Open Source Youth Ministry

It’s been in the back of my mind for a couple of months now. I sit around thinking to myself, “Self, it’s really time you start putting in the time you need to for OSYM.” Well, it’s been a while, January 8^th to be exact. A lot has happened since then. Right now what I’m hoping to do is to just give some updates on what has been happening in the life of Marcus. There probably won’t be too much deep thinking in this article, but I’m hoping to expand on some of what I write about in some future articles.

Like I mentioned in my first article “Stepping Out” I recently moved to the Greater Vancouver area. As many of you know we had a little event here: The 2010 Winter Olympics. The experience was amazing. If any of you ever have the chance to go to the Olympic city–even if you don’t get to any events–DO IT. The atmosphere is tremendous. There was such a sense of nationalism; such a pride that can never be replicated. You are able to walk down the streets alone yet in the presence of friends.

I went to see concerts almost every night. The highlight being Matisyahu. If you haven’t heard of him [yet] I recommend you check him out. Quick rundown: Matis (Hebrew for Matthew) is a Hasidic Jew (you know, the beard, curls and all) who blends hip-hop and reggae. I know seems odd but trust me: it works. In his position, he has the opportunity to tell people about his beliefs, and it is not hidden at all in any of his music. I was also able to catch some live events too. I was able to go do a draw (a round) of men’s, and a draw of women’s curling. And just like the rest, the experience is unexplainable.

After all that excitement was over I made my way to Calgary. Ambrose University College invited youth workers from [Nazarene churches] across Canada [to come for a weekend (they even paid most of the way)]. While there we got acquainted with the new campus, had seminars with people relevant in the youth field, and were able to take part in a youth conference that was going on that weekend.

At one point, Pastor Stu Williams spoke and reflected on the missions trip he and his youth took to Swaziland. In particular he talked about an experience with one of his youth while there: A 14 year old boy whose world got shaken, and turned upside down. He ended it with the line “There are a lot of 14 year old kids waiting for God to mess up their lives for the rest of their lives.” It’s a line that I haven’t been able to get out of my head since. It’s pure truth, but how do you flip that kids life upside down? I don’t think that it is something that can be planned, but something that happens out of nowhere. I don’t know how to make something like that happen, or what would even initiate that process, but I do know that it’s something that would enhance life.