What's Next?

Last week (before Christmas) I spent several days in Minnesota preparing for when I more permanently move there in January. Workshops, meetings, and catch up times were all essential to what will be coming next. To share more on what's next for me I worked with my friend to create a video.

Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaXlC0dZDK0

If you are interested in supporting Tentmakers so that I can be fully invested in what I will be doing that would be amazing! There are a few different ways you can do this. You can send a check to P.O. Box 84 Chanhassen Mn 55317 and make a note that it is for me. Or you can also visit www.tentm.org and donate online. If you would consider becoming a monthly supporter that would also be fantastic. Thank you for joining my team!  

As I go forward I want to continue to keep you in the loop of all that will be going on. Whether it be video updates, blog updates, or Facebook updates I want to make it my goal to keep you informed on what I will be doing over the next few months.

Thank you once again,
Charlie

-a picture from my trip up to Chanhassen.

Young Daniel Year Summary

Well look at that snow! Overnight we transitioned here in Wisconsin from fall to winter.

I am excited to share with you a video I made with my talented friend Andy Evans. It gives a summary of my last year. What a year it was! I hope that this gives you a glimpse into what went on, and some of the key things that I learned over the course of the year. 

The video is linked here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LV4EI9aknAk

Within the next week I will be adding another video about what is coming up next. Some exciting things to be sure. 

As usual I would love to hear from you! What has God been doing in your life over the last year? As you reflect on it, what are some of things that you learned over the past year? 

Charlie

(608)217-6956

c.strange.27@gmail.com

Quick Czech Republic Video

It has been a busy few weeks, but I wanted to share a quick video I made about Leadership Quest. Leadership Quest is a several day, intensive leadership camp that has been happening for years up at Wilderness North in Minnesota. This year marked the first time it had been brought to another country. What a special opportunity!

Anyways, here is the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_YPlm45QoI

Hope you are doing well. If you have questions about how my trip went please feel free to email me c.strange.27@gmail.com or text me at (608)217-6956

The Czech Countdown Is Real!

Only four days until one of the biggest adventures of my life begins...

I just came out of a wonderful yet exhausting Change Retreat. The past couple days were spent in a camp environment on Lake Ripley. The days were spent in session, in music, and in some exciting games. We really dug deep into our Identity in Christ, in dreams for the future, and did some planning for the future. It was truly an excellent thing to do right before a mission trip.

Now everything is fully focused on getting ready to leave in four days. I would like to highlight something as well. My really good friend and fellow Young Daniel, Aaron Andrews is still in need of funding in order for him to join us in the Czech Republic. Aaron is a huge part of our team and there would be a very large gap in our team if he isn't able to make it.  Not to mention he would miss an amazing opportunity. I would appreciate if you would read this letter he wrote and consider helping him out. Thank you! https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6jfgGATsLBNZ2NWaVhQajdEaEU4TU56ZUx0TFc0NnY1VHc4/view?usp=sharing

That all being said here are a few ways to keep up to date with me while I am gone (besides this blog of course).
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004889687566
Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7sNYNTNGORdHryTx7g_tRg/videos
Email: c.strange.27@gmail.com

I will most not likely be available by text message or phone call. However, if you have an iPhone I should be able to iMessage on occasion.

I appreciate all of you and I hope that God will continue to bless each of you over the next coming weeks,
Charlie Strange

Video Update

Greetings!

I wanted to share a quick update with you all. I wanted to use a different medium, and I choose video.

Here is the link to the video: https://youtu.be/Xdfrf_aTYkw

As always please feel free to contact me at (609)217-6956 or c.strange.27@gmail.com
Charlie

April 2015 Update

Something I have enjoyed about writing this blog is the challenge of it. Attempting to pluck thoughts out of my brain and write them down is not something that always comes easy. When there are a lot of things going on, writing becomes even more of a challenge. Instead of trying to write out my thoughts at this time I would love tho share some of the things that I have been doing for fun recently. It is something that I have not touched on much and I figure some of you may be wondering about that. Here are three of the things I have been up to recently.

Cru
One of the ways I have really enjoyed being a part of in the past few months is a campus ministry called Cru. Cru is a ministry on most college campuses that strives to connect students to someone who has a personal relationship with Jesus. It is held on Tuesday nights in Whitewater and it has been a blessing getting to go on Tuesdays and to meet the many incredible people involved.

Music
Besides Young Daniel, music has been one of my largest commitments and time consumers of my time, and I love that.  I have had the chance to play at Living Word Fellowship, First United Methodist in Fort Atkinson (and once at their youth group), Crosspointe Trek Youth Group, East Troy Bible Church, Servant Community Church, as well as weekly at our Change! training meetings. Not only has this grown me as a musician, but it has been a blast!

Hiking
Often I say I don't like spring because of not being able to go outside because of the rain, but there is definitely a cabin fever that follows winter. To remedy that I have been going out and exploring God's creation with friends. There is something really special about going out and finding new places, and getting to share that experience with some friends.

Well there you have it! There are a few ways that I have been spending some of my free time recently. Do you have some ideas for me? Perhaps some good trails to explore? I would love to hear from you.

Charlie
c.strange.27@gmail.com
(608)217-6956

Whew!

Since the last time I updated this blog I have been in Kentucky, North Dakota (again), South Dakota, and Minnesota twice. Not to mention I leave for Texas in a few hours. That's why I named this blog entry "whew!"

It always seems as if Spring is a busy season for all, but I can't remember ever having a busier one than this one has been so far. To explain all that I have been up to would be a little crazy, and would take up too much of your time, so I will do my best to hit a few key topics.

The Young Daniel Whitewater team went down to Kentucky for a weekend to help and participate with the kickoff weekend of Kentucky's Change! chapter. Not only was it amazing to see good friends again, but to meet some of the first High School students to go through the Change! program was incredible. It seems like I have been talking to people for so long about the program without seeing it in action, but now I have!

I had the opportunity to take a trip to the Dakotas with Clint Elliot. The morning we were leaving I woke up with a nasty cold and almost did not go, but God worked through it all and with a lot of sleep and cough drops the weekend went very well. We had the opportunity to talk to and encourage a church located in Valley City, ND to make building up the next generation a priority! We used 1st Timothy 4:12 to illustrate a few ways to do that. It ended up that about 70 people came, which is one of the larger groups of people that I have ever talked to. A year ago I would not have been comfortable. God sure can use us in ways we never thought possible. Clint and I were also able to lead two Young Daniel workshops with Tim and Carol Huber.

Two weekends ago I was able to participate in the worship band at a new church to me. It was neat to see how different churches run things different, and of course I loved the opportunity to play some drums! The very same day I was also able to play drums at a local youth group. This youth group is a place I won't easily forget, they have created a welcoming community that is willing to talk about the hard things in life!

Last weekend a good friend of mine named Alek and myself ran sound for a High School choir tour. It is the same choir that I was a part of last year. We were in charge of driving ourselves there and setting up, running, and tearing down the entire sound system at each venue the choir performed at in Minnesota. It was a lot harder than I imagined it would be, but at the same time it was an incredible experience! I learned so much from Alek, and the little time I got to spend with my choir friends was also very enjoyable.

As I write this I have about 3 hours until I need to leave my apartment to meet up with about 45 other people who on their way to Texas! We will be spending a week about an hour south of Houston Texas on a mission trip. Work projects, community outreach, beach time, worship time, and even helping leading a devotional time are all things that I will experience this coming week!

What I love to hear now, is what have you been up to? How are you keeping busy this beautiful spring season? Feel free to get a hold of me!  Phone: (608)217-6956 Email: c.strange.27@gmail.com

In His Grace,
Charlie

Why in the world was I in North Dakota?!

After posting a few pictures on Facebook while in North Dakota, some people were left wondering why on earth I was even there. Let me tell you.

As many of you know I am apart of a Leadership program called Young Daniel. What many of you may NOT know is that this is also the first year of said program. In a nut shell I was in North Dakota to help spread the word about Tentmakers and Young Daniel.

On Friday (a week ago as I write this) we arrived in Valley City North Dakota. "We" consists of Clint Elliot (a Daniel leader) and Abbey Meyer (a fellow Young Daniel in Whitewater). "Arrival" consisted of Riverbend Farm, an ideal location for the weekend that was to follow. We met with Tim and Carol Huber and Terri LeGrand, all Daniel Leadership Institute graduates.

Here is a picture of the church that was on the location:

Friday evening about 20 or so people came to learn more about Tentmakers and Young Daniel. Clint, Abbey, and I had the opportunity to share the vision of Young Daniel and to also share some personal stories of how it has made an impact on us. It was really fantastic to see people get as excited as we are!

The following morning there was an Educators Breakfast focused on encouraging Christian teachers. Clint and Terri led a fantastic workshop that encouraged the teachers, and also gave them some powerful tools to use in their classrooms. This is a picture of that workshop:

Following that around lunch we were able to lead a Young Daniel workshop. Each workshop is special in its own way. So many new things are shared each time, so it is always really awesome to be a part of them.

That afternoon is when the "tourism began." All I need to do is show you this picture:

Now that's a buffalo monument if there ever was one.

Sunday morning Abbey and I had the chance to help Terri lead a Sunday school for middle and high schoolers. Clint was also able to talk to a mens group.

Before heading back to Wisconsin, a trip to visit Minnesota was in order. Getting to visit Dick Amundson (founder of Tentmakers) was not only fantastic but it was  much needed.

Well thanks for reading! I love to finish with a question so I will do that.

What's the craziest tourist location you have visited? Do you have a picture? I would love to hear from you.

Life Update!

I suppose its about time to give a little life update. I am honestly pretty terrible with this type of writing but I am going to give it a shot!

It is crazy to think that 2014 is already over, I am not entirely sure where it all went. Graduation and living on my own are easily two of the biggest things that have happened to me for awhile. Oh, not to mention being a part of a one year leadership program. God sure does surprise me sometimes!

December was a month where I could relax after a hard roofing job and refocus on Young Daniel and the Change! program. I also had the opportunity to spend some time with friends, family, and roommates over Christmas break.

So what is next? What does my day to day look like? The answers to those questions are not black and white by any means, but I will do my best.

What is Next? Owen, Abbey, Aaron, and myself are currently working through the process of discovering what is next. We are still searching for students who want to pioneer the Change! Chapter this year, as well as finding Change! and Young Daniel applicants for next years program. It is an interesting balance, but an exciting one. We are also helping to run an information workshop in Madison about Change! and Young Daniel at the end of the month (let me know if you would like details on that). I also will potentially travel to Minnesota and North Dakota later this month, although those details are still being worked out.

What does my day to day look like? Well I am sure the first thing most people would wonder about would be work. I am currently working on a new project with Abbey that aims to inform people about the Young Daniel program and its progress. That will entail a decent amount of writing, and acquiring the information for the articles. We are working together with some amazing friends of ours who live in the Dakotas. I am also striving to become better at communication, whether via this blog or in person. So I am attempting to write more consistently, and to take up reading again to get my brain thinking about new concepts and ideas. Many of you may not know that I started learning the acoustic guitar in August. I spend time each day working on that as well.

Thank you for reading this rather newsy post, and I hope that you made it to the end.

But what about you? What are you up to? What challenges are you facing? What books are you reading? I would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment on this post, email me at c.strange.27@gmail.com, or text me at 1(608)217-6956. Thank you again and I look forward to hearing from you very soon.

Being a Christian in a secular environment.

Sometimes people come up with the assumption that if you are a Christian and you need a job, you have to go into ministry. Often that does work out well, but I would like to tell you about my experience working in a secular environment.

When I took a job on a roofing crew I really had no idea what to expect. I had done little work on a roof, except on a mission trip. Day one Aaron and I hopped in the car earlier than we were used to even being awake. It wouldn't be long before we realized that would become our daily routine.

Over the next couple of weeks we worked from essentially sunup till past sundown. Lifting heavy things, doing odd jobs, picking up trash. Those are just a few things that we did.

Through it all I stuck out a little from my coworkers, but not in a bad way. I didn't swear (among others things) and they didn't give me grief about it. I met some amazing guys who had amazing work ethic and had learned a lot during their lives. It was awesome to learn so much from people I might not have normally even talked to.  I also had the chance to be a light, because people noticed that I didn't do things like swear. A couple times a coworker would even apologize for using a profane word. Not only that, but aaron and I even had the opportunity to have a few faith related discussions. God is so good!

What i just want to point out here, is that maybe when we compartmentalized our lives from our faith, we lose out on what God might be doing in your own workplace. Today I started reading a book called "Job-Shadowing Daniel" by Larry Peabody, and even in the opening pages I am excited to see that I am not the only person who thinks like this.

What I would like to ask you, is what you think? I would love to hear from you and we can keep the conversation going. My email is c.strange.27@gmail.com

Thank you for reading and I look forward to hearing from you soon.