It is a privilege to be a part of something that is greater than our own family and ministry. In one of my classes, I teach how difficult it is to measure success in ministry. We work hard everyday, invest countless hours in the lives of people, and do what we feel God wants us to do. But often it isn’t until years later that we see results.
Of course, numbers aren’t everything. But it is always great to see the impact that a ministry is having on the lives of those around them.
This week is the week of intensive courses at our Seminary. Dr. Karen Jones from Huntington University is teaching the youth ministry course called “Foundations of Youth Ministry.”
She is focusing on lesson plans and teaching/learning styles. It’s great to have her here with us.
There are lots of things I love about having professors visit Mexico and interact with my students.
Here are a few of them:
The students get to know (and learn from) someone else besides me, who has different experiences and a different teaching style.
The students have the chance to learn from experts in various subjects.
The students have the opportunity to expand their network of contacts in the youth ministry world.
Other professors get to be involved in Global Youth Ministry and can see what is happening in youth ministry in Mexico.
I get to know and network personally with other youth ministry professors.
If you’re in youth ministry, have you ever thought about visiting a foreign country and sharing what you have learned in ministry with youth workers overseas? Youth Ministry International would love to be in contact with you and see how you can contribute to global youth ministry training. Contact us.
Yesterday I received this email from one of my former students who lives in the Western part of Cuba. It is awesome to celebrate multiplication of ministry.
Here’s a translation of what he wrote to me.
Hi Dennis…How are you profe? How’s your family? We are fine. I’ve been wanting to write you for some time, but I had lost my email access. Now a friend is letting me use this one.
God is working in a great way around here. Many doors are being opened as far as youth ministry is concerned. Right now, I am teaching three different groups. In the Seminary, I am teaching Professional Orientation to youth ministry.
In our church’s Bible Institute, I am teaching a semester of Introduction to Youth Ministry (Principles of Youth Ministry) to the freshmen Pastoral ministries and missions students. I’m also teaching a youth ministry specialization to a group each Saturday morning. I’m teaching this group the basic of all of the classes, the essentials. Five churches from our province are being blessed by this training.
Also, they have invited me to teach Philosophy of Youth Ministry in the National Seminary of another Baptist denomination. Isn’t this a divine, amazing work?
In our church, the Youth Ministry is taking form little by little. There is a group of leaders that are catching the vision. We have 4 leaders working with the age group of 12-15 and four with the young people who are aged 16-24. We created 14 groups that are cared for and counseled by 14 older youth who are spiritually mature. We are working with more than 90 young people. I am serving as adviser and counselor to the ministry. We are very content.
I greatly desired to tell you this because I know that it will make you happy and besides you have a significant part in all of this. To God be the glory. Thank you for your help.
Remember that when you return, I would like for you to spend some time with me and my family.
Your student and friend…
It’s amazing to see what God is doing all over the world, and it’s a privilege to be a part of it.
We did a survey of the Seminary students (and a current survey is up at our Spanish youth worker site) about the problems that the young people in their churches are going through.
I’m not sure what to make of this information. I just thought it was interesting to see the answers. It’s not a very scientific survey, but it helps me know what the Seminary students (not the YM students) are dealing with in their churches.
Also, the responses that are coming into the forum on our Spanish youth ministry site are a little different than those that the Seminary students gave. I’ll post those responses later.
Here’s how it went:
What problems exist today in the youth of your church?
They gave more than one answer on a sheet, so the percentages are per seminary student, not per total answers.
30 surveys given – 59 answers
Rebellion – 21 (70%)
Dating Problems – 14 (47%)
Sexuality – 8 (27%)
Alcoholism – 5 (17%)
Apathy – 4 (13%)
Drug Addiction – 1 (.03%)
They go with whatever teaching – 1 (.03%)
Commitment to discipleship – 1 (.03%)
Self-esteem – 1 (.03%)
Loneliness – 1 (.03%)
Youth leadership – 1 (.03%)
Nothing – 1 (.03%)
What are you doing about it?
Talking with them and their parents, counseling, Involving the family, Talking to them personally
I haven’t done anything yet, I don’t know, It’s not being dealt with, Nothing
Saturday mornings we have started some informal training for youth workers. Huberto is teaching the first series, and it’s cool for me to see one of my former students interacting and training others (2 Timothy 2:2).
Here’s a qik video of Huberto teaching the YM Goal statement: “Develop a vehicle (program) through which every adolescent will hear the gospel in a culturally relevant manner and have the opportunity to spiritually mature.” (That’s my rough English translation of what we use).
I love how passionate he is about training others. He’s taught in the bachelor’s program at the Seminary, he went with us last year to Boyce College’s Youth Emphasis Week, and he’s taken a major role in the Saturday morning training we have started.
Please pray that the ministry will continue to expand and multiply.
Youth pastors have tons of things to do. Sometimes, when you look at your calendar, you think, “How could I possibly fit one more thing in here?” I remember that feeling. I just had it this morning.
But it doesn’t take much to be a global youth worker. Here are some practical things you can do to think globally as far as youth ministry is concerned.
Participate personally in missions (more than just with your group) – YMI is always looking for people who are interested in teaching courses in one of our seminary programs. You can contact us for more information.
Teach your students about missions.
Read biographies of missionaries and use them as examples in your teaching.
Keep up to date with current missionaries by reading their blogs. (Check out missionary-blogs.com for a list of missionary bloggers.
Take short term mission trips with your group. (Interested in coming to Mexico? Contact us.)
Learn about other cultures and expressions of Christianity.
Develop relationships with international missionaries and youth workers.
Give to missions – books, money, resources, etc.
Minister to international students in your area.
Donate your time and talents to missions. There are a lot of things you can do to help the cause of Christ overseas. Get on board with what you’re good at.
If you’re interested in training youth workers internationally, please contact me or leave a comment. Youth Ministry International is constantly looking for international trainers, and I’d love to talk to you more about the opportunities there are all over the world.
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