Merry Christmas! It has been a while since our last newsletter and a lot has happened.
As the year 2020 comes to an end, we can't help but look forward with excitement and hope to see what the Lord's going to accomplish in the upcoming months! It has been a difficult year for so many and us at Oregon Youth Alive haven't been immune. Our ministry students have struggled through the pressures of adapting to new ministry methods, serving under Covid restrictions, continuing to balance all of the tasks we put before them and learning how to lead in times of great confusion and hardship. All of us have tasted and seen the goodness of our Lord as He continues to show His faithfulness and lead us in deeper discipleship as well as dependence on Him.
As we celebrate during a season of thankfulness and the birth of our Lord, here are all of the things lately that have occurred that I am particularly thankful for...
- A new member, Nick Reigel, to the OYAMA family joined in late October.
- Students served all over the state at various locations during our annual Oregon Youth Convention (This year's theme being "unCONVENTIONal" of course).
- Our students also served amazingly at the Oregon Kids Convention in November.
- Together we've walked through many difficult questions and situations with these soon to be young ministers. Our weekly meetings ever cease to amaze me when I witness what God is doing to prepare, stretch, develop and love our young men and women! Watch out Oregon!
- The OYAMA program as a whole has gone under a shift in format and focus as, with much prayer and seeking the Spirit's leading, we've retooled the program to add more time and specialized training to better prepare our students for the current realities of ministry!
- The Lord allowed Brittany and I opportunity to take part in the Eastern Oregon Missions Conference! We, as well as a handful of incredible missionaries, were blessed to travel and speak to 10 of our churches in Eastern Oregon. What a blessing to be able to serve the Church!
