people the tools and resources to effectively minister to young people in a dynamic and relevent way.

The next step is a new web site. We hope to have this developed in the next couple of months. Does anyone have any good ideas or know any good web designers?

My ugly mug..

I had to appear on this video, it's a bit cheesy but I did enjoy being involved in the planning and scripting. The idea was to try and be true to the youth culture here in NI as we try to promote the visit of Franklin Graham in April. I was told to be dynamic and passionate, but then they just stuck my head in! I look like a moving target!

Bored over Christmas?

Just incase you get bored over the festive period, you might want to take a wee trip up to Exodus in Coleraine and join the Mannafest Team with special guests Reedstar. I'm excited about this event! Most of the guys in Reedstar are part of my Friday night Cell Group and I am a big fan!
Hopefully see you there.

I am so small!

I was preaching on Saturday night at an event called 'Ireland's Call' It was an outreach event with Andrew Trimble as the Celeb and me as the annoying preacher. For those of you reading across the pond, Andrew is a big time Ulster and Ireland Rugby Star. It was a great wee night. I think about 300 young people came along. The programme was packed with fun, games, prizes and a pretty good presentation of Jesus, through story, music, testimony and preaching. I had the amazing opportunity of ministering to one young lady who had an amazing encounter with the Holy Spirit during the appeal. In a grace moment, the Spirit gently came into her life and heart. It was so cool praying with her alongside her combination of tears and laughter. God is good. Fair play to Andrew who handles being a celebrity really well. He had queues of people coming to see him for autographs and pictures and yet he stays pretty humble and down to earth. Needless to say I just slipped out without anyone even noticing I was gone. Good times.

The Way: Lisburn Youth for Christ

Really excited! This week brings the official opening of YFC's newest ministry. Lisburn Youth for Christ, formed only a matter of months ago are hosting the official opening and commissioning of The Way, Drop in Centre this Friday night. The Way is in the Longstone. An extremely broken, deprived community in the city of Lisburn. I guess I am posting on this to ask for prayer for the Board, Volunteers and Young People in Lisburn. If anyone would like to get more involved, help, support, pray whatever either give me an email steven.mccready@yfcni.org or get in touch with Tim McAlister, my mate who has been pioneering this work with some other amazing guys like Dennis and Dinger. His email is tim.caz@breathe.com

Blind Skiing

One of the fastest growing sports among the disabled community is blind skiing. Amazing. I did a little bit of research on it and discovered that there are two levels of competition, fully blind and partially blind. I want to talk a little bit about partially blind skiing.

In a way we Christians are partially blind, listen to what Paul writes in Corinthians

"For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." 1 Corinthians 13: 9-12

When I learned about partially blind skiing I was amazed at how much it is similar to the Christian life. In Partial Blind Skiing, the Ski Guide goes before the competitor. He is ahead, first, leading the way. There is always the potential of a huge crash so this is what the blind person must to..

1. Stay as close to the guide as possible. They can only see the shadow of the guide but that is enough, they chase the shadow of the guide.


2. They must trust in the voice of the guide, they are completely dependent upon the ability, character and expertise of the guide.


3. They must be responsive to the guides directions. If the guide says left, it's non negotiable.

I have thought a lot of the parallels between being a partially blind skier and following Jesus. My mind goes to John 10, when Jesus says, my sheep know my voice. The middle eastern shepherd went out in front of his flock and then called them to himself. The flock recognised the shepherds voice and moved in that direction.

King David had this relationship with God, he was like a partially blind skier in a land with no snow and probably no skiing!

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Something you didn't know about me!

I love country music. Can't help it. It's a nature vs nurture thing. I was brought up listening to Garth Brooks and the likes and so now I have a secret love of Country Music. This week the CMAs were on and they were amazing. I think I love country music because the songs tell stories. Anyway Rascal Flatts got the award for Country Group of the Year. They are really good. I like this wee song. Oh, don't tell anyone. I am not ready to come out yet as a lover of Country!

Stuck in Porn

Tuesday 20th November: XXX Church, YFC & EA, with Worship led by BlueTree

Should be a fantastic night exploring the whole area of Porn and the effect it has on our lives.

It's at Bangor Elim Conference Centre and it's only 6 quid in.

Be there and be challenged.

Youth for Christ Update

So lots of people have been calling me and emailing me having heard bits and bobs about some changes happening at Youth for Christ. I am going to be sending out a prayer letter in the next couple of weeks, if you would like to be added to my mailing list you could drop me an email either with your address or email address and I will make sure you get the full update. My email address is steven.mccready@yfcni.org

Anyway, financially Youth for Christ are getting it tight at the minute. Our finances have forced our Board into beginning a staff restructure. This has been a very difficult and challenging process and we are trusting God everyday for grace and guidance.

Personally this has been the most difficult and trying time in my life. It is stressful and heartbreaking. I am finding myself in a state of prayer more than I have ever been in my faith journey over the past ten years.

Please pray for us as we walk through this transition.

For me it is back to the drawing board to find prayer and finance partners. I am trying to raise 100% of my ministry costs (salary, travel expenses, resources etc) I am currently around 40% with a some new people joining my amazing band of supporters and ministry partners.
Maybe you would like to get alongside me and support both me but also the ministry of Youth for Christ. If so get in touch, any small amount would be amazing. I have some young people who give me just a couple of pounds a month to some business men who support me and yet hardly even know me.

Over the past month I have worn so many hats, I have been back preaching again, at Newcastle Baptist, the Crescent, Scrabo Hall, tomorrow night at True and this coming Sunday at Castlereagh Gospel Hall. I have been in countless staff meetings, meetings with lawyers, meetings with film makers. It has been a strange month but in the middle of it all I feel like I am growing close to Jesus, the reason behind it all. I have found myself loving the Cross and understanding more of Jesus Kingdom and it's relevence in my life. I am tired however to please keep me, Bec and YFC in your prayers. Thanks so much.