Traveling Thoughts

This post was originally featured on the Colocate Ministry Consulting blog. When I was in high school and asked what I was planning to do “when I grow up” my response would always be, “I’m going to change the world!” This might seem like a starry eyed, even naïve response to this question, but my confidence was the product of the youth leaders who poured into me starting at age 14. Not only did they encourage me to be an agent of change while still in high school, but they offered the space, resources, and coaching in order to make ideas a reality. This drive to “change the world” came from my very first mission trip when my eyes were open to a loving, liberating Jesus that calls us to be partners of bringing the Kingdom of the God here to earth. My 14-year-old eyes were open to this new idea and way of life because of a 10-year-old girl at the  Tijuana Christian Mission . During that week, I witnessed this young girl care for the younger children at the orphanage – reading ...

"I think we should stop asking people in their twenties what they 'want to do' and start asking them what they don't want to do." -Amy Poehler, Yes Please For the last 14 months, I have had the privilege to "come and see" and learn from the people of Faith Community United Methodist Church . I consider this past year a great journey of learning, development, and growth not only personally, but spiritually and professionally as well. I'm thankful for the Residency experience as it has been integral to my discernment and helped to clarify/affirm my call into ministry.  After much time spent in prayer, reflection, and conversation with my very patient  mentor, Randy Stearns and other trusted friends I am now (again) pursuing a call to Deacon's Orders . The Deacon's Orders to Word, service, justice, and compassion is intrinic to how God has wired, shaped, and gifted me. My niche for over 10 years within the non-profit sector, minis...

Some people never see injustice in the world or even in their daily lives. Perhaps it's because there is lack of education or understanding on how to recognize it? Or maybe it's because we can become too focused on our own lives? It's when we become inwardly focused on our own lives a blind spot is created to what's going on in our community, country, and around the world. It seems as though there is a natural predisposition not to see anything we don't want to, aren't expecting, or can't explain. Or perhaps it's an attitude of injustice is somebody else's problem ? Injustice can be ignored because it's not our problem? Or we hold this belief that someone else will handle it, we don't need to get personally involved. What if you found yourself not being able to ignore the injustice, oppression, and marginalization that people in our community, in country, and around the world face? It is my belief that awareness is the first ste...