We had incredible attendance tonight for the Bible study with the MCCA kids. There were probably 25 of us total. We talked about how we can guard ourselves from falling in our spiritual life. It was a lot of fun, and they really participated in the study. I think it went well.
I just read an article on youthspecialties called The Ministry of Presence. It’s a great look at what youth ministry really is all about. It helps me realize what I’m really trying to instill in the lives of the future youth pastors of this country. It also explains why we spent some time with Rigo today.
Tonight they celebrate Mexican Independence Day. We went to church for a party where we ate lots of good Mexican food, including pozole, beef tacos, sopes, and drank jamaica water and horchata water. It was awesome.
There was a similar fiesta at the seminary on Monday. I actually had a chance to take a few pictures at that one.
Finally! I finished my Principles of the Christian Life class that I am taking as part of the Advancement in Ministry (AIM) program at Columbia Biblical Seminary. Today was the due date, so I finished my integrative essay and my term project, a 10 page analysis of The Five Views of Sanctification. It feels so good to be finished with that class. Now I can move on to the Theology of Jonathan Edwards class that follows. I have to read Jonathan Edwards: A New Biography before I can even start listening to the lectures. I guess I should get busy on it.
Today, I had a great talk with Huberto, one of the youth ministry majors at the seminary. He is the only one that is working as a youth pastor at his own church. He told me many encouraging things, but this story stands out as being awesome.
Two weeks ago was pastor appreciation day in the church, but their church didn’t do anything for their pastor. Instead, they were planning on doing somethiing this past weekend. Huberto’s family owns a marble factory where they sell marble plaques engraved with different things. The church asked Huberto to make some little things to hononr the pastor and leaders of the church. So, this Sunday, when they recognized the pastor and leaders, they also recognized Huberto as the youth pastor. This, to him, was a humbling experience. We have been talking about youth ministry as a vocation, and I think this experience at his church made him realize the calling God has on his life. As the young people of the church came up to pray for the various leaders, Huberto realized how many young people there are in the church and how big his responsibility is. Please pray for him as he juggles seminary classes, a job, family responsibilities, and the youth ministry at his church. Pray for me, too, as I constantly feel humbled to be a part of this ministry, and as I try to mentor these guys.
While Janell worked on lesson plans, I used the day off to work on a paper for my Theology class at Columbia Biblical Seminary and listen to the Miami Dolphins lose to the Tennessee Titans. Through the wonders of modern technology, and the NFL’s new Field Pass, I listened live to the radio station in Miami that broadcasts the games. Unfortunately, the outcome wasn’t what I had hoped for. There’s always next week.
