Welcome to the Mighty Men Training Institute

8 months ago I sat in my church, listening to the music and occasionally clapping my hands along. The music wasn't the slow drone of hymns but rather in comparison to something you'd hear from a Steven Curtis Chapman or some other adult contemporary artist. I looked over at the section of the youth in the church. My church takes pride in the youth following they have and they should. They have separate programs and such that really are more in tune with them. However, during the main service's music some were robotically clapping their hands, some just standing there staring ahead, and others looking around probably wondering if they would get caught bringing in their iPod next week.

 Don't get me wrong, it's not bad music. But it's not the music that Christian youths are listening to. There are so many hard rocking, hip hopping, head banging, lyrically smooth artists in today's modern Christian music landscape. Bands like Skillet, Thousand Foot Krutch, Red, Gritz, George Moss, Toby Mac, and others are all spreading the word of God and doing it with music that touches today's youth. 

 So, those two paragraphs really simply lead to this point. As a looked at them, I felt a nudge. A spiritual nudge. Kind of like God just going, "Hey, you see that?" I turned, looked, and went "Yea." End of discussion. Someone kick my butt. 

 Fast forward to three months ago. I'm working (as I do every Sunday now) but get the blessing of taking a few of the resident's to a church in South Haven.  As I sat and the music played my mind began to wander. I now think it just stepped out to answer the call God just placed. Because as I sit there for no reason I started to think of that time 8 months ago. Then it hit me, or rather, he was tired of waiting for me, became rather blunt about it and told me, "You should start a myspace for Christians youth around the world. A place where they can talk about music, movies. A place where they can come for advice. A place on the internet where they can come together and congregate." So thought about it, nodded, and went "Yea." End of discussion. Someone kick my butt.

 So for 3 months there was a small battle in my head. God on one side nudging me and simply going "Do it. Stop waiting." And the voices on the other side going "It's a waste of time. It's going to fail. No one will care. It won't matter. You'll look like a fool." End of discussion. Someone kick my butt. 

Last Sunday, got a few of the residents at church again. Sitting on the bench, monitoring them, listening to the music I get another call. Brain steps out for a second, "Hello?" It's the big G. "You've waited long enough. It's time. It's going to be great. Get started ASAP. Oh and I want you to focus on reaching out to help these kids. Change some lives." So I say "I'm going to do it." End of discussion. Hey, put that foot away. My butt's sore enough already. I got the point this time. 

Monday night a get the layout together, write the mission statement, get everything ready. Here is what's posted on the top of our profile.

Our mission is to provide young Christian's a place of solace on the internet. We offer God's youth someone to reach out to in their time of need. Whatever struggles you may be having, if you need advice, someone to listen or someone to just talk to Christian Youth Crew is here for you. To offer the chance for young Christian's to congregate and talk about all of the things that effect their lives ie: God, family, friends, music, movies, etc. This is the place for teenage and young adult Christian's to come together and grow under God's word.

 So...

Tuesday morning the Christian Youth Crew went live on Myspace. I hit the Thousand Foot Krutch profile, scroll to their comments sections and I'm sending friends requests to everyone I see that has left them a comment. Sent over 150 or so friend requests. 

 Today is Monday. It's been 6 days. We have 115 friends. AT LEAST 40 of those are from people telling their friends about us and those friends finding us to add us. We've gotten 24 general profile comments, we've already received 3 emails asking for help, we've answered those and placed them in our blogs, we have 176 blog views, 6 blog comments, and a private IM chat Satuday night with someone struggling with her faith, depression and whether or not if her faith and life is all for nothing. We were able to touch her. 

It's been AMAZING. I finally listened and the impact we are having is astounding. Not only that but the blessings in my own personal life are multiplying. The impact we are already having in people's lives are amazing. To let you know even part of the impact we are having, we had a young girl email us for help, we posted our reply in the blog and this was the email she sent us in responce to that:

  Oh my gosh. Thank you soo much. That really touched my heart. It even made me break down and cry :) I feel much better now. And again thank you SO much.
I'll be praying for you while you continue to help others like you helped me. That was such a blessing.
Be blessed
-Amy

That alone let's me know I'm on the right path. That alone let's me know that I've found part of my calling. It's been an amazing 6 days and I really wanted to reach out and let the Mighty Men know. Because without YOUR help, without Michael Small being one of those feet kicking me in the butt, pushing me to do greater things in life, I'm not sure the CYC would exist yet and I wouldn't be reaping the blessings in my own life. So I'm here to thank you all.