by Jarrett Meek, Founder, Executive Pastor/Director
One of my favorite things about the summer internship at Mission Adelante is our exercise time in the
mornings. Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays we all meet up at the Wyandotte High School track at 7:45 a.m. for 15 minutes of stretching and 30 minutes of running (or walking for those who prefer it). Since making disciples is as much about transmitting life as it is about transmitting information, I have found that it's critical to find ways to include those I'm investing in in my everyday activities. Jesus didn't call his disciples to come to his classes, he called them to follow him as he lived life on mission with His Father. This following included participation in extraordinary spiritual events , but it also included the most mundane daily routines like eating and fishing together.
So far our four summer interns are enjoying our exercise time together. Not only are we reaping the benefits of exercise, but were also modeling self-discipline and a healthy lifestyle; and we're spending relational time together which becomes the context for spiritual lessons. Surprisingly, our exercise time has become contagious! In the first week we've been joined by other staff members, kids, and adults from our community. Is this the beginning of Adelante Running Club?!
Discipleship is a life-on-life endeavor. As we walk with our interns this summer, this life-on-life discipleship is exactly what we have in mind as we include them in every aspect of our lives. This kind of investing is simple, but it's not easy. It requires letting others into our personal lives, our personal time, and our personal space in ways that we're not accustomed to in our private and independent culture. Please pray for our interns and staff as we are stretched this summer to do life in community and grow together in Christ.