David Miller

So, here’s the challenge:

My first year as a student pastor I challenged my students to a prank war. I thought it would be a bonding experience. We started out small, toilet papering yards and saran-wrapping cars but our war quickly escalated …

Let’s just say it ended with a high school freshman pooping in a bag and hiding it in my car.

Not the way I thought it would end.

Have you ever thought something was a good idea, only to have it blow up in your face? Share your story:

The day following the devastating earthquake in Haiti a good friend called me as he was trying to organize  a trip to Haiti to help the disaster relief and rebuilding effort.  My first response was, “sign me up”.

We started with an effort to seek wisdom and contacts in Haiti, but were met with resistance.  Ultimately we were advised not to go because we would be more of  a strain than help until there was more structure in place to organize and house volunteers.

We were told to raise and send money…

so that’s what we’ve started to do.

Check out what Discovery Church is doing HERE.

But, since then I’ve seen christians like Mark Driscoll and representatives from other local churches in Haiti doing good.

Is one right and the other wrong?  Are they both right?

What do you think the response of the local church should be in Haiti?

As thElement Student Ministry we believe in “Bringing Hope To A School Campus”

For a student, their school campus is where they spend roughly 40 hours a week. It is where much of life happens. For some, that is a relief, but for others it is one thing they hate being reminded of. We believe that it is our role as the church to be a hope inspiring life force in/on these school campuses.

With this in mind we lined the walls with paper and challenged the students of thElement to write out their prayers for their schools.  It’s been inspiring to see their hearts.

What is your prayer for the school you or your students attend?

In a season where visible Christian leaders seem to continually put their foot in their mouths and make The Church a joke in the eyes of culture, it’s great to be reminded of how Rev. Martin Luther King Jr used his voice to inspire and bring about change in culture.

Here are just a few of my favorite quotes:

He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.

I just want to do God’s will. And he’s allowed me to go to the mountain. And I’ve looked over, and I’ve seen the promised land! I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the promised land.

Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’

The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: “If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?” But… the good Samaritan reversed the question: “If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?”

Two Questions:

1) What is your favorite MLK quote?

2) How are you using your voice to affect culture?

If you missed last year’s thElement In The City, here’s a look back at one of the most memorable nights of last year!

Are you ready for thElement In The City 2010?
Description: A night of worship, vision and teaching on the top of a parking garage in downtown Orlando. This is for all ages. Moms, dads, brothers, sisters and grandparents. Can’t wait to share this night with all of you.
When: Wed, January 27, 7-9pm
Where: 300 South Liberty; Orlando, FL 32801 – 5th Floor

I’ve become obsessed with the story of Jonah because it’s such a beautiful picture of God’s character.  In four chapters we see His grace as he offers the Ninevites an opportunity to repent. We see God pursuing Jonah as he runs from Him and how God rescues Jonah from death as he’s thrown into the sea.

As I was researching Jonah for a series thElement went through in October, I found this beautiful painting that brought the story off the Sunday School felt board.  

Recently, I meet Rob Jarrett, an amazing tattoo artist who is apart of the Discovery Church fam, and he drew up a beautiful sleeve for me based on the painting.

Below are some pictures of phase 1 (the outline without shading) taken with my phone.

Here is a short video Rob shot to get all the angles.

FYI: Phase 1 took 5.5 hours!

This tattoo will be an amazing reminder of God’s character.

Keep your eyes open for phase 2 of the tattoo

This is the video we played for thElement leader Christmas party of our students thanking their leaders.

Attention Student Ministry Volunteers: You are incredibly loved and we could never do this without you!