Oddwalk Ministries

Category: YSP

Sometimes the Children Lead

Job 32:9 reads: “It is not those of many days who are wise, nor the aged who understand the right.”  Elihu, the son of one of Job’s three friends, is upset that his father and the other two have not adequately answered Job’s complaints nor have they condemned Job’s considering himself to be in the right rather than God Almighty.  So, it takes a child to point out the obvious — and sometimes this is still the case today.

Shannon wrote last week about Youth Sing Praise, at which I (Orin) was, on staff as assistant music director and accompanist, and also assisted at prayer.  Additionally, Youth Sing Praise Jr., a one day program for 6-7-8th graders met just on Saturday and prepared and sang that night a song from a musical I co-wrote for YSP a few years ago with my friend Bradley Behrmann.  While the song, “Why Must There Always Be Someone to Hate?” is sung in the show by Uncle Mordechai, the hero of the show is his niece, Queen Esther, herself likely little more than a teenager, saving the Jewish people from the first recorded attempt to exterminate them.

One of the reasons I remain active in various efforts at youth ministry is what I learn from them, particularly about my faith and, simply, how to just get along in the world.  May we all be willing, at times, to let the children lead and teach!

Without further ado, here’s the video of Saturday’s performance, shot by proud dad Shannon, who had two children in the group, including Noah, Godson of me and my wife, who solos on the first line of the song as well as a little later on. Enjoy!

Musical Theater Jesus Camp = YSP


When I (Orin) and some others need to quickly describe Youth Sing Praise (YSP) to those who know nothing about it, we often call it a “Musical Theater Jesus Camp.”

More elaborately, it’s an 8-day period where high schoolers gather to both mount a production of a faith-based musical and take part in a retreat based on that show. This year that show is the 2012 revival of Godspell.

Pictured here are the campers and staff gathered at Mass Saturday night. It’s hard for me to think of any community that more embodies “We are many parts, we are all one body” than does YSP. Christ is present here in community, with varied gifts of music, acting, dancing, and more, and through the evangelization that the show allows the cast to do, Christ is again present in word, song, and actions.

I hope you can all come to the free performance this Saturday night, 7pm, at Our Lady of the Snows. I’ll be the guy playing piano in support of these amazing teens. I will personally guarantee you will not be disappointed you came.

Visit: youthsingpraise.com

Blueprints: Summer Youth Ministry

This afternoon, Orin was a panelist on a webinar put on by http://www.rebuildmychurch.org on the topic of summer youth ministry – ideas, camps, programs, etc.  It was a good discussion, with lots of great ideas and insights.  Here’s the video of the webinar if you want to see what you missed live:

 



 

 

Orin mentioned by name two camps: http://youthsingpraise.com and http://youngneighbors.org – check them out for quality ministry programs over the summer! Thanks to our hosts for the good work!

Youth Sing Praise 2011

All, here’s a video of the Youth Sing Praise camp Orin helps with (and Shannon has in the past too). 2011 was a great year – enjoy the remarks on the program, the spirituality, the rehearsals and the show, from staff, ministers and youth alike! Also, it’s a rare chance to see Orin in a…