Here's the rundown
of all things OYAMA over the past month…
- We've continued our teachings on both a) other religions and what our response as ministers should be to those involved with them as well as b) what it means to be "Emotionally Healthy" and how to teach health in emotional spirituality as leaders.
- We facilitated the Fusion NextGen Leadership Conference. This is a conference for youth and children's Pastors and leaders from all over the state to relax, be refreshed and engage in strategic conversations and sessions to learn and grow in their abilities to minister. Us and our students run the technical aspects of the entire event - sound, lighting, media, etc.
- The biggest thing that's taken most of our time and efforts over the past month has been our Ministry Fair. This is a HUGE piece of who we are and what separates OYAMA from any other Bible school or ministry training program.
- In a nutshell, the OYAMA Ministry Fair is the bridge between our student's 2-years of training/education to an actual job Pastoring in a church.
- Our 6 graduating students hosted 27 churches as they interviewed with Lead Pastors, other staff Pastors and board members.
- Every corner of Oregon was represented at this event; As well as a variety of different sized churches, looking for everything from Children's Pastors to Youth Pastors to worship Pastors to NextGen Pastors.
The need is so
great!
This is such an
exciting time for us as our students, led by the Holy Spirit, make decisions on
where they wish to go to visit and continue in the interview/hiring process. I
love love love the leaders that come and allow our students an opportunity to begin
ministry in these churches. At the same time, our hearts break that 27 churches
and communities are in need of quality ministers and we only have 6 students to
fill those spots.
However, we know
that God is greater than the need! God is still calling people to ministry!
This is why Brittany and I spend our time investing in the next generation of
Pastors. The Church is still God's chosen vehicle to redeem humanity. The
Church is the vessel God uses to represent Christ and minister to our
communities. I believe that the best days of ministry are ahead and that OYAMA
is at the forefront of a new wave of young people saying "Yes" to
God!
Thank you again for
your prayers! We rely on those prayers. We rely on God's leading for every
decision, every conversation, every meeting, every lesson and every event. I ask that you pray
about supporting this ministry financially. You can set up recurring support or
a one-time gift at https://giving.ag.org/ Type in the ministry code 282345 and
follow the instructions from there.
Your faithfulness
keeps OYAMA and all of Oregon Youth Alive touching the lives and communities
all over our state!
... And of course we are praying for you; praying that everyone is safe and healthy as things have gotten crazy and praying that you have all the toilet paper you need. ;)
