Wow what an incredible season it has been! It's been a while since our last newsletter and in that time there's been a lot of incredible God moments and ministry moments! It would take far too long to share everything that's happened in the past couple months but we'd like to share some of the highlights!
First, I want to take a moment to brag on this new group of students; While this group is one of our youngest ever, they have hearts to serve and a strong desire to better know and love Christ and others. All of the skills of ministry can be learned through study and experience but for a group of young people to have a heart for the Lord is something different altogether. For us, being tasked with developing future ministers, one of the biggest blessings is seeing young people take ownership of their Calling and strive to be the best disciples, Pastors and people that they can!
Our new students: Adonai, Grady, Levi, Peyton, as well as Christian and Trinity (our married couple) have been busy as they acclimate to new jobs, living in the Youth Alive homes, college classes, serving at the Kids and Youth ministry at Hope church in Albany, working jobs and meeting with us each Wednesday. We spend 6 hours each Wednesdays morning coordinating all of those things as well as leading individual coaching with each student, planning ministry events and teaching/discussing topics to prepare for their future as ministers. With this group, there's never a dull moment at our weekly meetings!
As much as I could go on and on about this current group of OYAMA students, another BIG WIN has been seeing our recent graduates begin their new ministry positions as Youth Pastor at Real Life Church in Goshen and Kids Pastor at Relevant Life Church in Salem!
A few other highlights of the past couple months…
- Helping coordinate and serve at multiple events (Youth and Kids Conventions, Network Intermission for Pastors and a Speed-the-Light Turkey Bowl fundraiser).
- The opportunity to preach at our home church in Salem!
- Meeting with other Youth Pastors to discuss discipleship practices and offer training to their young leaders and staff.
As we look ahead to the Christmas season and Winter would you join us in praying for the following…
- This year's OYAMA students.
- Brittany as basketball season starts. She has a strong call from the Lord and occasion to influence the young women at McNary High School.
- More opportunities to share with ministry leaders and teams about how to disciple young people in today's culture.
- Continued vision and discernment for the entire Youth Alive team - Tom & Dalleen Bachman, John David & Suzie Urrutia as well as Brittany and I.
We need your prayers but we also cannot continue to serve in the capacity that the Lord has called us to without others financially partnering with us to ensure the continuance of OYAMA and all of the other YA ministries! It's because of people like you that two churches have recently gained new Pastors. Your financial giving and monthly pledges continue to allow to us travel and preach, it allows us to give our entire focus to our OYAMA students and their preparation, partnership provides us the opportunity and ability to serve the Oregon Ministry Network of churches in a host of ways from helping plan and serve at events to serving by taking pictures and helping run the social media ministry.
We are asking you to take a moment and seek the Lord for if He would have you join the Youth Alive team. We have a wonderful team who continually prays and gives faithfully. Will you pray and ask what you can do to financially support this ministry? If the Lord leads you to partner with us, it's easy to do so; Just go to https://giving.ag.org/home, Click on "Give Now" and fill out the needed info.
Have a great Thanksgiving and Christmas as we celebrate our Lord!
God Bless
