Maschmeyer

I am a Christ-follower. I am married to Anna and have three amazing daughters (Emerie, Mourlea and Sophie). I am the Youth Pastor at Sullivan First Assembly. On the side I do graphic design and web design / development. var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-37339954-1']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();

[michaelmaschmeyer]

So true. So thankful for the people who have encouraged me toward becoming a better leader. #neverstoplearning @anniemasch @drjonspence @dpoe32 @hdpoe @bradlykeller

[michaelmaschmeyer]

Summertime

It’s that time of year again. The schools have released most of their captives and the sun draws a little too close for my freckle-spattered skin. This is one of the best times of the year for me as a youth pastor and father, because I love spending time with students and my little girls. One of the best ways I get to spend time with both is also the most important event that of the year, CAMP. I love that I still go to the same camp I went to as an 8yo kid. Each year when I go back, God reminds me of what He did in my life, and what He told me about my future. 

One year at camp, when I was 13, I had everything go wrong. I was hurt multiple times and was  begging to go home before I got hurt worse. My leader asked me to just make to the end of the week and trust that God wanted to do something in me. Against my better judgment, I stayed and was hurt a few more times. By the time we got to Thursday, I had nothing left, nothing but a desire to go home. Again, my leader reminded me to just give what I had left to God, which was nothing, and expect God to speak to me. During preservice prayer, I remember walking down front with the thought, “Here we go again. I’ll give you one more shot God.” That moment became the most important moment in my life, outside of salvation, because I encountered God. That is the moment I was baptized in the Holy Spirit and called into youth ministry.

Every year I go back, I like to show my girls the spot where God changed everything for me. I tell them that God can change them too. Never underestimate the value of a little time alone with God. Camp is a great way to enter into an environment that points everything to God. It turns off all of the tech distractions and connects people with people and people with Christ. If you do anything this year, send a student to camp. It could be the year that God changes everything for that student. Expect God to go beyond what He has done before, and He will.

[michaelmaschmeyer]

Nothing but opportunity. Ready for summer. (at Sullivan First Assembly)

[michaelmaschmeyer]

Way too long.

Hopping on the site today made me realize that it has been far too long since I posted last. I'm planning to start writing more often, so I don't loose all i learned in school and so I have a place to go back to and look at what God is doing in and through me.

On this blog I intend to write about family, faith, ministry, books, resources, music, and whatever else comes to mind. I want to share what is going on in me and around me. 

[michaelmaschmeyer]

As Cities Burn. #vscocam #afterglow

[michaelmaschmeyer]

Roots #vscocam #afterglow (at Ozark)

[michaelmaschmeyer]

Death Cab for Cutie #vscocam #afterglow

[michaelmaschmeyer]

2012 was a great year for the @jrachurch app. I'm excited to see what 2013 brings. at James River Assembly by Michael Maschmeyer on EyeEm

[michaelmaschmeyer]

Jesus.

Point people to Jesus, encourage them to follow Jesus and Jesus will change their hearts. Its all about Jesus.

[michaelmaschmeyer]

I love that I get to be a part of what God is doing @jrachurch. #jralife at James River Assembly by Michael Maschmeyer on EyeEm

[michaelmaschmeyer]

Look who's one today. #lovethiskid at Home by Michael Maschmeyer on EyeEm

[michaelmaschmeyer]

Opportunity. at James River Assembly by Michael Maschmeyer on EyeEm

[michaelmaschmeyer]

"... imitation occurs when we don't have a purpose for what we are doing."

Barton Damer

[michaelmaschmeyer]

When people claim a leader is too demanding & controlling, sometimes it's true. Other times, it's code for: "I'm lazy & disobedient."

Steven Furtick @stevenfurtick

[michaelmaschmeyer]

Personal Branding: Tips for New Grads

Personal branding is how you’re perceived: on social media, in your community, at school, at work, and by your colleagues and peers.

[michaelmaschmeyer]

God is most glorified in you when you are most satisfied in Him in the midst of loss, not prosperity.

John Piper @johnpiper

[michaelmaschmeyer]

9 Tips for Teaching Students

Here is a great post from The Resurgence. There are some really good tips in here about teaching students. Some of the tips will have to vary due to group size, but overall, it is a solid post.