I fear I may have officially hit "unc status"! If you need to look that up, then chances are you might be an "unc" too. "Unc," short for "uncle," is a new slang term I've been called more times than I’d like to admit. It’s often used humorously to refer to someone who’s getting older and may be out of touch with what's new and trending in pop culture. But, I don’t think that last part applies to me!
So, how did I become an "unc"? Well, I’ve reached a strange but wonderful point in my ministry at Mission Adelante (almost 4 years in now!) where the high school teens I used to mentor are now full-fledged young adults. They've become my true friends, my truth-tellers, and inspiration for my walk with Christ.
Enjoying curry together.
Earlier this week, I had the chance to break bread with five Mission Adelante apprentices I’ve mentored over the years—Ashley, Mikya, Innocent, Erick, and Alana. Over a delicious curry I cooked up (their words, not mine), we played an intense game of Uno (the frustrating “No Mercy” edition) and shared stories about how we’ve seen God showing up in our lives. With our busy schedules, we don’t get together often, so there was plenty of reminiscing: “Do you remember how moody you were as a summer intern?” “Do you remember when so-and-so had a crush on you?” “I can’t believe I got away with never writing an Adelante Express article!” I won’t name names, but you can imagine how much history is shared when you’ve spent years and years together!
As we spent time together, something became apparent. This confident, funny, competitive, and purpose-driven group of young adults was filling my cup, just as any friend would. They were now encouraging me just as much—if not more—than I had encouraged them. They asked about my goals and were genuinely interested in supporting me. They gave me advice and boldly shared their opinions. It was a clear shift in our relationship that I wasn’t expecting.
As a youth leader, it’s become clear that the relationships you build with teens yield more than just "remember when" conversations. They grow into lasting bonds—proof of the deep connections formed when you truly invest in someone. These young leaders, who were once learning from me, are now teaching me. Whether it’s the latest slang, life insights, or simply the joy of their presence, they continue to shape me. It’s a beautiful reminder that when we invest in others, we never truly know how they will impact us in return.
We continue to be moved by the generosity shown in the past few months. One of the core values of Mission Adelante is Interdependent relationships. Your partnership helps relationships like the ones you just read about continue to grow deeper. We are nearing the end of our We! Campaign, identifying 50 people who will provide $100/month in new support. If you’d like to support this goal, you can give online.