I
serve as the director of Youth Evangelism for the Baptist General Convention of
Texas. In this role I have the wonderful
privilege of overseeing a statewide student leadership training camp called Super Summer. I oversee six weeklong sessions of Super
Summer on four different Baptist Universities with approximately 4,000
participants each summer. Also, I
promote and oversee annual youth rallies held around the state, known as the Youth Evangelism Conference, Hot Hearts
and Ignite. Additionally, my family and I attend a small
rural church near our home in Princeton, Texas, where I have recently begun
preaching on a regular basis.
I
believe the relationship of the Doctor of Ministry Program to my current
ministry will benefit me in three distinct areas. First, I purposely did not choose a
specialization because I desire to expand my knowledge in many different areas
of ministry. This is not because I don't
desire to remain focused on my current role in youth ministry, but instead because
I feel that having a broader exposure to ministry opens more doors and
opportunities for growth. After all,
youth ministry involves many different aspects of growth and spiritual
development, especially from the perspective of a statewide denominational
position. I believe this program can
help expand my horizons in the various fields of ministry, assisting me as I
influence other ministers and potential ministry students.
Secondly,
I have learned that I am a better person when I am being challenged to grow and
learn. I see my spiritual development as
directly related to how much I am challenged educationally. When I am learning, I am growing both in my
ministry and in my personal development.
Thirdly,
broadening my knowledge base and exposure to ideas can only serve to improve my
ministry. Education has a way of
sparking new and creative ideas. I
believe the Doctorate of Ministry program can serve as a catalyst to help me
see shortcomings in my current ministry setting as well as potential areas of
growth.
Personal Growth Goals
First,
I would like to more effectively develop my gifts. God has given me an ability to teach and
communicate His word, but I desire to become a better communicator. It is very easy to allow a gift to grow
stagnant and to become less effective.
Education, mentoring, and group interaction can help stimulate and
challenge my gifts, while also strengthening areas of weakness.
I
also want to be challenged as leader and minister of the Gospel. I believe God has given me the ability to
lead others. However, leadership and
team building is a skill that must be developed. My goal is to become a more effective leader
and team builder in my ministry setting.
In my current ministry I have the ability to influence many youth
leaders and students. I don’t take that
position of influence lightly and I believe this program will only enhance my
abilities to lead and effect positive change.
I
would also like to expand and approve my knowledge and awareness of ministry resources.
I can be a better teacher, guide, mentor, and author of student curriculum if I
have a greater knowledge in all areas and specializations of ministry and
personal development. I see my current
role as a facilitator of resources and ideas; thus, the more exposure I have to
new thoughts, creative methods, and services the better equipped I will be to
do my job.
Because
of these goals, I will be drawn to seminars that are focused on developing my
communication abilities, leadership skills, and expanding my ministry
horizons. In this first trimester, I
have enrolled in a team-building course for that very reason. I will also be
interested in courses involving ministry to teenagers. As one who oversees ministries directed to students
I feel I have much to learn in that area of ministry.
