Last night I was able to do one of the great privileges of ministry, I married two of my former youth group students from a few years ago. I stood up there with them last night and was like a dad who could not have been more proud. To see this young woman and this young man who have pursued God with all of their heart and in that pursuit found each other just thrilled my heart. They love Jesus, are deeply committed to one another, love people and their lives are shining examples of what I have been pouring my life out for. I've been in full time youth ministry for 15 years and early on I realized I would not truly know how successful I was as a youth pastor for years to come. John 15:16 says we are called to not only bear fruit but to bear fruit that remains. My goal as a youth pastor was not just to get youth through their teenage years but to give youth a foundation for a lifetime of devotion and passionate commitment to Jesus. I want to be able to see those youth in 30 years and I want them to look me in the eye and say, "Banning, I'm more on fire for Jesus today then I've ever been. I'm more in love with Jesus then ever before. More people are getting saved, healed, and delivered then ever before. I'm plugged into a local church and changing the

Wow, wow, wow! What a crazy summer it’s already been. Busy but incredible. We’ve been to Dallas, Atlanta, and Redding. As well, I’ve spent ten days in Maui with my family and a few days with Paul Goulet in Las Vegas at his Holy Spirit Conference. I could not be more encouraged by all that God did and is doing. We recorded our latest annual CD/DVD at this last Jesus Culture Redding. It was some of the most amazing times of worship I’ve ever been in. Kim Walker Smith, Chris Quilala, and our band just tore it up. The Presence of God was so strong in the meetings and the hunger and passion of youth and young adults was off the charts. It never gets old seeing them give themselves fully to Jesus in worship.

One of the amazing things that happens through the conferences is not just what occurs in the meetings or on the streets but the testimonies that roll in after the gathering. For months and sometimes years I hear about how what God did in one of the conferences is still bearing fruit in people’s lives. So I thought I would share two quick testimonies from something that happened with a youth group after Jesus Culture Atlanta and one that happened during Jesus Culture Redding. Enjoy!

This was sent to me from a youth pastor in North Carolina:

I wanted to share quickly about our service following Jesus Culture in Atlanta. I have been longing for