In many ways I see myself much like St. Patrick meeting the people where they are, dressing as they dress, associating with the people on their level. As a youth leader, now and in the past, it’s been a major part of my ministry to meet students where they are. It has been my hope that through the fellowship and interaction outside the church settings, that God will become a presence in their lives through the everyday activities.
...
Because my students need to first learn what it means to seek God daily, every minute of every hour. My students need to first understand that our God is a God of presence – that God is in everything we do, in every person we meet. God sought us out personally, sending His son to live among us, to be one of us.
...
Henri Nouwen wrote, “More and more, the desire grows in me simply to walk around, greet people, enter their homes, sit on their doorsteps, play ball, throw water, and be known as someone who wants to live with them” (http://www.franciscanmissionservice.org). In this I see my own ministry, modeling the ministry of Christ, in simply being where my students are. It is through being with my students, through being with other Christians that I learn to see Christ in others. It is through this that I also learn to be Christ to others. It is through this that I hope my students will equally learn to see Christ and be Christ to others in their lives.
So, why do I focus on a ministry of presence?
...
Because my students need to first learn what it means to seek God daily, every minute of every hour. My students need to first understand that our God is a God of presence – that God is in everything we do, in every person we meet. God sought us out personally, sending His son to live among us, to be one of us.
...
Henri Nouwen wrote, “More and more, the desire grows in me simply to walk around, greet people, enter their homes, sit on their doorsteps, play ball, throw water, and be known as someone who wants to live with them” (http://www.franciscanmissionservice.org). In this I see my own ministry, modeling the ministry of Christ, in simply being where my students are. It is through being with my students, through being with other Christians that I learn to see Christ in others. It is through this that I also learn to be Christ to others. It is through this that I hope my students will equally learn to see Christ and be Christ to others in their lives.
So, why do I focus on a ministry of presence?