Not about me . . .

Many people wonder why I've served in the youth ministry for the last eleven years since college graduation. Personally, I love meeting and growing with young people so much that it's really been a no-brainer for me. Leading, teaching, volunteering, hanging out, challenging, correcting, empowering . . . These are some of the things I love to do with the girls in my small group.

But even with the passion for the youth and a heart to see them grow, because of all the transitions I've been through in the last few years, I've sometimes wondered if what I do makes a difference.

Today I was reminded of how it's not about me. Paul said one plants, another waters, but God causes the growth. I may have done One 2 One with someone many years ago, I may have played a part in someone's spiritual growth, I may be available to challenge a person to grow in God, but it's still not about me. God brings the growth. We have to be faithful to plant or water, to do what we can at any particular time, and we also have to build foundations correctly, not on ourselves or the church, but on the foundation of Jesus Christ alone.

I don't see myself graduating from youth ministry yet--for as long as God wants me to plant and water here, I will. I love how life has greater meaning when we pour into others, rather than just looking into our own lives. Because remember, it's not about me, and it's not about you either . . . !

"I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.  By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ." - 1 Corinthians 3:6-11 

Believing in Young People

I was 14 when I became a Christian, and served God as a high school and college student. I was involved in church, campus orgs, and everything regular students do. After graduation, I continued to be involved in youth ministry by leading a small group and helping young women know God and walk with Him every day. We've navigated through personal, family, financial, and spiritual concerns and together we've looked to and held on to God's promises in His Word. I've seen many of these young women graduate from high school and even college.

Even with all the changes in my own life in the last few years, though, I always keep going back to serving in the youth ministry, whether I am in Nashville or Manila, Ortigas or Fort Bonifacio, Ateneo or La Salle. I guess it's because people believed in my generation so many years ago, invested in our lives, and helped us grow. I can't help but believe in young people as well, knowing that God has a plan for them and also knowing that the enemy will try to not let that come to pass.

After attending the Ignite conference last week, my passion to see young people serving God is now even stronger. As a small group leader, a university-level teacher, and as someone who got saved as a teenager, I know that God has a great purpose for each young person, and I want to do my part in serving the next generation.

Towards the end of the Ignite conference, Joe Bonifacio reminded the students that they will not always be "the next generation," and that it will be important to pass the baton to those who will come after. I remember when I was the youngest in our small group, the youngest in the ushering ministry, the youngest in so many things. Time does fly and it's really not about how good our generation has been, but whether we have been able to train those who have come after us. And by God's grace, each generation will go from glory to glory, and will do mighty exploits, more than what the previous generation was able to do. 

And yes, even if the young people add "po" in their sentences when they talk to me now, as a sign of respect because I'm older than them, I will not let my age deter me from mentoring, coaching, training, and believing in them. Young people need people they can talk to, exchange ideas with, and people who will just be there for them and point them in the right direction. And for those who are willing, God will help us see the fruit of our labor and the return of our investments, whether that's weekly prioritizing meeting with them, taking time to talk even when it's convenient, and keeping up with their energy level even though you don't have as much left in you.

I believe God is truly raising a new generation of those whose hearts are sold out to Him, and I count it a privilege to be part of this!

Looking Forward to Ignite

As I look forward to our Ignite conference that kicks off with pre-conference meetings tomorrow, I can't help but remember what it was like when I attend a youth conference several years ago. Even as I continue to volunteer in the youth ministry, I know many young people will continue to encounter God and live there lives for Him!

Here's an old post I wrote on Multiply about Campus Harvest (but our Philippine youth conference is now called Ignite)....

When we had our Campus Harvest conference a few years ago in Baguio (May 2004), I had a powerful and unforgettable encounter with God.

It was the last day of the conference, and if you know me, I don’t really cry.  But when I got to my seat and the prayer meeting was about to start (30 minutes before the start of praise and worship), I began to tear, cry, sob . . . I could not understand why except I knew I was encountering God.  I was enjoying being in His Presence and allowing Him to take charge and speak to me.

I cried through praise and worship, but when it got to the offering and the preaching, I began to feel a bit awkward.  Who cries through the offering?  I think Rico preached during that last session (I can’t really remember through the tears), and I went to the back because I felt so embarrassed already.  My friends even thought I was upset at them because I just left them without an explanation and I didn’t want to talk to them.  But I did not know how to explain what was going on.  In my years of walking with God, I had never encountered Him that way and I didn’t know what to do.  I wanted to stay in His Presence and enjoy my time with Him, but I also didn’t know if I was just being weird.  I knew it was different because I was crying until after the conference ended and it was time for lunch.  I left my friends in the restaurant and went back to the room because I needed to process what was going on.

I opened my Bible and continued reading through the book of Psalms.  I kept reading, highlighting, praying, crying, and finally I got to Psalm 16:2, which I continue to remember to this day:

I said to the LORD, 
“You are my Lord;
apart from you I have no good thing.”

This was my declaration.  God has blessed me tremendously and continues to do so, but without Him, I have no good thing.  He is all I need and want.  After approximately 5 hours of crying, I knew God had done something powerful in my life that day.  He was reinforcing who He was in my life and He asked me to trust Him like no other.  He asked me to love Him like no other.  I recommitted my life to Him and asked for Him to be at the very center of my life.

Since that time, many things have happened—traveling to new places, changing jobs, expanding ministry involvements and responsibilities—but I look back at that time and know that God sealed Himself in my heart that day.  I didn’t expect Him to show up the way He did, but I am so glad He reveals Himself in ways we do not understand or can imagine.  I don’t always cry during praise and worship even to this day, but I know that He meets me where I am and I can encounter Him every day.  I am a different person after having encountered Him.  Seeking Him and serving Him is the best thing I could ever do with my life, and I am excited to encounter Him in new ways!

Here is a picture of some of my friends
who were with me at Campus Harvest 2004

SEE YOU IN IGNITE, and GET READY FOR A POWERFUL ENCOUNTER THAT COULD CHANGE YOUR LIFE FOREVER!