Running with Perseverance: Midweek Ministry

Things at our church, First Baptist Church of Belen, have

been heating up since our New Pastor David Guerrero arrived

this last September. Every week I am seeing our members be

reignited with passion and fire for what the church needs

to be about. We are refocusing on what our mission is and

week by week it is so exciting to see our church transform

into the Acts Church.

Our Youth Minister Sean Farrell has a vision for ministry

he calls his mission "Hands and Feet". We are to be Christ's

hands and feet. We are to do for others what they cannot do

for themselves and love them like Christ loves them. When

people look at us as believers, they should wonder why we

are different and Sean is working diligently to instill these

core values into our youth. Our desire is that our church would

be about service to those in need. Getting out in our community

and making a difference and that is what we are doing!!

A turn of events on Presidents day brought about a huge

opportunity for our youth group and another youth group

from a fellow church! The plan was to go to White Sands

for a day of fun in the sand. But poor weather conditions at

White Sands ended the trip. Pastor Sean said he started to

think and pray for an alternate plan for the youth. Then it

came to him! The previous day he had spoke with a gentleman

by the name of Rex Lewis. Rex Lewis and his family lost

their home to a fire just a few weeks ago. Our church had

already been out to help with the clean up but there is still

lots to be done to prepare for the rebuild. Pastor Sean had

told Rex he would assemble a team and come out again soon

to help. Sean realized he had a large group of teens and youth

workers at his disposal so he pitched his idea to the adults and

then the teens. Most were on board and very excited about

the service project. Of course there were a few of the teens who

Sean says "were not excited about the not having fun," and they

went home. Little did they realize what they were going to miss

out on!

The workers piled into the vans and headed over to the Lewis's

and started working. Several of the youth I have talked to said

at first it was quiet and everyone was a bit somber but then

the singing started and creativity in the clean up and silliness

and fun ensued!

Some comments about the days events were:

- "Honestly, not only did yesterday rejuvenate me, but it turned out

SO much better than I had planned. All in all, I am so grateful that

the day turned out like it did instead. Where not only were laughs

present, but that of which matters, acting and serving out of love and

devotion. Plus, it reminded me that we may have our plans, but His

are always better." Miranda Lucero

- "I just have to say it felt amazing to help " Mystie Sky

- "Our students lit up Facebook with how much fun they had and how

good they felt helping." Pastor Sean Farrell

- " I think it was a GREAT change of events and some of the students

even agreed. I spent time with two last evening and they mentioned

it was so wonderful to be in service to others in the Kingdom

than just to themselves. They had a great time of fun and silliness,

too! It is always such a blessing to give oneself away. I was proud

of the work the kids did and how well they did it, too."

Venetia Yates -Youth Pastor

- " I think we youth should do more service projects like that. I think
that's what we're supposed to be doing. Going to concerts and doing
fun things is nice, but so many kids don't realize how important these
things can be to someone else. I know yesterday, God was definitely at
work. I noticed a few things that happened to me yesterday, that might
not have happened if we'd spent all day down at White Sands. Of course,
God works in so many ways and through so many situations." Katie Alvarez