Jason Bedell Online

So last night I met Mike. He wandered into our mid-week service and needed a place to stay until he could talk with his PO (parole officer) in the morning. I started making phone calls to 10+ shelters who all said the same thing, "All full, but he can try again tomorrow."

Reached the Union Mission and they informed me if a police officer brings him there, they have to take him. So I called local police, they came... then the guy informs me he isn't obligated to take Mike anywhere and I should basically figure it out on my own.

After more dead ends we finally reached a lady at the Salvation Army Shelter who would make an exception. She was amazing, Mike is getting a place to stay and help. "Operation Mike Needs A Place To Crash" taught me some lessons:

- the officer who responded needs to take out the "serve" in "protect and SERVE"
- shelters need later hours
- Mike's rap at dinner was better than most MC's I listen to
- we need more shelters in hampton roads
- the system is tough (especially under Mike's circumstances)
- 50 Cent is not a role model (Mike disagreed with me)
- I'm glad there is a Tuesday night service in a bar
- Stoked God allows me to be a part of it
- God thank you for the roof, job, wife and life circumstances
- Please look after Mike, he's a good dude

Until next time... spread the love.

J-del **over and out**

The guys from Churchy Media did a highlight/review of Vince's book. Check out the video:


Short Takes, Take 3 - Lousy Tshirt from Churchy Media on Vimeo.

"Who all see the Leprechaun say, 'Yeah!'" (YEAH!)

"I'm gonna rent a back ho' and uproot dat tree. I wanna know where da' gold at?! I want the gold."

"Could be a crackhead who got a hold of the wrong stuff, and told him to get up in a tree a play a Leprechaun."

So to open up my talk in the first session, I created a video where we started in silence, but it looked as though I was typing on the computer. I used it to demonstrate the power of silence in our lives and when we hear God the most is when the chaos is past and we're alone with him. Got some good comments and feedback from it and it took about 1 1/2 with just text and getting all the dates.

Below is a screen shot of the stage effect and the video we used as I typed. Stole the concept from Loui Giglio's "Life Interrupted" series. Check it out.

So the conference was an absolute blast. The people over at SMOV did an outstanding job and I couldn't have been more blown away by how the conference went off in the eyes of the students and adults in attendance. Greg (the conference president), Issac Improv and Aaron Pelsue Band did a great job (much props). The students raised over $2000 for a camp, collected TONS of supplies for them during their lunch break, and quite a few students made decisions over the weekend.

A photographer was there grabbing shots and was nice enough to float a few my way. I will have a post soon on a creative idea you should totally try at your church. Until then, enjoy these shot from the conference.

Tally Wilgis stopped by our video venue campus and had some great things to say about FF. Tally is the teaching pastor at Focal Point Church in Chesapeake, VA. Much props to our team out there in Chesapeake who keep the campus on point every week.