In the beginning...

Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
1 Peter 5:5

Since my time here at Kaleo I have been looking forward to the ministry aspect of the program. I’ve yearned to put into practice the head knowledge, to put deeds to my faith, not because it helps my faith but because it is my faith, so that I may be alive in Christ. This year I have chosen to spend my time in church ministry at an Anglican church, somewhere I never thought I would be. If you know me, and most of you who are reading this do, I am very strongly opinionated, and more often than not, wrongly so. It is one of my passions to seek out new and exciting teachers of the Word of God...the Rob Bell’s, the Mark Driscoll’s, and the Francis Chan’s. I knew going into my ministry at this church that that would not be what I would get from my time at this church. After two Sundays, one youth service, five cups of coffee, and more handshakes I can count, I am more than ever reassured that God works in mysterious and powerful ways. I have been reminded of the need for a humble attitude, for a reverence for authority, when I sometimes, and I mostly don’t, agree. I am sustained, and only sustained, through my hope in Christ Jesus my Lord and that he is a God of great might, and he is faithful. Do I waver? Of course, I am a young man, and am constantly reminded by that from the wisdom of the older men, (one of the benefits of an Anglican church) but I must constantly, “come to myself” as the prodigal son does in Luke. This means I assess my surroundings, my reactions, and my heart. I act not on impulse but on wisdom and discernment, none of which is my own. So for this year the Lord is telling me to stay, to be in this community, to love these youth, and so I trust that God works. I cannot tell you how much it means that you are in prayer for me, thank you. Your persistence is felt tangibly in my day to day goings out here. Until next time,

Love

Jake