My Lifesong » High School Ministry

There and Back Again 2009

Jose — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 19:08:32 +0000

This year I led the Mission Trip to Mexico. It was an amazing/awesome/
tiring/draining/uplifting/
encouraging/recharging trip. Nicole was able to go with me this year, and she had a great time. She was a hard working machine!

Being in charge of the whole trip was an honor, and while I did have some bumps in the road to deal with, God brought everything together.

In this first post, I want to highlight the pride I have in my wife. She was worried about how she would handle the work and the campsite, but I believed in her. Still, she had to experience it for herself. And she was amazing! She sawed, hammered, chicken wired and stuccoed like a pro! The campsite wasn’t a big deal in the end. She was a trooper.

When I asked if she was willing to go again next year, she said yes – as long as we aren’t pregnant at the time.

So…is it wrong to pray that she can’t go next year?

I love you Nicole!!

Mexico Mission Trip Video

Jose — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 04:48:43 +0000

One of my students – Michael M. – shot and edited video on the trip. Enjoy!!!

Spring Break 2009

Jose — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:32:55 +0000

What an amazing week! The HS ministry took it’s yearly Spring Break trip to Panama City Beach, FL, to the Laguna Beach Christian Resort, and I was able to go this year after missing out last year. We took 50+ students down for a week of fun and worship, and it was a great week, despite all the rain we received while there (and a leaky bus).

The theme for the week was Identity – who we are in Christ. The identities we dealt with were I am: An Alien, A Bride, A Child of God & Royalty, Salt and Light, and Conquerors. I was privileged to kick off the series on Monday by talking about how we are aliens in this world, and I taught with a heaviness on my heart that I had never felt before. I needed to say what God wanted said, and after I was done with the lesson, the students trekked to the beach on a prayer walk and then had a 30 minute focus time. As I stood on the beach and looked at the waves coming in, I cried.

I don’t know why I did. It wasn’t sadness, but it wasn’t really elation either. I guess it was the weight of being used by God and the feeling of unworthiness coming out, but at the same time, it was a spirit of thankfulness that welled up.

Afterwards, I had a few students come up to me and thanked me for the lesson, for speaking to what they were dealing with. A leader even said that I spoke at a good pace – that I didn’t rush it (I have a tendency to be a fast speaker). I received more positive feedback at the end of the week when I read the encouragement notes on the way home.

All in all, God spoke clearly to me. I’m on the right path, and I am doing the best I can. I am not perfect, but then again, no one is. I can only do the best I can for Him. And on this trip, He made it clear that I am doing what He wants me to do.

We had five baptisms on the trip this year, and I was asked to perform two of them. These are the first two I have ever done, and I was humbled at the opportunity. Both students remarked that I was a factor in their decision, and I was moved. To be asked is an honor, and it was another way that God affirmed that I am doing what He wants. The other students who got baptized are students who I didn’t know very well before the trip, but I feel that we bonded during the week. I look forward to seeing them grow in their faith.

A long, tiring, refreshing, amazing week. God showed up, God was worshipped and praised, and He was glorified.

Thank You God for everything You do.

Of Beaches and Deserts…

Jose — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 11:23:25 +0000

On Friday, we are leaving for Florida for the HS Ministry’s annual Spring Break trip to Panama City Beach, and I am so excited (and sad since Nicole is unable to go with us)!! I feel that God has something special in store for us again, and I am anxious to see what it is. We have a great group of students going this year, and I look forward to building up existing relationships and forming new ones.

I have several students from my small group going, and building those relationships up is a priority. I have a few freshmen, and I look forward to the next 3 years of working with them and seeing them grow. I have one senior who I started working with this year, and I have already seen tremendous growth in him, and I thank God for that.

Then there are the other students who I am close to but who are in different small groups, and then there are students who I have not had much opportunity to interact with.

Again, exciting!

Then there are the leaders who I love to work alongside. I look forward to deepening those friendships.

After Spring Break, my focus will turn to Mexico, and what awaits us there. The drug cartel violence is casting a pall over the trip, so I will be monitoring the situation closely. I ask that you pray that God keeps us close to Him, and that things go according to His plans. Please pray that God prepares those who are going for the experience. Pray that those who are sending loved ones are at peace knowing that God is in control.

Plans are coming together, God is making this happen, and I am thankful that He provides.

Dinner with students

Jose — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 22:09:16 +0000

I had the pleasure of going out to dinner with a couple of students tonight. Nick and Rudi are sophomores involved in the H.S. Ministry and are a couple of great kids. Our conversation ranged all over, and I had a great time. I have to admit that they have a way of edifying me, and I hope that I do the same for them.

Slowing Down

Jose — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 11:01:34 +0000

Many of you have noted that life has been really hectic for me the last few months, and I thank you for your concerns. November was filled with schoolwork, ministry, getting the house ready for guests, and anything else you can think of. Now that Thanksgiving has passed, things have slowed down a lot, and I am thankful for the break God has provided. I have one more week in my Christian Ethics class before a two week break until my Old Testament Poetry and Prophecy class starts. Two weeks may not sound like a long time, but in the CALL program, it's like a summer break. I will take the time to work ahead on my online class and try to finish that up before January just to take a breather (although I could take the time to work on my final for 30 days…I might have to consider that). Anyways, January will be here before you know it, and it's going to get busy again with planning the Mexico trip (with the added bonus of coordinating with three other churches), high school ministry, and everything else. The two main people that keep me sane are God and Nicole, and the quality time I spend with them. Everything else flows from that.

CRIBS!!

Jose — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 23:57:09 +0000

Well, tonight was our second night of CRIBS, and it was amazing. We had another great turnout (although, to be honest, I feel that any turnout is a great turnout), and I think the discussion went well. Seeing these young men and women gathering to discuss God, relationships and be in fellowship lightens my heart. I think it’s going to be a great year, and I look forward to seeing these teenagers grow in their spiritual maturity, not just this year, but over the next several years.