Our friends at Interlinc want to give you something you will really like. Get a FREE ConGRADulations! Class of 2010 (gift for graduating seniors) CD by going to www.grad2010.com/free_grad. If you’d like to purchase more copies for your graduating seniors, that’s up to you, but you can get the first one free, no strings attached.

It is a low-cost but very impactful grad gift that includes a Music CD, Media DVD, and Grad Gift Book. The music portion contains 19 songs from the top names in Christian music including Skillet, tobyMac, Flyleaf, Relient K, Lecrae, and #1 iTunes Mainstream Band Owl City. The media DVD has a 1 hour video with artists, authors, speakers, fellow grad video greetings, advice, and more. It also includes a 48-page Grad Gift Book and a personalizable gift package and a ministry resource website (links about the upcoming transitions in their lives, graduation devotionals). There’s more information at www.grad2010.com.

Get your free ConGRADulations 2010 CD from Interlinc

———————————————————————-
Join us this Monday, March 15, for LIVE YM Talk! The live conversation starts at 2:00 PM eastern time! See our LIVE YM Talk page for details.

The folks at interlinc have been able to cultivate a very cool relationship with Adam from the band Owl City (if you haven’t heard of them, your students have – he was #1 on iTunes for weeks). I’m told Adam is a wonderful believer and is letting his music communicate his faith.

Free Bible study for Owl City music

Interlinc wants to share their digital introduction to Owl City (a letter from Adam to youth leaders and some song explanations) and a two-session Bible study guide to go along with two of Owl City’s songs, including “Fireflies” (you can listen to the song at the bottom of the page here).

Free music video DVD loop

Interlinc would also love to give you a copy of their Music Video Loop 68 DVD. It contains a ton of music videos and extras. They’ll send you the DVD completely free – no strings attached – they just want you to try and see what playing some good Christian music for you student can do. Just call 1-800-725-3300 and say “I want the free Music Video Loop 68 DVD.”

Check out the DVD contents here. It includes videos from Flyleaf, Skillet, Switchfoot, Britt Nicole, Hawk Nelson, KJ-52, and a lot more.

———————————————————————-
Join us for LIVE YM Talk this Monday, February 1! We’re discussing, “The need for theological questioning in youth ministry.” Our guest will be Jake Bouma. We’d love to have you join us! The live conversation starts at 2:00 PM eastern time! See our LIVE YM Talk page for details.

Interlinc just did something very cool – the latest Youth Leaders Only book is completely digital. And they’re giving it away as a Freebie Friday! It’s 104 pages of Bible studies, articles, (our music comparison chart), 16 worship song chord charts, and a ton more. Their theme this box is “Savvy Youth Ministry” – something I think we all can appreciate.

There is no sign-up form – just the digital book for you to use. You can even print it out and use it later! They are still working to make the music downloadable, but for now, the book is there.

You can check it out here:

“Savvy Youth Ministry” YLO – Fall 2009 issue

———————————————————————-
Today our featured guest is Josh Christian who will be leading us in a discussion about having and raising children in full time youth ministry. We’d love to have you call in and join our conversation at 2:00 PM Eastern time. See the LIVE YM Talk page for details on how to join the call and/or the live chat.

Two weeks ago I wrote that I was temporarily slowing down my blog postings to prepare for our first baby that’s due very soon and to give some extra attention to this season of transition in my own youth ministry.

I also mentioned that some major changes are coming to Life In Student Ministry. Much of the time I normally spend on generating content I’m using to work on that project instead.

Future vision for this site

Basically, this site will be relaunched on a new domain with a new design that will allow it to reach far more people than it currently does. More new youth workers will be able to connect to the Youth Ministry Mentorships, blessed by resources, content, videos and LIVE YM Talks. MinistryQuestions.com will receive a boost among other things, but perhaps best of all, it will no longer be branded around my name. I will remain the primary voice, but the community of youth workers who have surrounded this site over the past several years will become a bigger emphasis. I’m really excited about the possibilities of growing, learning and being challenged together!

As with most things, there’s a price tag for all of this. Life In Student Ministry has never charged for anything and it rarely asks for donations, but the vision I have in mind will cost about $8,500 (yikes!), which is why I anticipate doing it in stages as funds are available. The first stage costs $2,500 and would work best if it was reached within a week from today.

I have about $900 of personal funds to contribute (instead of buying a TV) and am more than happy to do so in order to bless you and your ministries, but I can’t do it by myself. I know your ministries can’t always get away with just giving away funds — that’s why several organizations have partnered with me to offer their products as thanks-yous for your donation to Life In Student Ministry.

$10 donation – Interlinc “Welcome to youth group” videos

Interlinc creates “drop in” videos of Christian music artists doing little promos like, “Go to camp,” or “Join the worship team.” They’re easy to drop in to PowerPoint announcements, iMovie, or burn to DVD.

For a donation of $10, Interlinc will send you

• 5 “Welcome To Youth Group” drop in videos by Christian music artists
• An article from their Youth Leader Only book titled, “An Old Guy’s Advice for Strategic Ministry”
• A great download Bible Study for a Kutless song

$25 donation – 36 Parables video from Youth Specialties

For a $25 donation, you receive both Interlinc’s gift above, plus a free download of a 36 Parables video, “The Car Lot,” from Youth Specialties.

If you like that video, check out the entire 36 Parables series!

And as an additional bonus for every Life In Student Ministry reader, regardless of if you donate or not, register for the 2009 National Youth Workers Convention, with coupon code LSMN09 to get a free convention t-shirt! The early-bird rate is good until August 14, 2009.

$50 donation – “One Month To Live” from Simply Youth Ministry

For a donation of $50, you receive Interlinc’s gift, Youth Specialties’ gift, and a free download of the 3-week sermon series, “One Month To Live,” from Simply Youth Ministry.

This series helps students identify the values that define them — while also shedding light on parts of their lives that may be holding them back from living for God. It covers topics like determining what matters most, deepening relationships, leaving a legacy.

$100 donation – 3 random ministry books

For a donation of $100 or more, you receive the 3 gifts above, plus I will mail you 3 random books from my ministry library.

(Limited to first 10 doners. 8 left.)

How to donate

Visit my ChipIn page to “chip in” and give securely online via PayPal. I will be in touch via email with links to download your gifts.

Contact me privately if you prefer to donate with a check instead of online.

Other donations

Any size gift is appreciated, whether it’s $10 or $1,000. Thank you!

Other ways to contribute

If you’re unable to donate or would like to contribute in a different way, consider building a website for your ministry through MinistryWebsites.biz or completing a referral for a free iPod Touch, iPhone, Xbox 360, Macbook, and more.