Minutes before the start we lose all electric power.

This means no use of microphones, no PowerPoint presentations, no videos. The hot day just got hotter.

This is the Level 2 training of GYMN. It is a follow-up training to our Level 1 seminar and usually occurs a year after. This Level 2 training feels more like a reunion. Here not only do we the trainers share our stories but the participants as well tell us of the things that have happened since the first training, of what has happened in their ministry.  Here, we not only teach but invite the youth leaders themselves into the teach. But like the level 1 we ask God to join us in the event and he comes through in wonderful and unexpected ways.

And so somehow on this summer day without electrical power everything still seems quite alright. We go through the lessons, we interact with each other and we enjoy the time.

The electric power finally comes back just before dinner and then it goes away again as we begin the last session for the day. And again to me, it just seems just the way it should. We worship, singing to the Lord in the open area looking at the stars He created. Despite the loss of electricity, the Lord’s power is affirmed. His presence was with us that night and throughout the rest of the seminar.

It was a wonderful time.

I asked myself (and the staff) the following questions:

How is this verse reflected in our own personal and ministry goals this year?

What are the things do we plan to do that are greater than the past years?

Is this the best time for greater things? What about the current economy of the world and of GYMN?”

Then as a team we were reminded that last year was the tightest year in GYMN as far as its funding…but one of our most fruitful years as well as far as ministry accomplishments. God cannot be limited by our limitations!!

~~~

The next verse was the prayer of a man whose name means ‘pain’ and yet was considered honorable by God–Jabez in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10.

“Bless me, bless me indeed!” (intense, superlative)

“Enlarge my borders.” (more territories, more cattle, more influence, etc)

“May Your hand be upon me.” (God’s presence, victory, power, protection)

“Keep me from evil.” (Matt 6:13)

God challenges us to do greater things (in spite of and amidst of) and He also gives whatever we ask in His name … to do greater things.

~~~

Mid-last year I was convinced in my heart that we should start a hub in Nepal as we already have a local guy who has the same vision and is able to do the work. Nepal is also strategically located next to the 2 largest populated countries, China and India. Even without clear funding, I was excited. Before the year 2009 ended, I was close to giving up of my conviction. Last week, God provided the funds to start GYMN-Nepal!!!

Blessings, expansions, victory, greater things, these are possible because the great I AM cannot be limited. He is thinking big, He is thinking global!!

May God accomplish His greater things in and through GYMN this year. May He helps us with our unbelief and prepare us for greater things. To God be the highest glory!!

Related Posts:

The Need for Youth Ministry Training in Nepal

It’s a BIG Story!

Raising Nepal

Before leaving college we were given a mock interview to prepare us for job applications. I remember being asked what my dream job would be and I remember saying I wanted to be part of an international company that was on the cutting edge of its field.  I was probably hoping to land a job in engineering at that time although youth ministry was my passion. I never realized God would give me exactly what I stated–my dream job and focused on youth too! When I think about that I’m always amazed and thankful.

~Alvan

For our staff and volunteers: their unselfish and excellent accomlishments humble me.

For our national trainers (Philippines, Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar). Their willingness to spend even their own resources and time inspire me.

~Ghie

“I am thankful for the GYMN volunteers. I met some of them during the tenth year anniversary of GYMN-Asia in Boracay last summer. When I transferred to Manila and became a volunteer also for GYMN, I did not only gain 2 or 3 friends but almost a dozen, all at once. They filled in the void of missing my friends and young people in Mindanao. Every month, we try to plan out some outings, ranging from watching movies to playing Dutch blitz. As GYMN volunteers, they aso helped in the production of Youth Connections and assisted in the special events. This November, my thank-you’s are for the volunteers- Rina, Nan, Abby, Jonjon, Windel, Jeff, Jessa and Shayne. Also for the staff- Riza, Grace and Bennette.”

~LM

Am so thankful to God that through GYMN I was equipped to lead Youth Ministry & for having the privilege of learning from others (youth ministers).

~Macky

I thank GYMN for giving me the opportunity to bring out the best in me.

I thank GYMN for the joy of serving God with the great servants of God.

~Bench

I LOVE Global Youth Ministry Network as they thought me HOW to do Ministry. I was able to use the things I’ve learned in my Youth Ministry, my Christian website (www.pinoychristian.net) and to my workplace in the field I am working in. I’m a kind of person who just does things without doing any planning, evaluation, process or whatsoever. And because of this attitude, I had a lot the experiences of loss and failures.

But just after my GYMN Level 1 training last February, I was totally changed! I learned HOW to handle events; how to be relational to my youths, how to train next-generation youth leaders that’ll take my place; how to evaluate my goals and more! The friendship, overnight hangouts and talks I have with the GYMN family really gave me a sense of belongingness, a feeling of love that never fails to make me wake up each morning, ready to fulfill the purpose God gave to me.

To all GYMN supporters and staffs, MARAMING MARAMING SALAMAT! ^_^ I’ll do my very best to support you. I love you all.

Always here to help,

~Jon

Now it’s your turn, what are you thankful for?

1.  Experience

Otet Macapagal largely contributed in the development of the Christmas catalog project. As the head graphic designer, he made outstanding contribution in the creation of the project. Volunteering in an organization can add up to your experience and expose you to areas that you can practice your expertise. In the creation of the catalog, Otet did not only support GYMN but he also enhanced his skills in designing materials such as catalogs. As a budding graphic designer, he can include this project in his portfolio and use the learning he gained from this experience.  Otet said, “If next time I will be asked to offer my assistance to GYMN, just let me know, hindi mapapalitan ang experience na ganun (an experience like this can never be replaced).” Another volunteer is Jonjon Bonso, an IT professional, who helped in this year’s launching of the GYMN-Asia website.  He supported in the migration from the blog to what is now the website.

2. Believing in the ministry

Nowadays, people stand up for various causes led by organizations that awaken awareness for cancer, poverty, hunger and animal rights. As Christians, we are also drawn to different ministries for youth, music, children and leadership. As volunteers for GYMN, they should primarily be convinced of the ministry’s vision and mission.  Rina Miralles said that “I truly believe in what the GYMN people are doing to train and equip the youth of our generation. I can say that the GYMN staff and supporters give their time, effort and financial support for the very reason of giving glory to God alone. We are all created for God’s kingdom.”  Jonjon Bonso said, “I volunteered because I believe in GYMN’s advocacy to train youth leaders, I see that the staff are authentic Christians.”

3.  Helping hands

The process of publishing and sending the Youth Connections newsletter consists of different steps. The process includes the writing of the article, then making the lay-out, revising, printing, folding of the newsletters, inserting them into envelopes, addressing and finally mailing. If a single person performs all these jobs, it would take him/her more than a day to finish. That’s where the help of some volunteers come in and this is just one of those activities we do here in GYMN. Nan Peña said that, “In a ministry like GYMN, there are many activities and some may even be big events, during these times a volunteer’s presence is needed to lessen some work loads. The impossible becomes possible with the Lord. The little help we give, when combined together becomes a great help.”

4.  Finding joy

When volunteering for any organization, your joy in supporting them must always be considered. The idea of giving one’s self, without expecting monetary benefits, becomes more rewarding when you find joy in doing it. Grace Malicdem is a part-time worker that assists in the making of monthly financial statements. She, however, offers assistance voluntarily on areas outside finance. She said, “I volunteer because there is joy in serving the Creator through GYMN and in seeing the youth growing in Christ.” Jessa Tomale, a new addition to the circle of volunteers said that, “I volunteer because I enjoy it and it’s a way of using my time well.”

5.  Fellowship and Encouragement

The group of volunteers with some GYMN staff also find time to meet at least once a month. They watch movies, eat-out and play card games. During these times, they simply talk about their jobs, ministries and concerns. In the sharing of failures and victories, each one is ministered and encouraged. Most of the volunteers are young professionals, thus, they can relate to each other’s struggles and experiences. Rina Miralles said, “Although we belong to different churches, we are united in Christ.”

In conclusion, most of the volunteers here, came to know GYMN because they joined the youth leadership training. Volunteering can also be an application of the lessons learned from the material, particularly the concept of networking. Otet Macapagal said “I am happy to volunteer. Even in little ways, I can practice the lessons I learned from the training. It is also a way of showing my gratitude not only to the ministry but also to the trainers and staff who are fun to be with.” Nan Peña said that, ”I want to be a blessing to the GYMN people by saying ‘yes’ to volunteering in simple ways.”

—————————-

Related Posts:

I, Volunteer

Keeping Volunteers

This almost didn’t make it. Before the trainings had even begun, we actually placed down “cancelled” for the event as the key person coordinating the training in Puerto Princesa had a conflicting schedule the week before we flew into Palawan. So it was not even included in the plans going there.

And then as we were into our second training, Ptr. Bobot Almasco, of the Acts Family Church, who also just flew in from Palawan, learned it was cancelled and called up our contacts while we were doing the second training and he wanted to grab the opportunity to host. He was even willing to buy me a new plane ticket home as my flight could not be cancelled or re-booked. At that point the decision was in my hand, should I go home as scheduled or extend one more day? I wanted to go home but their eagerness to have me come and the thought that we never had a training yet in this area made me decide to stay.

So here I am in Puerto Princesa at 9:00 in the morning on the 23rd day of September.

This is where 3 days of youth ministry training will take place. It’s the Acts Family Church Youth Center, whose members have decide to make the event possible. And so by this time I am eager to meet the participants.

Although the invitations went out, with a few days notice and the seminar falling on class days, few other churches could send their youth workers. Most of the participants were from the hosting church (with two persons representing other churches). These were around 30 young leaders, the ministry they handled also known as Gangs for God, mainly because many of them were redeemed from the dregs of society, most being reformed gang leaders and members. I would later find out that they are also one of the most active and possibly biggest youth ministry in Palawan.

The center’s interior was a pleasant surprise:

They already had a purposeful youth ministry running! And as we were discussing goals and plans I learned they also had a clear goal to have a thousand active youth members by the year 2010. My role was mainly to help them make clearer the vision that God had already placed in their hearts.

Here they are going through the GYMN Sessions:

Chris called this a marathon training and by this time I am a runner on my second wind, running on automatic pilot. And it was great! A very satisfying and enjoyable time.

Related Posts:

The Best Unique Training Yet…

Training No. 2, In Roxas

I was with Pastor Alvan in Palawan for a very challenging and, as Pastor Alvan calls it, unique training. Some of the participants came sweating and catching their breath because it took them 4 hours of walking just to get to the venue. It was on a hilltop where you have a nice view of mountains.  One of the participants said that they came from the other side of that mountain, as he pointed to one of the mountains.

One of the times that I said ‘Amazing…’ during this training was after a morning session. The participants would go and look for wood to build a fire so that they can cook food for our lunch. It was my first time to experience this. We used a solar microphone, for there was no electricity in that place. We used a generator for the LCD projector to show videos we have brought for the sessions. Also a battery of a motorcycle was tapped to play their mp3 player for some songs during goal setting time.

I got excited to minister with these tribal young people. My heart leaped for joy whenever I would see their potential. And it overwhelmed me just to imagine how God will enable them to do mighty things so they can bring glory to the God of the universe.

We saw how the participants grew from the first day till they did their presentations on the last night of the training. Staff of the hosting organization commented that this was a big breakthrough to them. The students became confident in standing in front of a crowd. There were 40 young people who committed and prayed to work on reaching their purpose statements.

Maybe one of the reasons I love teaching the Ministry and Leadership session is because personally this session has a lot to say to me as a leader and as being a child of God. I had a very simple plan for my life. I would to like to work in a bank and make my family happy. But when God called me, He gave me visions of the greater life He had prepared for me. He took me out from the tiny world I was building for myself and gave me a world of wonder. He gave me a wide horizon to ponder His immense glory. He’s using me beyond what I am.

To be working in GYMN is a greater life for me. To teach in Palawan was another experience of the beauty of His Glory. To teach the tribal youth of Palawan was the best unique training I have had.

Psalm 139:16-17
Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.

“Do you have a missions mindset incorporated in your training programs?” I was recently asked by a fellow youth minister.

We are focused on training youth leaders… but missions is the drive. And that’s how it’s been from the start, ever since Chris came back from the Dominican Republic with the thought “Wouldn’t it be great to come back here again to teach others about youth ministry?”

I think it’s no coincidence one of the first things we talk about in our trainings is what we call the Great Commission of youth ministry. Or that we conclude our trainings on the words of Christ Jesus: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations.”

Our aim is not just to train, but to see those we’ve trained implement the lessons, and reach the point where they are also able to teach others who need it. And it’s not just a hope, we’re seeing youth leaders catching the vision and going beyond their comfort zones in the Philippines and throughout Asia.  Incredibly, the countries where we are seeing the greatest impact and proliferation of our training now in Asia are in nations that acknowledge the Gospel message the least.

I’ve been reminded of that mission focus again and again through the course of the ministry here. Just the little things, a short video shown in one session, an announcement by someone or a realization that I’ve just been with someone who can reach out to a people group I’ve only read in books. These make me realize how vast the scope, how small we are and how great God’s plan is that he would involve us.

And yes, it is great to be involved in teaching others beyond our local region about youth ministry.