Back to basics

 I  had some time reflect these past 2 weeks about this blog and where I'm going with it. This year I want to focus more on our raw experience with ministry here in Forks Washington. Why? well we didn't just decide to move here on a whim. We answered a call and in the midst of life, family, good seasons, and hard season this is our call. Also I want it to encourage people : )

Family and ministry go hand in hand and balancing both is hard work. I can only speak from that perspective. For singles I'm sure theres challenges but either way the fact is there is JOY. Ministry is such a church word but basically It just means to serve where Christ has called you. ( MINISTRY: IS FROM THE GREEK WORD DIAKONEO MEANING "TO SERVE") My example is when Jesus was here on earth he came not to receive service but gave it. (Matt. 20:28, Mark 10:45 John 13) So my conclusion is we are all called to minister to others as a lifestyle with love and humility on Christ's behalf. Just to let you know this is highly impossible without the Holy Spirit. That seems like a "duuuuh" kind of statement but I've learned this lesson first hand. I'll be the first to tell you I'm selfish and really don't like people as much as I thought BUT when you allow Jesus to do the work within you OMG no wonder why he gets all the Glory b/c really theres nothing good in me. Ya we can feed a homeless guy and some of us have the gift of compassion more than others but to live a lifestyle of loving the unlovely without a work of the Holy Spirit...no way. Ok back to ministry I also believe you can do this at work, school, wherever life is for you. Not just through church like I said wherever God has specifically called you. Our call just happens to be here in washington a million miles away but hey it could of been africa anyways im still growing. (I said raw remember and I'm far from cookie cutter lol  so bear with me)

So here are some things we've learned and experienced in our first year of serving:

PRAYER is necessary

Fellowship is key

Jr. Highers are awesome!

Highschoolers are too cool for EVERYTHING! lol

Whatever the result trust Jesus

If God has entrusted you with family make sure you tend to them.  1 Timothy 3: 4-5

Being flexible is important

Spirit led conversations are life savers b/c my mouth gets me in trouble.

The accountability that comes with this is incredible : )

God does have my best interest at heart but sometimes he does say no and then you learn how human you are.

Nothing is impossible with God

 My God is intimate and FAITHFUL (do you know how many things we "planned"  and all went wrong and I believe God just wanted to show us a tangible faithfulness )

Thats just a few things I could go on but this is already pretty long.

Our vision for this year: Is to see the group of kids we have right now grow together and teach them how to think outside the ''christian box" answering questions there peers have about God and evolution grounding them in the word. To make a difference in their community. I've learned jr higher are pretty much involved in there own little world and thats about it but they are so beyond capable of doing all of the above with passion and desire. I love each one of them like a sibling and I'm thankful for them in my life : )

 Our current status: We've been working closely with some other youth leaders in town through Young Life. Young Life is an outreach to teens in the community. You get to build relationships with them and hang out. It's been really fun and even more fun getting to know the other youth pastors and leaders : )

Prayer Requests: I'm going to the Highschool today with a friend to hand out flyers for young life tomorrow. We want divine appointments and for Michaels work schedule and the desires of his heart as he faithfully tends to his family and kids under his care and the desire to reach out more.

Thank you for all the support and prayers we love you all

-Mike and Jen Aceves<3