It is amazing the difference a year makes. One year ago when we were preparing the
proposed budget for 2008 it did not include even 1 cent for youth
ministry. We were still playing catch-up
financially and budgeting according to urgent present needs. While we were blessed to have some youth
attending morning worship, we had no youth ministry strategy or
leadership. It was understood that those
issues would have to be addressed at some point in the future.
It has
become very clear that the future is now.
First Baptist has continued to grow steadily. Nowhere has this growth been more apparent
than in youth ministry. Early in 2008
Zac and Jess Cannon stepped up to lead a ministry to Jr. and Sr. High
students. While not having any formal
youth ministry training, it became immediately evident that they possessed the
intangibles for effective ministry to students:
love, patience, passion, the ability to connect with youth, a growing walk
with Christ, and a maturity beyond their years.
What started as a once a week gathering of both Jr. High and Sr. High in
homes has become a Thursday night Sr. High ministry and a Sunday night Jr. High
ministry. The former nursery in the
educational wing has become a youth center with a big screen TV (donated),
retro furniture, video games, and snack bar (Can I be a youth again?). But most importantly, Zac and Jess are
communicating an authentic love for Jesus and providing prime examples of what
it is to be a follower of Christ. All of
this has taken place in less than a year while Zac has juggled a busy schedule
as a full-time student, part-time employee, and full-time husband.
I cannot say enough about the
impact Zac and Jess have had on this church.
Their energy and enthusiasm has been contagious. That impact is also being felt in this
community. Zac has already developed
strategic relationships with other youth ministry leaders in town including the
leadership of Young Life. He is
recognized as a valued member of the youth ministry community in the Ojai Valley.
Personally, I have been greatly encouraged by
the fact that the more that Zac becomes immersed in youth ministry, the greater
is his desire to do more.
The Finance Committee and Deacon
Board have recognized this strategic time and the valuable resource that God
has provided us in Zac and Jess Cannon.
We think it is important for the First Baptist Family to make an investment
in this couple and in the growing ministry to students at First Baptist. Therefore, the proposed 2009 budget reflects
$400 per month for a part-time youth director.
This amount is enough to take the place of Zac’s part-time job, freeing
him to give a greater focus to the student ministry at First Baptist.
What a difference a year
makes. What will the impact of First
Baptist look like when we approach 2010?