Teens Ministry IEC Singapore (Feb '12)

I've always talked about our teen ministry but never showed pictures. We took a group photo last month but I just got it today. Super excited! :)
HERE WE ARE!!! It's me with some of the youths who are serving altogether with me, and the teens themselves.

"...Jesus said to Simon Peter,“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” 
He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” 
He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 
He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” 
He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” 
He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 
He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” 
Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” 
Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) 
And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”
-John 21:15-19 (ESV)-


Later Peter wrote...
"So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory."
-1 Peter 5:1-4 (ESV)-


Lastly, Ita, remember that Peter died as a martyr... 


To pastor is to follow Jesus... to suffer... and be rewarded with glory...


I tremble...

The Blessings of Teen Ministry (part 2)

The church's teen ministry is growing in numbers. We started with 11 people on April last year and starting this February the average weekly attendance is 35 people. We realized that as the number grows we have to change the system. And we did. It was smooth and manageable, but it doesn’t come easily, at least for me. 

Since there are more people, there are more responsibilities and demands, and it started to take lots of my time and energy. I realized that I need to start delegating some major responsibilities to others. For me, it is not easy. There were many times I was hit by doubt. I was thinking, “Should I let them do this? Will they be able to do it? Can I trust them?” I was struggling. It is not just a matter of changing a system, but it is about trust. I was struggling to trust others. I’m afraid something will go wrong and I will be held responsible for what others do. 

In times like this, God really taught me to trust and to let go. I started to change the system, which means giving greater responsibilities to the teens. I realized that trusting others can also means trusting that God will work through them, that He will enable them. Change can be worrisome, but I learn to let go and to accept responsibilities should things go wrong. 

While I learn to trust others, I also learn that trusting others also comes with wisdom. I am grateful for the past 10 months that the church gave me to be with the teens. They released me from other responsibilities that would clash with teen ministry. I got to spend a lot of time with the teens and it enabled me to know them personally. Knowing them well helps me in making decisions about who to trust and when to start letting them take the responsibility. I really believe that God is with me throughout the whole process. 

There are times when some of them did not take it well, but God has assured me to be patient and be with them in times of failure until one day they are fit for the responsibilities. But most of the times I was actually at peace, knowing that most of them are taking the responsibilities very well, even beyond my expectation. Some of them take initiatives to provide feedback, ask for counsel, and even do an extra mile. I thank God that He gave me the courage to trust them. 

When I see some of them taking the major responsibilities very well, I sometimes wonder, “Maybe I should let them take the responsibilities much earlier!” I think I need to be more courageous in letting go and trusting others :)

Inspiring Movies: "The Help" and "The Lady"

Left: real poster, Right: movie poster

One word for both: COURAGE. They are courageous women who are willing to step out and do something to make a change in their country.

Next on my list: The Iron Lady :)