Camp is one of the biggest youth events for Disciples of Christ United at Union Church of Manila. We expect 50-60 students to come to camp. As part of preparing for camp the leadership team went on an “ocular” a couple weeks ago. The purpose of an “ocular” is to test out or see how something might work for a future event. My friend, Edric is running camp this year and he asked me to be the “intern” for camp. In a sense, camp is my Ocular for next year. As I mentioned in my last newsletter, I feel God calling me stay one more year in the Philippines in a different role with the youth program at Union Church. When I accepted the job at Project Pag-asa I never expected to find such a great community. Three years ago when I graduated from college I did not see myself living in the Philippines for two years but now I have the opportunity to stay for another year. As I reflect God only revealed part of His plan when He called me to Project Pag-asa, asking me to trust Him and with the rest.
Many of you may not know that before I applied to GoCorps/Teach Beyond, I considered going to school for youth ministry. Amy Allen describes the internship at Union Church this way: “God has put a vision in us to reach every teenager in the Metro Manila area with the Gospel and to connect them to a Biblical community. It is our desire for God to raise up Godly men and women who are considering vocational youth ministry to participate in an internship program at UCM through our youth ministry, Disciples of Christ United. Our goal is to provide ministry exposure, training and opportunities to these men and women in an attempt to see God unleash them in their giftings across this city and in turn, be equipped to move on to another youth ministry/city to reach and connect teenagers to Christ.”
As of now, there are two start times for the intern, in May and in August. I hope to start in August. I am planning to come home in May then return in August for one more year.