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Church forgives youth pastor for slaying
HOUSTON — The youth minister who confessed to a 1994 killing is being widely forgiven by members of his former congregation, who say they admire his courage in finally surrendering to police.
Calvin Wayne Inman, 29, remains jailed without bail since he was charged Wednesday with capital murder in the stabbing death of a convenience store clerk during a robbery. He was 16 at the time.
During Sunday’s service at the 800-member Elim Church, congregants praised the recently ordained Inman as a born-again role model taking responsibility for his sin.
“He’s a hero, really,” said Kelley Graham, 24. “I don’t know how many people would do what he did. The Bible says you just need to confess to God. Calvin took an extra step.”
Inman went to authorities on Feb. 5 and admitted that he stabbed Iqbal Ahmed, 64, nearly 14 years ago in suburban Pasadena. According to police, Inman said he and a 13-year-old friend planned to rob the convenience store. When Ahmed asked to see identification before giving them tobacco, Inman stabbed Ahmed in the chest with a kitchen knife, police said.
Inman resigned from the youth job in December.
“The debt he’s paying to our society is teaching our young people to do the right thing,” said Cheryl Ellis, a member of the church’s youth staff. “To lock him away someplace and say he owes it to society is robbing the next generation of a mentor.”
Robin Thac said her 17-year-old son was active in the youth group that Inman led.
“I am thrilled my son has a role model to accept responsibility the way Calvin has,” Thac said. “There are way too many men who don’t accept responsibility.”
Police have said Inman’s friend, now 28, has acknowledged being involved in the robbery but not the stabbing. Because of 1994 juvenile laws preventing prosecution of people 13 or younger, police said they could not charge the friend.

So this is my last week at Kentucky Heartland Outreach.  I am going to take next week off (one week of not vacation, but true unemployment.)   On March 10 I will start as the youth and collegiate pastor at Pleasant View Baptist Church in Waynesburg, KY.  Waynesburg is in Lincoln County.  The church is located on Hwy 27 (10 minutes from Stanford- 20 minutes from Somerset-55 minutes from lexington – 27 hours to Phoenix (not sure why this is important.)

I wanted you to know a few reasons why I felt like this is the church God was guiding us to.  In no specific order:

• Pastor Aaron Hogue-  I have just been amazed and impressed in who and what he is.  From the first meeting we had he has shown what a pastor needs to be and I am truly excited to serve on his staff.  He is powerful in the pulpit and is alot of fun to be around.  He is one year older than me and a graduate of Cumberland College (can’t win ‘em all.)  Before being pastor he worked for a parachurch organization (so he understands the transition I will be making.)
• Youth and College:  I will be over the youth and college (not children.)  I love children’s ministry, and believe it is as important as any other ministry in the church.  With that being said, I don’t think my gifts and skillsets fit it very well.  This position used to be Youth and Children, but they changed it just before they contacted me.  I could see God preparing a place for us there.
• The Youth :  The students are just a great group of young people who love the Lord and each other.  Just since I’ve been interviewing and meeting with them they have opened up and reached out to Carrie and me.  They have a strong group of student leaders who are really excited about serving our great God!
• The Youth Staff:  There are several adults who have worked with the youth through the interim period.  It has been over a year and the youth average about 40 students at their weekly meeting.  I am so excited to join and lead this amazing group.
• The area- This church is very close to my hometown.  Because of this I feel like I have  a good understanding of the culture and needs.
• The church staff-  The staff consists of the Senior Pastor, Worship Leader (Kerry Jones,) Co-Children’s Directors, Secretary, and me.  They all seem to be excited about their calling and what they do.  I haven’t spent a great deal of time with many of them, but I think it is going to be great.
• Salary package-  the church really blessed us here.  By no means is this “the main reason” we came here.  As a matter of fact we had no idea what the package would be until one of the final interviews.  With Carrie staying home with Lauren it is nice knowing we should be fine on the financial front.   It is also such a relief and encouragment to be at a church that takes care of it’s staff.
• The Main Reason-  God Called us, led us, and pointed us to this amazing group of believers.  Through his word, life circumstances, and in other ways God has made it very clear to Carrie and me that this is where He wants us. 

Question-  Do you feel like you are where you are supposed to be?  How did you know God was guiding you to the place where you are? 

Please comment

Many years ago a group of college students followed a vision to start a youth conference that would focus on helping youth get closer to Christ in a span of 24 hours.  Nine years later, we have just wrapped up the ninth annual event in Campbellsville, KY. 

It was a great weekend:

  Clay May was the event pastor

Broken was the lead worship band

Rachael Hurt led worship and performed some of her original songs

Joe and Dan did some comedy

Creative Ministry Groups from Campbellsville University, Immanuel Baptist, and First United Methodist Church of Lebanon.

 We had over 60 amazing college volunteers who led seminars, small groups, helped with the A/V side , etc.

 Over 400 people attended the event

At least 3 people met our Lord and Savior!  Several others made decisions for Christ and/or came for prayer

This years event was sponsored by Campbellsville University.  Having the event on campus was fantastic, and made everything even better.   I’ll post some pictures soon.

Thanks to all who helped make this event happen!

Perry’s Blog

Over the past few weeks I have been listening to Podcasts, reading books, blogs, etc on youth ministry.  I am trying to prepare myself to get back into youth/college ministry.  I came across an interesting survey that I had picked up at NYWC in 2003.    Please comment:

“What moves a kid from a fringe committment to Christ to a die-for-you committment?”

1. Participating in spiritual retreats          21.1%
2. A workcamp                                                 13.2%
3. A relationship with a Christian my age  10.4%
4. Worship                                                          8%
5. Prayer                                                              7.6%
6. A Bible study group                                     6.4%
7. A relationship with a Christian who is older  5.9%
8. Serving Others                                               5.9%
9. My relationship with my parents             5.4%
10. Sharing my faith with others                     5%
11. A discussion group                                       2.9%
12. A big event                                                       2.3%
13. Contemporary Christian Music                1.9%
14. Studying the Bible on my own                   1.2%
15. Preaching or Teaching                                 1.2%
16. Reading books or articles                           .9%
17. A cell Group                                                     .7%

As many of you know, I have been feeling the Call back into full-time ministry.  Today it became complete.   I will be moving to Lincoln County, KY  in March to be the youth and collegiate pastor at Pleasant View Baptist Church in Waynesburg, Ky.  My wife and I are so excited about the new opportunities and experiences ahead, but we are also sad to leave friends and my amazing job at Kentucky Heartland Outreach.  Please stand by for updates, and if you are the praying type,  please ask for:

• The transition to be smooth for Pleasant View, KHO, and my family
• For the students ministry at P.V.B.C.
• That our house at 40 Birmingham Way Campbellsville, KY will sell!

Over the past two years I have made it quite clear that I thought Eli Manning was the most overrated player in the NFL. I would make comments like “if there was any other name on the back of his jersey he would be coaching a mid-level high school team on the gulf coast.” 

Last night Eli proved to me how wrong I was.  I was impressed.  The NY defense was amazing, and I am confident I wasn’t the only New England supporter who was rooting for the Giants before the first quarter ended.

On a sidenote- one of the best things about that victory was all the trash that Tiki Barber (who retired after last season) talked about his ex-teammates and former coach.  Who’s smiling now Tiki?