The Journey Begins...

Welcome to my first blog post ever.  I know, an engineer writing a blog....how exciting could that really be?  I'm not so sure, so I guess we'll find out together!  Let's go!

I've worked with youth in years past and it was always a passion of mine, however, due to certain circumstances, the last few years had me fulfilling other roles and duties.  During these last few years, I have tried to follow what I felt the Lord was calling me to do, but often felt that I was being called to something different. I just had no idea what that was to be or the timing of it.  Well, recently God made it clear.  Please join me on this journey of life, faith, and 'The Compass'.    

Below, is a letter I wrote right after the defining time in my life that led to 'The Compass'.

Hello,

My name is Todd Brigham.  I am a husband, a father, a son, an engineer, and an avid outdoorsman.  A lot of things of this world can define who we are.  On April 26th, 2017, while sitting in my office on the North Slope of Alaska, God started to break down walls in my heart.  Over the next two days God proceeded to work on me and build me back up a changed person with a changed purpose.  On that first day, God tore down walls in my heart that were causing me to put Him second in some areas of my life.  He called me to make Him first in everything.  The Lord gave me the image of Jesus sitting in the "I am Second" chair weeping.  He was just where in many ways I had told him to be.  I knew at this moment that for me, this meant some major changes and a step of faith into the unknown.  If I was truly to follow him I had to surrender all to Him.  My mind and heart was in turmoil thinking what this could mean and where it would take me.  On day two the Holy Spirit overwhelmingly welled up inside of me.  Through the tears, God clearly started laying out the future calling for my life.  It was none of the many ideas my mind had been thinking of the previous day; rather, something much different with a very clear purpose and a very specific name.  This is the moment "The Compass" was born.  The Lord was clearly telling me that it was time to start a Christian based youth center in Nikiski and help our youth navigate through life and point them towards Christ.  It was clear that it was time to fully pursue who God was calling me to be.  It was time to roll up my sleeves, hit my knees, and prepare for the unknown.  It was time to fully submit not just some of my time or some of my money or some of my passion...but rather submit all of me.  On the third day, God raised my spirit with a peace and a plan that surpassed understanding and expectation.  And so it began...      

A compass is a simple tool used for centuries to find one's way.  It takes you from where you are to where you need to be.  Without one, the vast ocean, the deep valley, or the thick forest can prove insurmountable.  And this is where a large portion of our youth today find themselves.  Many are lost spiritually and wandering without purpose and direction in life.  Jesus says, "I am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE".  The purpose of "The Compass" is to show youth the WAY, teach them the TRUTH, and help them find true LIFE in Christ.  We also want to help youth navigate through the practical challenges of life so they can find who God made them to be.  Jesus changed the world from little ol' Nazareth.  We believe, with His help, we can change the world from little ol' Nikiski, AK.  And that's exactly what we plan to do.

Please join my family and I on this quest.  Help us navigate by praying, help us overcome obstacles by giving, or even come join us in serving at "The Compass".  We'll set our compasses toward Jesus and whatever hills and valleys come, we shall overcome.  To God be the glory now and forever.

Jesus in the WAY,

Todd Brigham