The other day I got an email from a youth pastor who came to our program last summer. His newborn son was in the hospital, and he wanted to ask for prayer. A few weeks back my family and I were invited over to a youth pastors home for supper. After speaking the past two summers at our program, this guy has become a great friend. The same youth pastor let me in on a great hot dog stand in Salem here that no one knows about, as well as “made a few calls” to get my son into flag football after we signed up to late. Just the other week, after having a billion cups of coffee with another youth pastor, he opened his life to me and asked if I could meet with him weekly to hold him accountable and for fellowship. This January, I am going duck hunting with another youth pastor. Got invited to go extreme mountain biking with another. Passed on that one. Why do I share all this? Because I think it is a testimony to how awesome God is and how much relationship has to be a part of our MA programs. It is a beautiful thing when we step from just offering youth pastors a program, to when we offer them true friendship, and shoulders to lean on when needed. I love the youth pastors here in Salem. They are doing a great job in reaching this city. I love the fact that MA allows me to get to know so many of them on a deeper level than just another email. Relationships my MA friends is the key to ministry. Get to know the youth pastors in your city. Take them out for coffee. Buy them lunch. Hear their stories. We can learn a lot from them, and in the process, forge priceless friendships, and get crazy doors of opportunities opened up to us.