(taped by phone 07/27/07)

BIO: Tom is the Director of the Center for Ministry Development, Project Coordinator for Youth Ministry Services, and Coordinator of the Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies Program which is held in North America and. . . Ireland. Tom holds a Master of Arts degree in Religious Studies from Mount St. Mary’s College in Los Angeles. Tom served as editor and author for many books, including Effective Practices for Dynamic Youth Ministry

QUOTE TO NOTE: When we say that we are empowering young people to live as disciples, I think our job is, in some ways, to be without an agenda, to offer a mentoring ministry.  When I was first working in campus ministry on a college setting, part of our goal was to “loiter with intent” We are a non-anxious presence that young people can come to.

OBSCURE FACTOID: Center for Ministry Development does not have all their staff living in the same neighborhood.  They really do have a national staff operating from many corners of the country.

BEHIND THE SCENES: Tom agreed to schedule the call after we were both scheduled to attend a phone conference call. We started off the call discussing the Fashion Me a People conference.  AND, we have new bumper music.

BLOG REFLECTION: can be read here for August 1st.