YoungLife/WyldLife Leaders Retreat – March 4-5, 2011

I originally hadn’t wanted to go on this overnight trip to Southwind, preferring instead to attend the large protest against Publix that the Coalition of Immokalee Farmworkers was doing that same weekend in South Tampa. It bothered me that I could not go and show my support. I have often felt conflicted about what exactly it is that God desires for me to do and invest my energy in. Not being able to discern a clear calling on my life further complicates matters. I have a side that longs to be more of an activist, fighting for justice and confronting oppressive systems, while another side recognizes the tremendous value of reaching people one-on-one through smaller and more personal associations. This latter place is where I find myself, as I try my best to be a leader in the Walk/WyldLife. It is sometimes weird to be a leader in a microchurch that is at the same time a part of another organization with its own outlook on ministry and particular organization (YoungLife/WyldLife). I feel very much “Underground,” but I also sense this other, rather unknown, missional identity that is grabbing for my attention. I don’t particularly like this tension and balancing act, but I did leave this leaders retreat feeling much more empowered, adept, and connected to a group much larger than myself.

I went with three other ladies, they representing the University and Sulphur Springs area, and I the Ybor City Club. I am especially grateful to have met Mary Jane, who I could immediately tell was totally in love with Jesus, his mission for her life and the kids who he has brought into it. I was very much inspired by her passion, the experiences she shared and the advice she gave about joyfully following the will of God, particularly as it relates to doing ministry. She seemed completely at peace and filled with joy as she talked about Jesus’ work in and through her life. I realized how much I really want to live in that reality to a greater extent than I am. A reality where I am content with where God has chosen to place me and use me for his kingdom. After all, it is ultimately not about what I want or what I will to happen. At least, it should not be. I have again learned that God desires for me to stop holding onto control of my life and my future. It isn’t mine to begin with. I am not entitled to live a certain way or work a certain job or even serve Him in a certain ministry context. That is all ultimately up to Him and the sooner I realize and accept that, the better.



Even though the retreat was constructed much like a kids’ camp (aside from the inclusion of workshops) and had some rather immature elements in my opinion, I did feel like God was speaking to me through it. I remember the talk the first night about faith, referring to the story of the paralytic man in Mark 2. I liked how the speaker described the mission of YoungLife as being, “about Christ & kids, and bringing the two together.” I feel like that equally describes the purpose of The Walk. It struck me how the friends’ faith in this passage is so important to consider in this man getting healed and forgiven. For us as youth leaders, we serve as those friends who are faithful and act upon our faith in order to bring kids into the presence of this wonderful and gracious God, Jesus Christ. He asked a pretty penetrating question, “Are we leaders who tear off the roofs of houses to get our kids in front of Jesus?” And do we also humbly go to him ourselves, knowing that he is everything we need? I agree with the possibility that Jesus was probably laughing the day these men brought to him their paralyzed friend. He must have been joyfully smiling as they were destroying some other guy’s roof in order to see him. It really is as if something right happened that day. Where some might see this behavior as folly, we look to it as a lesson. Where can we be bold and act seemingly crazy on behalf of the kids we serve? I want us to not be afraid to tear some roofs off of houses for the youth of this city. Because for some of them, they will not get the opportunity to come face-to-face with Jesus unless there are committed and passionate friends/leaders in their lives willing to be creative and carry them all the way to Him.