New Releases by Rick Bundschuh

Moving Messages: Ideas That Will Revolutionize the Sunday Experience, by Rick Bundschuh, will help EVERY church leader do just that Pastors...teachers...every church leader longs for Sunday messages to be memorable and meaningful, to move listeners closer to God. So why are so many messages forgettable? Pastor and author Rick Bundschuh asked the same question--and began finding new ways to connect his church audience with the life-changing truths of the Bible. He preached participatory sermons, wove experiences into messages, and invited congregational conversation as part of the Sunday morning experience. The results? Astounding--for Bundschuh and his church. In this report from the front lines, Bundschuh shares what he did, how it went, and what he learned along the way. Practical and proven, here''s the best of what invigorated the Sunday experience for him and his congregation. This book is a must-read for all church leaders eager to make Sunday messages engaging and impactful. You''ll benefit from Bundschuh''s journey and transform passive listeners into active participants in next Sunday''s message.

Cheri Hamilton, Bethany’s mom, tells the inspiring story of the Hamilton Family. Bethany Hamilton’s incredible story of surviving and thriving in the wake of a shark attack, told in her best-selling autobiography Soul Surfer, has sold more than 1.5 million copies. Yet her family’s adventures started long before Bethany lost her arm and became a pro surfer. Now Cheri Hamilton, Bethany’s mom, tells the inspiring story of the Hamilton Family. Raising a Soul Surfer invites readers to journey with the Hamiltons to the lush islands of Hawaii, to experience a worldwide news event, Bethany’s shark attack, from her parents’ point of view. Witness the many small steps of faith and how God stepped in and gave them a higher purpose.

Bethany Hamilton, whoYMmagazine called the "Bravest Girl in America," has been surfing since she was seven years old. Since her shark attack last year Bethany has participated in numerous competitions and has received the 2004 Teen Choice award for Most Courageous Teen and the 2004 ESPY Award for Best Comeback Athlete.

Following Jesus is more complex and challenging than anybody expects when they start out on the journey. It''s not just attending church, reading your Bible, and minding your Ps and Qs; it is an adventure filled with wonder and difficulty, with unlearning and relearning. In Deep Like Me, pastor Rick Bundschuh shares what he had discovered about shuffling after Jesus, and invites readers to wrestle, grieve, reevaluate, redirect, focus, contemplate, be still, and get real about living the life of a disciple. Rick''s story-driven musings are explorative instead of instructive, contemplative rather than confrontational, yet he warmly invites the reader to stride, stumble, shuffle, or crawl in the footsteps of Jesus.

These updated discussion starters based on the wisdom books of the Old Testament can stand alone or lead into a full-blown Bible study with help from the leaders’ accompanying instructions. Includes Bible references, Internet resources, and other suggested further activities.

Teenagers learn more by conversing among themselves than by somebody talking at them. These updated TalkSheets--based on the wisdom of Kings David and Solomon--cover topics of perennial relevance and high interest to today’s teens.

Hamilton, Bethany and her friends discover God’s love and guidance as they tackle the waves that life hands them. Also available: Soul SurferTM Bible, Ask Bethany, and Rise Above. In Clash, it’s a challenge to their tight-knit group when a new girl with a secret crowds Bethany and her friends. Important heart issues lead to difficult decisions. In Burned, Bethany has a run-in with an unpleasant kid on a surf trip to Samoa and discovers something in the Samoan culture that brings healing and forgiveness. In Storm, Bethany helps a young family lost on the Hanakapiai Trail. As Bethany’s youth group struggles to raise funds for a mission trip, her small act of kindness blesses them all. In Crunch, Bethany meets a little boy at an orphanage in Mexico who must have his arm removed. Concerned by his condition, Bethany makes a promise to the child that threatens her opportunity to surf in a prestigious contest.

It took real faith and courage to get Bethany back on a surfboard after losing her arm to a shark. In this new four-book fiction series based on the life of surfer star Bethany Hamilton, Bethany and her friends discover God’s love and guidance as they tackle the waves that life hands them. Also available: Soul Surfer™ Bible, Ask Bethany, and Rise Above. In Clash, it’s a challenge to their tight-knit group when a new girl with a secret crowds Bethany and her friends. Important heart issues lead to difficult decisions. In Burned, Bethany has a run-in with an unpleasant kid on a surf trip to Samoa and discovers something in the Samoan culture that brings healing and forgiveness. In Storm, Bethany helps a young family lost on the Kalalun trail. As Bethany’s youth group struggles to raise funds for a mission trip, her small act of kindness blesses them all. In Crunch, Bethany meets a little girl at an orphanage in Mexico who must have her arm removed. Concerned by her condition, Bethany makes a promise to the child that threatens Bethany’s opportunity to surf in a prestigious contest.

Youth Ministry in the Trenches is a series of practical, tactical resources to help those doing the dirty work of ministry in one of the grittiest battlefields of human existence—adolescence.

Even if they can''t actually go anywhere, our students start ''going out'' as soon as they discover a mutual affection for the opposite sex. Whether they''re serial daters, group daters, long-term daters, or non-daters, we need to help our students think about how their faith should influence their dating. This visual curriculum kit uses compelling video segments and a discussion guide to help you drive home your messages on dating.

Help your students think through how their faith should influence their dating habits. The Highway Visual Curriculum gives you compelling and entertaining video segments to encourage conversations and learning

Designed to help students get over the hurdles of being human, and into a life that is a bit more perfect.

God desires for us to pour out our hearts to Him, whether in joy or pain. But many of us don''t feel right expressing our anger, frustration, and sadness in prayer. From Job to David to Christ, men and women of the Bible understood the importance of pouring one''s heart out to the Father. Examine their stories and expand your definition of worship.

Every installment of Highway Video will be themed. A subtle thread will tie the segments together, treating important themes like self-esteem, grace, discouragement, encouragement, grief, guilt, and forgiveness. Taken together, the segments will present thoughtful -- and thought-provoking -- video statements from many sides in many modes. The first video package, on the theme of getting'' through everyday life, is titled MOST LIKELY TO SURVIVE. What more rock-bottom topic could kick off the seri

In Gimme God: The Journey of Your Growing Desire, viewers are taken through five video segments---from Avoiding God''s Call to A Genuine Desire for God-- they''ll see a spectrum of responses to desiring God. Students will be able to identify themselves in each of the video clips. Taken together, the segments will present thoughtful, as well as thought-provoking video statements from many sides in many modes.

This tough but common issue is addressed not by primarily focusing on, say, drugs or sex but from a Biblical perspective on human nature. Every installment of Highway Video will be themed. A subtle thread will tie the segments together, treating important themes like self-esteem, grace, discouragement, encouragement, grief, guilt, and forgiveness. Taken together, the segments will present thoughtful -- and thought-provoking -- video statements from many sides in many modes.

The author, a youth expert, offers keen insights on the role of the church--and especially Christian men--in bringing boys to manhood. Here, Bundschuh offers practical ideas for making the church a place where boys want to be and for establishing a Christian rite of passage to guide them into godly manhood.

Set senior high and college-age students ablaze with this exploration of Godcentered worship. Includes additional contemporary Christian music suggestions and appropriate video clips. Features a CD with red-hot modern Christian music by Spooky Tuesday, Havalina Rail Co., One Eighty, Sierra Hart and Soul-Junk.

Youth ministry fundamentals at your fingertips! Or call it a light-hearted primer to a serious subject. A Youth Ministry Crash Course is 150 to-the-point entries on issues you face every week -- topics that are described, simplified, illustrated, and occasionally tweaked by a couple of veteran youth workers who''ve acquired a pragmatic streak alongside their compassion for teenagers. Inside you''ll find shrewd insight with a wry twist: - On Curricula: "You know your kids better than some editor working away in a cubical somewhere. Change material to suit your group, and chuck what doesn''t fly." - On Recycling: "Students cycle in and out of your youth group every three or four years -- so recycle your program themes and events that often too." On Rules: "Never make one when you''re tired or ticked off." - On Sacred Cows: " Learn what they are and keep your kids away from them -- you''ll add longevity to your job. E.g., no pew hurdling in the million-dollar sanctuary during youth night. - On Spiritual Growth: "The kid that grows the fastest may not grow the deepest. Don''t overlook the one who grows slowly but steadily." Whether you''re new to youth ministry, a Sunday school teacher of junior or senior highers, a volunteer, or a veteran with a novice staff -- in Crash Course you''ll find instructions, motivation, and reminders of what the glorious, hectic calling of youth ministry is all about.

This five-session elective course on the book of Jonah will help senior high teens grapple with the tough assignments God has given them. The lessons are creatively done and come with student sheets, questions, and flexible learning activities.

Expose high school students to insights into the mysteries and magnificence of God. Includes a bonus session that takes kids on a stargazing event. The study addresses atypical topics such as the many dimensions of God, his view of time and paradoxes such as predestination and foreknowledge.

A fun, effective way to gain valuable insights into your students--from opportunities for discussions, teaching, and counseling to spotting trends, challenging kids to act on their faith, creating spark, and having more fun. Includes 50 questionnaires and a leader''s guide with instructions, important insights into the questions, and classroom tips.

Psalms and Provers is the resource you''ve been waiting for to help your kids get into biblical truth and apply it to their lives. Inside you''ll find 50 complete lessons utilizing the popular TalkSheet format that has been helping youth leaders for many years.

Using comic strip stories and illustrations to help kids think about situations and problems they are likely to face in life, this book will motivate them to seek practical, Biblical answers. Contains 50 reproducible cartoons that cover a wide variety of topics: honesty, family relationships, self-esteem, and witnessing. Perfect for Sunday school, devotionals, and discussions. Illustrated.