This semester was a good bit of work. From taking over as Director of the awakening, leading the leadership team in its second semester, growing my relationship with my girlfriend, pouring into other young men at the church, and fulfilling other duties that have been given to me, I have found time to really labor. I am very appreciative of that because this time last year I felt very insignificant with the lack of busyness my life had at the time. It made me feel as if I was underperforming and that was a reflection of my character which it wasn't. It was the season the Lord had me in, and it rightly prepared me for the season of labor that I am in right now.
The beautiful thing of labor though, is the fruit that comes from it. Unlike most jobs that college grads take, I do not make a monetized bonus my peers from business school will be making this time of year. But what I do get to witness is the growth of young individuals who want to get closer to God, and I do not think I would have it any other way. Justin Gonzalez is a young man that made the decision to join staff at AwakenChurch as a resident (which is typically reserved for college graduates, my man is a trail blazer) and he is only 19. 19!!! I can't think of ever making a decision like that at 19, and it isn't just the fact that Justin made that decision, but that the Lord has rewarded him with an abundance of mature spiritual growth and wisdom that I cannot get over at all. One of my passions is helping the people closest to me grow and achieve the best version of themselves, and I get to come to work every week and see the things that God is doing in Justin's life. There is no doubt that the Lord is preparing that man to serve His kingdom and His people well for the rest of Justin's life, and as his ministry leader, it is the biggest blessing ever to see this man continually deny himself to say yes to Christ in ways I definitely didn't as a teenager.
I also got to see a young woman in our ministry grow out of her shell. She was new to our ministry and came from a different city and was only here for a short while, but in that short while, I got to see God work in her life to slowly tear down some barriers of apprehension to community. I saw her come out of her shell and build some genuine friendships with people that have encouraged her to continue to allow God to mold and shape her into the young woman that He has intended her to be.
All in all, I am blessed to be charged with the task of leading God's ministry. I know that if I weren't doing it, He would still be growing it and fostering it along in a way that pleases Him, which really humbles me in the best way possible. The God of this universe is doing a work and has portioned out responsibility for me to be a part of it. Wow.
I also say that to say that the community that has been built (and is building) at awakening has been probably the healthiest ministry I have been blessed to be a part of. We have been a part of fostering a culture of Belong. Believe. Build. Firstly, we want people to know that they belong, no matter who you are, what you identify as, what sin you are stuck in, what you did last week or even 2 hours ago, you BELONG here at awakening, and no one can tell you different. Secondly, our HOPE in that belonging here, you will believe. Christ said "I am THE WAY, THE TRUTH, and THE LIFE, NO ONE comes to the Father except through Me." Believe on Christ and that He is the only way to salvation from this broken earth and eternity to the next life. Lastly, we want to build. Build upon the foundation of the core belief that Jesus Christ IS God and we don't want to stay at belief but carry it over to building a life on the foundation of Christ. It has been through this process we have seen people of all backgrounds come to our ministry and I will boast in that God has made it a diverse one indeed.
With all this that is going on, I want to leave with two asks. A reminder to continuously be in the word and be praying and seeking after God and to surround yourself with community that will encourage and help you to do the same. The second being an ask to give to the work I am so blessed to be a part of. AwakenChurch covers a portion of my salary and I am support raising the rest, I already have a few saints who have committed to giving monthly to help support me financially and I ask that you consider that as well. It doesn't have to be an extremely high number (but hey, if the Spirit leads you that way, be led that way, LOL) but I ask that in your consideration you look at your budget and think of how much you can commit each month to my ministry. Anywhere even $10 a month over the next year is a blessing. If you are looking at your finances and can only make a one time donation, that is a huge blessing as well and I thank you for believing in me and the work that God is doing in and through me!
Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don't have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless-like chasing the wind. Ecclesiastes 6:3 NLT
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