Busy November
Hello again!
November has been pretty hectic to say the least!
I’m currently taking a Movement Launching class as part of my intern job experience. Pretty much I am required to weekly reach a bunch of articles and watch/listen to a bunch of video/audio clips that teach me how to best do my job (kinda on the job training that I can apply weekly). It takes about 2-5 hours a week to do the assignments, respond to discussion forums and plan to implement what I’ve been learning. So thats kinda my excuse for not keeping up with my blog (i remember naively thinking I could post daily..hahaha).
Whats been going on besides the class?
I have been discipling/ mentoring 5 students from UC Irvine and Cal State Long Beach (they can probably read this post too). It has been by far one of the highlights of my month. We usually chat about life and cover some kind of material that helps us to develop of Christian leaders at our schools. There is something really special about having close discussions with these guys, usually we talk about things happening in our lives that we wouldn’t normally discuss on a regular basis. Its really cool seeing these guys grow and I’m certainly growing as well.
In the beginning of the month i was asked to give a presentation about “missional incarnational community” at UC Irvine. For myself it was a pretty big personal challenge being that I don’t like public speaking, especially on topics that I don’t know well. All in all, despite my nervousness and poor public speaking skills, the talk went well. Several students approached me after and told me that the talk made a lot of sense and changed their perspective on ministry and how they relate to their community and subcultures. Heres a video that helped me to understand the main concepts:
We also had one of our first major outreaches at Cal State Long Beach. We used a visual survey tool called “Soularium” that uses a variety of picture cards to help us understand the perspective and beliefs of students on campus. I was able to have some deep, meaningful conversations with random students that stopped by our table. I also think that this outreach was extremely beneficial for the students that we work with giving them additional experience in understanding and caring for their classmates.
Soularium Outreach table at CSULB
We also recently had a conference called the Crossroads conference. The purpose of the weekend was to give students the opportunity to gain perspective, training, and direction in how to fulfill the great commission (spreading Gods love to everyone) after college. At first I was a bit hesitant about the whole thing because I felt that it was just a plug to get students to intern (like me) or staff. However, it was pretty balanced considering! We had some really great speakers and breakout sessions tailored to the different needs of the students. Specific sessions on what ministry is like in the corporate world, how to share your faith in the graduate school environment, as well as non profit and vocational ministry opportunities. I think that this conference was most helpful in giving students additional PERSPECTIVE AND INSIGHT into deciding their future.
For myself some of the important things that I learned were:
-You don’t have to decide what you want for the rest of your life now. Things change and sometimes you just need to take things one step at a time and trust that God will direct your steps, not your whole journey at once. Its also important to “seek wise council” and talk to as many experts and get as much perspective about future options as possible.
-Are you living for now or eternity? (Are you living for something worthwhile, something worth sacrificing for?)
-Write a “contract to God” in which you commit your future to Him and allow it to guide your decisions.
-Write a “contract to God” in which you commit your future to Him and allow it to guide your decisions.
-Give up your small ambitions for those that are greater
-The “american dream” cannot fully satisfy you (you’ll always want more money and status) and can often separate you from God
-God doesn’t always give you the perfect job right away, sometimes you need to “climb the ladder” in order to develop your character and your relationship with God.
-As we graduate college and move on into the “real world” our group of friends will grow smaller. A group of 15-17 people will provide 80% of your spiritual/emotional/relational support, so it is important to focus on relationships and intimacy with key friends.. to know and be known, to have trust, respect, understanding and love.
-Proverbs 18:28 “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother”.
-Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen”.
Speakers at Crossroads Conference 2011
Professional Q&A Panel at Crossroads Conference 2011
Some random epic students at Crossroads Conference 2011
Thanksgiving Break
Thanksgiving was also pretty fun. One of our friends, Lindsey flew down from Seattle U. to visit us and watch her brothers soccer tournament in San Diego. We first went hiking in Malibu with Emi (one of our high school friends). Later we drove down to SD and had a catered thanksgiving meal and also had the opportunity to watch the soccer game and visit the beach later.
Point Dume Hike in Malibu
Malibu Coastline
My first ever catered Thanksgiving meal!
Beach in San Diego
Prayer Requests
That God gives the Long Beach students boldness and courage in reaching out to and loving their peers. Aside from outreaches, we hope to see each of our students become a positive influence on the people that they interact with on a daily basis.
Fall Retreat
Fall Retreat
Last, last weekend (Oct 21) was our annual Epic Fall Retreat. This retreat allows students from different universities in southern California to take a break from their studies in order to have fun and get to know each other. The theme this year was “Made for More”. During the weekend we explored personal identity and purpose in relation to who God created us to be. The keynote speakers talked about:- · Social justice in the Bible and how it relates to the modern day Church.
- · How to use our talents and passions to mirror God’s love to those in need.
- · The power of our life stories and how sharing both triumphs and failures can encourage and guide our friends and peers.
- · How to experience a deeper joy in life by trusting God with our lives and being empowered to impact our friends and communities.
Fall Retreat was crazy! I was totally overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of students who showed up. In all, around 140 students show up for the weekend. While there I was really torn between my identity as a newly graduated student and my identity as a staff member. I usually have an extroverted personality, so I spent most of my time getting to know as many of the students a possible. It was especially weird explaining that I wasn’t a student. I did have staff responsibilities such as facilitating follow up conversations on stage after each keynote speaker as well as serving on the panel for men’s and women’s time. I think I have a specific advantage of being a transitional person who understands the student’s perspective and the staff’s goals for the campus. The weekend overall was great! Many students left feeling excited about ministry on their campus as well as empowered to see social justice served in their community and city through the local church.
Facilitators (we had follow up convos further discussing/summarizing the main speaker)
Cal State Univ. Long Beach
Fall Retreat Staff
140ish students: Fall Retreat 2011
