March Look Back & Why I do this...

Happy April!

As always, we'll begin with an update on everything that happened in the month of March…

March Recap:

• Teaching topics included how to present a sermon or teaching.
• Students practiced speaking skills through giving short sermons/teachings.
• As for me, other than the normal every week activities, March was filled with behind the scenes tasks such as: helping to coordinate our ministry fair, prepping for our Amplify event in April and finalizing plans for our 1st year students' Summer internships.
• Our six 1st-year students continued their church visits where they visit different churches, youth groups and children's churches every Wednesday and Sunday for the purposes of observing how ministry is done in different contexts and with different styles and methods. 

• March was INSANE for our 2nd-year students!
• Both Aiyanna Donaldson and Amanda Kidd completed the process to receive ministry credentials through the Assemblies of God! They will be recognized at the Oregon district Summit event this April for such a huge accomplishment!
• Also, both 2nd-year students went through a rigorous 3-day ministry fair event where we had 21 Lead Pastors from churches all over Oregon interview them for a job once they graduate!

This brings me to the big "WHY". 

Why do we do this? What is the core, driving principle of OYAMA? Why did Tom Bachman have a vision for this ministry 12 years ago? Every year the answer presents itself in March when we do our Ministry Fair for the 2nd-year students...

• We had 21 churches come interview our 2 graduating students. That's over 10% of all Oregon churches. This means 19 churches will end up without a Youth and/or Kids Pastor at the end of this process.
• This is  the "WHY" we do what we do. Yes I love being a part of what God's doing in helping develop healthy leaders but perhaps an even greater passion is to be a blessing to the churches, Lead Pastors and all of the communities that are in desperate need. I believe that God is still calling young people to fulfill their unique calling to minister in each of these towns and churches that are currently without. 

That is why we exist! Our goal is truly to see a new wave of God's Church rise up to be who He's called us to be. We believe that every sized church (small to large) is in need of people who will take a stand for the communities, schools, towns, cities and people of Oregon. No single church or person can do it alone but together, God is up to something in Oregon. What a privilege to be a part of that!

 Thank you for your prayer and financial support and allowing us to serve in this capacity! If you are interested at all in joining the team or hearing more about the Oregon Youth Alive Ministry Academy, please feel free to contact me and I would love to share more! Go to giving.ag.org and type in ministry code: 282345 to be support OYAMA financially.