Life, Liberty (from school) and the Pursuit of Happiness: A Full Update

Last May, I had the excitement of graduating from Northwestern College with a major in Youth and Family Ministry. It was the end of my three years at NWC and was a very bitter-sweet time.

I loved college. I loved residence life. I loved being around students all the time. 

One of my biggest joys was doing youth ministry while doing school. I did this in two very different ways. I was volunteering, and eventually interning, at a local church but was also doing a different kind of youth ministry on campus with the very students I was living and learning with every day. College has people from all different backgrounds, family types and maturity levels—much like a youth group. Being on staff with residence life, I interacted with many students for many reasons on a weekly basis. 

I loved working on campus! I wouldn't trade it for anything. Living on campus as a senior? Not a problem. I have never been one to have a ton of close friends; I love meeting people and am very genuine in that—but I really desire to get to know a smaller group of people intimately. I found that group on campus, but more importantly I lived with my best friend for three years. I was set. 

Upon graduation, things changed rapidly:

—My best friend got married to a wonderful woman, who has become another one of my best friends. They are wonderful people and have continued to be an encouragement to me throughout the months since moving across the metro. (Living with me has something to do with marriage, as two of my other roommates and good friends got married shortly after leaving my room!)

—I moved into a full time hours at work, before actually moving into a full time position at the Geek Squad. I love my job. If you you've spent any amount of time with me you know my passion for technology. I have a watch that syncs with my phone to control the music across the room. My discount from working at the largest technology retail chain doesn't help! It has been really fun to work daily with the same group of people, and really get to know them better. School takes up so much time and energy, that I feel that I was missing out on getting to know who my coworkers were from not being fully present. That has changed, and I love going to work to do life with the people I now spend most of my time with.

—I worked at my church for internship credit. Part of the program with most all majors at NWC was to have 200+ hours of active time in your field. I was fortunate enough to intern where I have been volunteering for some time.

These students have been my life! I love working with high school students and trying to help them figure out who this Jesus is and what it means for their lives right now. They have been a blessing on me. As anyone who has worked with students will know, they are ministering to you in a very active was as well!

Shortly after graduation, the relationship that I had built with the staff at church provided me with an opportunity I could not have imagined. 

The junior high pastor needed a leave of absence for several months and I was asked to fill in his place. A very unexpected journey as I had not imagined leading a youth group so shortly after graduation. Although I have not thought I wanted to teach junior high, I've learned that the Lord likes to make you uncomfortable to grow more in Him. I accepted the position as Interim Junior High Pastor, got my keys and was leading Sunday School, Wednesday night program, and events within the next week! I was asked to serve for three months, ending February 1, just a few days ago.

I loved every bit of it. Although it was not a full pastoral position, as I worked closely with the actual pastor for event planning and logistics, I was teaching twice a week and having tons of fun hanging out and really getting to know the students. All the while still volunteering with the senior high another day of the week!

I learned so much from this time of teaching and developing students, things that I didn't even know I needed to learn. I was blessed beyond words for the opportunity to teach and lead and can only hope to continue to work with these students throughout the school year. The students that really took me in, and were willing to give me the time of day blessed me very deeply. I had a core group of students that came to everything that I could plan, and I appreciate their excitement and acceptance.

Although my time is done being "in charge" I have asked the senior pastor to stay on as some unofficial student ministries associate, so that I can really invest in the students; both junior and senior high. If I could quit retail today, and move into ministry full time I would. Financials and common sense will currently not allow that, but I am excited to see where the Lord is taking me.

He clearly has set youth ministry in front of me, and is showing me just enough that I can continue in that path He is leading me on. Following in faith is not hard. Following in faith implies 'following without question' which I can honestly say is one of the most difficult things to do.

The past three months have made it clear to me that I have followed the Lord thus far. It makes me so happy and overjoyed to be doing active ministry and am excited where He will lead me over the next three months! 

If you read all of this, you are a champion — Blessings on your day!

MB