*New Year - New Goals* Oregon Youth Alive Ministry Academy

Every year Brittany and I put together a list of goals we want to accomplish individually as well as together as a couple & this year God is calling us each to trust Him more than ever and really pursue the plans He’s spoken to us. In mid-December both of us lost our largest source of income which had been a huge blessing in our lives, but candidly, had become something we relied on too heavily and kept us from really pursuing the things we knew God had called us to. That’s not to say that we weren’t actively involved and engaged in our calling to the Oregon Youth Alive Ministry Academy but that we were relying on that job rather than on the Call He had given us. This is my focus for the year 2019. It’s about pursuing the challenge of trusting God to provide and be 100% active in the ministry callings He’s given us.

Four years ago was another turning point in our lives. Brittany and I had recently resigned from a Youth Pastor role in Lebanon, OR. After A TON of prayer, I called US Missionary, Tom Bachman, and asked if I could come down to Albany on Wednesdays and be a part of the ministry school I had graduated from called the Oregon Youth Alive Ministry Academy (OYAMA) that he runs. The Lord confirmed over and over again that He was moving me out of a specific church ministry toward a more general role involving teaching/developing young leaders. Since then I've been given an opportunity to become a US Missionary Associate for Oregon Youth Alive! Now I know that God has placed me exactly where He wants me to be, doing what I love! I am passionate about pouring into young leaders and I am passionate about helping Oregon churches find quality leaders, helpers and servants to fill roles that are greatly needed in our communities.

So what is OYAMA?

* OYAMA is a 2-year ministry training school specializing in young adults called to Youth, Children's and Missions ministries.
* We have on four major pillars or focuses of the program:

1. EDUCATION - Our desire is to facilitate Pastors with a strong Bible knowledge, worldview. and convictions about the truth of God's Word through education at Northwest University Salem Campus. 
2. LIFE SKILLS - Healthy leaders are always learning to balance all of life's demands and to not just survive but to thrive in ministry, work life and in their families.
3. COACHING - One-on-one life and ministry coaching is crucial to developing true discipleship. Coaches help, challenge, support, encourage and push students to higher levels.
4. MINISTRY - Providing opportunities for students to put their knowledge and theory into action through practical, hands on experience. We do this through service at a handful of ministry events a year, church job shadows as well as a 8-month internship in a church.

My role has expanded since that initial phone call four years ago. Now as the Assistant Director for the program, I am tasked with developing the students' curriculum, weekly teachings, coordinating ministry events, coaching and church visit schedules as well as communicating with potential future students. I thank God that He's called us to a higher level of investment into our students and the success of our Oregon churches! Looking ahead, I know that God is going to continue to use Brittany and I to be a part of what He's doing all over the state. 

The purpose of this blog will be to keep people informed about the monthly activities of OYAMA as a whole and what God is doing through us as Missionary Associates. I want to take a moment to say thank you for your prayers for us and this ministry. If you would like more information check out our website at http://oregonyouthalive.wix.com/programs and on Instagram at oyama__. Also please consider supporting us monthly at http://giving.ag.org using ministry code 282345. God bless!