A Summer To Remember
by Patrique Harris, Youth Ministry Director
Sold-out stadiums and concert venues across the United States for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and Beyoncé’s Renaissance Tour will certainly cement Summer 2023 as one for the history books. Yet, I posit that there was something even more special brewing in Wyandotte County this summer. Being the Youth Ministry Director at Mission Adelante, I am probably biased, but I witnessed something extraordinary in my neighborhood. I saw God establish a group of seven outstanding teenagers who used their gifts together to impact the lives of many in the Mission Adelante community!
At the end of May, shortly after wrapping up their school year, Lucy, Alana, Julissa, Adiella, Vanessa, Anisha, and Camilo joined the Mission Adelante staff as summer interns. Each of these teens has their natural specialties. Lucy is a thorough planner and musical by nature; Alana is practical and can command a team; Julissa brings humor and encouragement to teammates; Adiella is a mediator and enjoys being of service; Vanessa is creative and detail-oriented; Anisha is great at engaging others, especially children; Camilo is a dreamer and brings great enthusiasm. I liken the group to a machine, each intern being a distinct gear. Though different, all the gears ground together in a melodic rhythm to motor our ministry this summer.
One thing that caught my attention this summer is how other young people gravitated toward these interns. I almost always saw them with an entourage following them around. As such, I would impress upon our interns that they are true “influencers,” similar to Jesus. Their platform may not be quantifiable by five thousand mouths fed, overflowing stadiums with thousands of concertgoers, or millions of followers on Instagram and TikTok. Nonetheless, their very being still has sway and power! I believe God has entrusted our young people and these young leaders with Kingdom purpose. That said, it is unfortunate that many question their worthiness daily. Many youngsters are made to feel ineffectual, sometimes even by family, friends, educators, and other prominent people in their lives. So today, I encourage you to celebrate the gifts of our young people. Give them opportunities to use those gifts and assure them that though they may be young, they are mighty. Or, as we would say in Jamaica, “yuh likkle but yuh tallawah.”
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SEPTEMBER 9TH
Join our team of volunteers for the summer trimester and be part of "loving people from all places." Attend our volunteer orientation on September 9th and find your place serving kids, youth, or adults in the immigrant community in KCK
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