Christian community lived out....



Kids at club in Peñasco

What are the best examples of Christian community you've ever seen or experienced? I saw a great one last week that I want to share with you. I was in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico last week and it was really a blessing for me to spend time with Alberto Martinez and the team there and see their ministry in action. But what I think I enjoyed most of my visit was the time I spent with a group of junior leaders. This is a group of teenagers who have been involved in the Young Life ministry for a couple years now and are learning to be leaders for younger teens. This group reminded me of the importance of relationships and community in impacting the world with the gospel. Acts 2:42 talks about the early church and says “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” and I was reminded of this kind of fellowship by this group.





The Junior leaders. Nancy is in the back on the right.

Nancy Hernandez has been one key to their growth. Nancy has lived in the US and different parts of Mexico, but stayed in Peñasco to volunteer with YL because she feels strongly God has called her there. She’s invested a lot in discipling this group of jr. leaders—spending time with them, eating meals together, studying the Bible and discussing what Jesus means to them—and it’s great to see the impact that has had. She and Alberto have lived what David Platt talks about in his book Radical: “Making disciples is not an easy process. It is trying. It is messy. It is slow, tedious, even painful at times. It is all these things because it is relational….As we share the gospel, we impart life, and this is the essence of making disciples. Sharing the life of Christ.” This group is sharing Jesus and life together. It’s very clear they love being together. While I was there they had a Thursday night Bible study, led club together on Friday night, had a leader training and dinner on Saturday and then as that late night dinner wrapped up, most of them went to the Vida Joven house to play Monopoly together! There is a very real fellowship and love in the group that has impacted them deeply and has truly ‘imparted life’.

    Toño is one of the teens who has long hair and a real hard rock style, he says what drew him into Young Life was how he felt welcomed and cared for and loved just as he was—which had never happened for him before. Since he first arrived, he’s come to know Jesus and grown greatly. While he shared it was clear how much the love of this group has meant to him and excited he is that God wants to use him to share that message with other teens who are like him!
    Mikey and Denise shared as well about how they had heard of Jesus before coming to Young Life, but really had no idea what it meant to be a follower of Jesus and ask him into their lives until they were at YL camp. Mikey is so thankful for that moment when he was asked if he wanted to follow Jesus, because it introduced him to his best friend and has changed his life radically. Both Mikey and Denise couldn’t say enough about this group that has been walking and growing with them and what that has meant for their lives.   

      The real beauty of this group is that they have been transformed by Jesus and are now wanting to help other teens in the same way. These jr. leaders will be at camp next month helping lead cabin times with other teens and helping guide bible studies with them in the months ahead—helping others come to know the fellowship, love and peace they’ve found in Jesus. Disciples who are making other disciples—what a beautiful picture of what Jesus has called us to.

Leaders and Committee in Peñasco

Please be praying for this group in Peñasco and their camp in April, and also for Jenn and I as we travel to Costa Rica next week to support and train the international school staff and national leaders there.

Thanks as always for your prayers and support,

Scott