CBC Youth Ministry

I just studied 2 tim. 4:10 today about this guy named “demas”. and apparently he started off really strong…like followed Paul and watched him, but toward the end he was seduced by the world and ended up leaving the faith. How sad and tragic is that? How can we start so strong and then in the middle or towards the end say “He’s not enough…” My heart is heavy when i think about all the youth that come through our doors…because for the most part, they’re not even willing to follow Paul and start off strong. And if we can’t even get to that place then what…And as much as i don’t want to believe this, it is so evident in scripture that this screams out the truth. That many people play the game from the sidelines and many people start off but sooner or later – the worldly desires of comfort, the pains of life, the expectations of the Gospel becomes too much for us and we do not persevere.

Sorry for the rant but my heart is so bothered by this reality and what’s harder to swallow is that I can do everything i know how and still it is by the grace of God that people are changed. But then…it’s not frustrating because this IS the truth. And it’s not up to me, but the one who is ultimately more powerful than I. I am to play my part well and teach my guts out and pray that the Holy Spirit unveils their eyes so that they might not want the unsatisfying things of this world. May Jesus be praised.

hey family,

just wanted to check in and see how you guys were doing. Can’t believe it’s march already. I suppose you’re counting down till spring break…where you going? Well i know that DNow is done and over with but i just wanted to say again how proud of you i am for trying to own up to what we talk about. Like I think by your sheer example, you proved to the world that you don’t just talk a good game but live it out. But i’ll still encourage you to be patient with all people (esp. those who don’t act like us) why? because Jesus dies for all sinners (us and them) and we are to consider them first. Also, continue to live this faith out everywhere you go. Ok, dnow was a place where you see people you don’t normally see…so what, now own up to it wherever you go – school, mall, restaurants, etc.

Also, you know how we talk about prayer being the lifeline of our youth ministry? and how without the holy spirit moving nothing will happen. Well…there’s a prayer conference this saturday March 6 from 8:15-2:00 with food and stuff provided. So yeah…we need you guys to go because we desperately need God to move. Too early? Not fun? Don’t wanna go? Yeah…i know, but i hope that when you’re doing whatever else between those times you’re growing spiritually deeper and being challenged. So evaluate your motives for going or not going.

youth praise is this sunday…so bring your friends!

It was my first time being a counselor for any youth event and I can tell you that God surely did reveal some crazy things to me. I was asked by Stevo to help out at DNOW and my first initial response in the past would have been a straight up “NO” but during this past winter retreat at my church, words were spoken into my life to stop being a “child” in my faith/walk. I knew that when Stevo asked me to help out my reaction was to say NO but I told him that I would get back with him. Jesus just opened a door for maturity in my life.

A week before DNOW, Jesus was speaking to me left and right. I was scared of DNOW because I had to lead a small group and I had to be around youth. Every morning, KSBJ would be my devotion time because of my long commute to school. I was wrecken it up with Jesus: praying, shouting, crying and listening. The most powerful time was rehearing the song Walk on The Water by Britt Nicole. The lyrics:

So what are you waiting for?
What do you have to lose?
Your insecurities try to alter you

You know you’re made for more
So don’t be afraid to move
Your faith is all
It takes and you can
Walk on the water too

My reaction to this song was “dude, just do it….Jesus got your back.”

DNOW rolls around and I can say that it was FUN. I’ve never never ever had sooooo much FUN with youth especially at church. Why was it fun?? Because I was joyfully serving the youth whereas in the past, I would serve out of obligation and bitterness. This time, I was doin it for Jesus and for the youth. Let me back track for a second….I never knew why my testimony is the way it is or why I had to go through all this junk to finally see truth in Jesus. But at DNOW, it was made clear to me as to why my testimony is the way it is!! Let me add one more thing….Jesus is a RELATIONSHIP, not a religion. Can I get an AMEN!!

All right, lets fast forward to small group time…I didn’t have a lesson prepared so all I wanted to do was talk with my boys…not just talk, but talk about our lives. I was able to share my ‘Life Story’ aka testimony and I believe there was power and truth in what I said. Why? Cause I have been playing the ”Church Game” for 22 years and I was able to share many things that I’m not proud of but yet I’m not afraid of speaking about. I can tell it got my boys thinking. =)

Anyways, a few things God made known at DNOW was:

My heart for the youth….especially kids who ‘grow up in the church’. WHY? Cause I’ve been in your shoes before.
Where I see my future ministry in. Woot! Woot!
Why my testimony is different and yet powerful. Ask me and I’ll tell you whats up.

Ok, I’m signing off now, but I wanna end with a short story. During our last session at DNOW…..Jesus really made me laugh. So here it goes. This happened during ministry time when you guys were talking to Jesus or to the counselors. Us counselors were standing around the room….remember?? Good….I was praying for YOU youth asking the Holy Spirit to stir it up amongst yall. As I was praying and observing the room, Jesus told me to go pray with another counselor – Anh Nguyen. My heart said go for it but yet my body wasn’t willing to move. Then out of left field J Wong comes up to the mic and asks the counselors to go pray with one another. I’m thinking to myself “Jesus, you got to be kidding me…why you gotta be speaking to me like this.” I walked over to Anh and was grateful to have the opportunity to pray with another sista!

Peace Out

Peter Matthew Gor

Everytime i try to do things the way i think is best…it always goes bad. Whether it is ministry, relationships, money, happiness – they terminate on themselves quickly. do not leave me to my own depravity for i shall surely screw up my life and all that i touch. And if it seems like things are going well…remind me that it is only by your grace that i experience such things.

I pray for my people as well…for they constantly admire the world and neglect what truly is worthy. I know their hearts grow cold with every step against your will. So have mercy on them and expose their sin because of your love. Do not let them continue to chase their own desires – those that rob them of you and of their joy.

Would you change us? Would you draw us back to yourself? Help us individually and help us as your people.

I got back from a statewide pastors meeting yesterday. It was kinda weird. I think because i was the youngest one by 10 years and most of the pastors there were either senior pastors or they were english pastors that have been pastoring for about 15 years. It was mainly the “english-speaking” pastors in asian-american churches. Here are a couple of things that stood out:

1. I am so grateful that there are other men that i can seek wisdom and guidance from. I sat back in that room and listened as seasoned warriors talked about their struggles and victories and i thought to myself, “self…thats who you want to be”

2. it was truly beautiful to see different churches working together for the sake of the Gospel. And not just that but all of these pastors had a heart for the asian-american church and esp. 2nd/3rd generation. And typically we’re kind of bitter towards the older generation for neglecting us (i know…sounds selfish) but not these guys, they had a heart for ministering and relating to this generation.

In today’s Chronicle, there’s a reference to the Baptist North American Mission Board as a collection agency; perhaps we consider utilizing them as our conduit?

http://www.namb.net/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=9qKILUOzEpH&b=227361&ct=7805655

There’s a video on the CNN website that might be worthwhile to show – it’s 3:10 in length. There’s no graphic images (except for two makeshift closed coffins being carried by men), but the reporter’s comments may help our church understand the extent of the devastation. It’s under the video section, called “Misery in Haiti”.

The Chronicle has many articles on the earthquake (see below)….one may not be able to imagine how many children are now orphaned…

http://blogs.chron.com/believeitornot/2010/01/how_to_help_haiti_from_houston_1.html

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/top/all/6815584.html

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/world/6811879.html

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/top/all/6815657.html

http://blogs.chron.com/goodmombadmom/2010/01/help_if_you_are_a_mother_fathe.html

Nobody would ever say this out loud, but by the way we live our lives and our subtle actions we cry out, “I am smarter than you God!” We think we are mighty because we “control” or have “mastered” one part/area of live…and so we think and we sit upon our greatness.

…are you serious?!? Can you really brag about graduating with a 4.0? Do you really think you’re that smart just because you’re in so many AP classes? Just because you look “better” than the person next to you does that give you the right to belittle one of God’s creation and in turn think He’s a screw up? Do you really think just because you have “experienced” enough of life…that gives you the right to walk around as if you know it all? Are you serious?!?

We blame God for not doing this and we shake our fists at God because He does that. We have the audacity to challenge His wisdom and ultimately think we’re in control.

Job and his friends spends 30 chapters thinking that they are wise. After an entire book of jibber jabber God finally responds to them. And it’s this huge rhetorical question to Job and his friends about how much control they really do have. Like He goes “who has put wisdom in the inward parts or given understanding to the mind?” Translation – “What part do you have in giving people their brain?”

And so i’m worried…for you and for me. Because even though we don’t come out and say we’re smarter, we definitely live this way. We constantly neglect God’s command for our joy, we constantly think our way is better than His…if anything, we belittle His creation when we act as if we’re better than other people. I’m scared because Job got owned in the face by God and left just standing there. But for us…the challenge is humility. How do you really view yourself? More importantly, how do you view yourself in light of who God is? And then…how do you live in light of that view?

They want me to do well. They point and judge. I feel them stare with their thoughts. Why aren’t you perfect they ask? 4.0 4.0 4.0 That is the goal. That is the line of acceptance. Good grades – good college – good job – good money – good family – good retirement.

But i say school is not my idol. It does not own me. It does not define nor does it dictate my life. I trust God with my career and my path. Wherever God leads me I will go – send me into ministry, business, medicine…but not for me, but for You. Take my status and my wealth for i do not need it. If i have You then i shall be satisfied. Let me find heaven on earth. Heaven Heaven Heaven.

But I want to be comfortable. I want to get a good job and have what i want. I want people to recognize me. I want respect. I want respect. Tell me i’m smart. I work hard. I deserve it. Harvard Harvard Harvard.

I wake up at 3:30am in a pool of sweat. Nightmare? Nope. Apparently some time between 1-2am the power (and the water) was turned off in our hotel. I remember the first thing that ran through my head was, “What in the world is going on?” And of course my sinful nature continued to complain about how I was being tormented and the settings weren’t up to my standard. Haha…and i started to pray that God would fix the situation. Well, He did…but by taking a sledgehammer to my pride and selfishness. He just kept asking me how much I really deserved? And what is it exactly that I control in the world. And very quickly i was reminded that half the world doesn’t live in the luxury that we do in the states. That we have this perpetual thought that we “deserve” things. And if things were to happen “outside of our plans” we get all out of funk. And He gently reminded me that as “ghetto” as I think my situation is here…the locals here would consider this luxurious. Praise to Jesus Christ that He still loves selfish people like myself and that His patience doesn’t stop when we forget.