Great Starts

Of all the blogs I've ever had, I've never started one with purpose. My hope is that I can take my advice of the late, great (wait no...that mean's he passed away? just 'great')...the great Joey Phillips when he said "you should blog funny crap that happens at youth group". That's a paraphrased quote...but I know that's what he meant.

So let me just tell you a little story to start this off -- 

My name is Katie Kavanaugh, 23 years old in Savannah, GA. Felt called into youth ministry at 16 and have held true to that ever since. I think I'm pretty blessed because I know a lot of people have had to abandon or change their dreams, and even when mine seemed unrealistic, God followed through. I'm pretty pumped about that. My goal was to stay close to home and God provided a job for me at a church just an hour a way in a city that I am already extremely familiar with. I spent four years volunteering at a church downtown (hey Christ Church, what up) and those four years provided enough memories and guidance to last a lifetime. These kids do not suck...in fact, they're kind of amazing:

Throughout the time that I've been a Christian, I've had a lot of ups and downs. I left my home church and eventually went back and God taught me a lot about healing. I left Christ Church last summer and went back to Cross, where I got to spend a year with my amazing church family. I think taking a year off of youth ministry is exactly what I needed to realize how passionate I am about my calling. But in the meantime I got to spend a year with these guys (don't get too jealous): 

I've had the same mentors/youth directors the whole time. Meet Joey and Heather (also pictured? my awesome godson): 

They are intense...and I promise you, no one loves youth ministry more than they do. They tend to gain a tiny bit of a following from every church they've been at and they seem to connect us all. For instance, I would have never volunteered/interned with CCSM had they not connected me. 

Ok so the cool thing about them is they have always been committed to making sure I'm suuuuuper discipled. I'm grateful for that. Had Joey not forced me, I would have never created my small group. 

(I hate this photo because everyone dressed up and I went to the beach, but oh well...check out these hotties):

These ladies are amazing and I'm not sure where I would be without their accountability. They are proof that God really does work all things for the good of those who love Him (love me some Romans 8:28).

Ok, that being said...I have been at my new church/home for about 6 weeks and so far it's pretty great :) I will be working mostly with middle school ministry while also working with high school girls. God has also called Mackay to continue working here (he's pretty cool...except for the snot bubbles. I'm sure he'll be involved in a lot of these stories):

Well, I think that's all you need to know initially. I think this blog will mostly be for me. I want to be able to look back at memories and moments that have happened. I also hope to post articles and links related to youth ministry in general.