Today is the first day of classes at the Mexican Baptist Theological Seminary. The Center for Youth Ministry has the largest incoming freshman class that we’ve had in the five years of our existence. There are (at least) five new youth ministry students entering this year out of a freshman class of 13.
I’m excited because we really worked hard the last year to promote the youth ministry training program at various events throughout the country. Our students are spreading the word about one of the only bachelor’s degree programs for youth ministry in Latin America (link to Spanish website).
Below you’ll find the list of names of the freshmen youth ministry students. Please pray for them by name.
2008 Youth Ministry Freshmen Class
- Victoria Castro Vázquez from Teziutlan, Puebla
- Gerson Hernandez Vázquez from Teziutlan, Puebla
- Josue Misael Lara Vázquez from Monterrey
- Kareni Sadai Méndez Galván from Monterrey
- Débora Osobampo Martinez from Sinaloa
Also be praying for the other youth ministry students who are beginning classes this week at the seminary. I’ll post more about each of them in the future. It’s going to be a great year of ministry.
Four years ago, we started a youth ministry program at the Mexico Baptist Theological Seminary. Last Saturday, the first graduate received his Bachelor’s in Youth Ministry from our program.
It has been the work of pioneers. We are doing something that is not being done by many people. We were some of the first people to do this in Latin America.
So here I am, four and a half years after getting to Mexico, reflecting on the beginning of this “formal youth ministry training program.”
What does it take to start a youth ministry education program?
Teamwork – I haven’t been the only one involved. Boyce College, Youth Ministry International, and a host of other people have been a part of this. It would be better if I had more of a team on the ground here in Mexico, but I’m certainly grateful for those who have formed part of our team these last four years.
In the future: I will form a team first. In order to be successful (and less stressed), you need to have a group who shares your vision, living and working with you daily.
Connections – The more you can connect with people in the country, the better off you will be. There is ministry happening, and it’s important to find out who’s doing what. More in-country connections would have helped us greatly. The in-country people don’t have to be directly involved in your ministry, but they do need to know what you’re doing and be willing to back you up and talk up your program.
In the future: I will reach out much faster to the other organizations that are already in the country or city, sharing the vision and seeing how we can form alliances to be more effective.
Perception – Perception is reality. You must be sure you are partnering with the right people. Sometimes, we have suffered because of the perception, or reputation, of our seminary (regardless of if this perception is correct or not). You must be aware of the perceptions of others.
In the future: I will work harder to create a better perception for the overall seminary/school and the youth ministry program.
Investment – It takes a great investment of time, money, and effort to get something of this magnitude off the ground. You have to know that it will be difficult, both financially and personally, to achieve anything worthwhile. Be willing to invest greatly in the dream.
In the future: I will measure the amount of work it takes to get something done, and I won’t let that stop me from achieving success. I think we’ve done a good job, and there are always things that could be done better (fundraising, team building, etc).
Vision – You must remain faithful to your vision. Helen Keller once said, “The most pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight but no vision.” You must not let what you see allow you to waiver from the vision. Despite the obstacles and barriers, stay true to the vision. Be dedicated to what you do, and you will see results.
In the future: I will share the vision more with others. I want people to buy into what we are doing. It’s important for our success that others see the big picture.
We’ve certainly not done everything right. I’ve learned a lot about leadership and ministry in the last 5 years. It has been worth it, and I’m looking forward to what is in store for the future.
(Images by: Ali K)
Jon and Nicolle arrived Tuesday to Mexico City. They stayed with us Tuesday night, and we took them to Cuernavaca on Wednesday. Jon will be doing his internship for Huntington University here in Mexico City.
Jon is a youth ministry major with a music minor, and Nicolle is an elementary education major and a Spanish minor. He’ll be studying in the same language school that we studied at for the next month, and then they will move up to Mexico City to help Huberto with the youth ministry at his church.
The benefit for us of having Jon and Nicolle working with Huberto is that we are trying to establish some model youth ministries in the city so our students at the seminary will have places to see the philosophy of youth ministry in action. We want them to have the opportunity to work in churches that are putting into practice what they are learning in the classroom.
I’m excited to have Jon and Nicolle here, and I know their ministry is going to help extend the reach of the Center for Youth Ministry here in Mexico City.
Saturday was graduation, the first graduation in the history of the Mexican Baptist Theological Seminary that included a youth ministry student. After four long years, Huberto Perez Bravo graduated with a bachelor’s degree in youth ministry (licenciatura en ministerio juvenil).
The graduation ceremony was two hours long, and then we had a celebration dinner that lasted another 2 hours. It was a historical day, culminating years of hard work and investment. This graduation was more special for me than others in the past because many of the nine graduates had been students in my classes.
One of my favorite things about the graduation was seeing Huberto with his youth group and church members who came to celebrate with him. His church has been through a lot of things, and I feel that they deserve the diploma as much as he does. He has learned a lot by leading them, and I’m happy for them all.
We’re not done, at all. Next year, we’ll have another graduate, and then there are 3 more who will graduate the following year. I have a feeling that many students will be coming to the Center for Youth Ministry in the future.
Check out our pictures on flickr from graduation day.
Don’t forget to check out our thank you video.
Tomorrow is the big graduation celebration, but today is the big grading day. I hate grading papers. Mostly because it’s such a lonely job. You can’t really hang out with other people and grade papers. You have to do it alone.
I have to lock myself away and grade papers. I have to try to force out all distractions (like the internet). I seem to almost always procrastinate when it comes to grading. It’s really bad when it just gets to be the same thing over and over again. That’s probably why I’m writing this post.
Here’s what I did one time when I was trying to put off grading papers. (Click the quicktime link)
