April/May Update 2025
Dear Friends,
As summer approaches, I’m filled with gratitude and excitement. Your faithful partnership continues to make an eternal difference in the lives of students, leaders, and communities—thank you.
My heartbeat remains the same: to see a mighty army of young people and leaders radically obedient to the passionate pursuit of knowing Christ and making Him known.
On the Ground in Texas
This spring, God moved in powerful ways. At Five Oaks, alongside my friend Taylor Johnson and our campus missionaries, we hosted a fun, engaging outreach—sharing the gospel through illusions I learned years ago from my friend Tom Toombs. It was joy-filled and gospel-centered!
Investing in our small group leaders continues to be one of my favorite parts of ministry. Watching them grow, lead, and serve is inspiring. We also had a powerful “Behold” weekend with Declaration Youth—an overnight discipleship retreat with our older guys. Little sleep, but deep connections and transformed hearts.
Mid-May brought a day of celebration at Declaration Church with baptisms, graduations, and worship. There’s nothing like being home with my church family and celebrating lives being changed.
A reason to celebrate! We also now have key area leaders in Greater Wichita Falls, Greater Lubbock, the I-35 corridor, Beaumont, and Brownwood, thanks to our Accelerate events in March. We want a healthy network within reach of every youth leader in all 254 counties.
Across the Country
I had the privilege of leading worship and sharing at the NNYM national staff gathering in California—what a joy to pour into prayer leaders and fellow missionaries. My focus included updates on See You at the Pole, prayer walks, and uniting around intercession for students. It was great having Carol along with me, too.
With Travis Deans, I shared the “Accelerate” strategy—a collaborative movement to reach students faster through unity, discipleship, and multiplication. We’re seeing pastors, youth leaders, educators, and parents rally together to equip students as missionaries in their schools.
This month also included supporting the Dignity Revolution training in Hico, Texas, and sharing the origin story of See You at the Pole with youth missionaries from the Assemblies of God in Florida. What an honor to encourage and equip those on the front lines nationwide.
Other highlights included attending the National Discipleship Forum, reconnecting with long-time friends and leaders, and helping lead the NxtMove DFW event in Dallas. God is on the move in every corner—uniting hearts, sharpening vision, and raising up leaders.
To the Nations
Globally, I was honored to join the board of Gen Impact, led by Barry St. Clair, helping equip and resource younger leaders worldwide to disciple their generation. This September, I’m blessed to be one of 25 youth leaders representing North America in Manila, gathering with leaders across all 11 global regions at NxtMove Global. We’ll share strategies, best practices, and resources with leaders from around the world. Please pray for that vital time.
How You Can Pray
Carol’s hip replacement surgery went well and the doctors are pleased with her progress already. Please pray for her continued recovery and quick healing.
God’s provision for Manila, Accelerate events, ongoing expenses, and upcoming conferences
Mission trips to Richmond, TX, and Portland, OR
220 Camp and LEAD Camp
Preparation of leaders for the upcoming school year
Thank you again for your prayers, encouragement, and faithful presence on this journey. Because of you, students are hearing the gospel, leaders are being raised up, and Christ is being made known in classrooms, campuses, and communities.
We’re in this together—and the best is yet to come.
With deep gratitude,
Rick
Enjoy this video story of a student saved through See You at the Pole!
Krista McBroom was saved at a SYATP after party. She is now on staff with NNYM.
Thank you all again for your love and support.
