What If? Urban Leaders Were Fully Equipped Pt. 3
Discipleship that Inspires Perseverance
While dealing with mental health challenges, Jesse Lobato dreaded leading Wednesday nights. It felt like no one wanted to be there, and because of the pandemic, they were teaching more than just the Word of God. Without realizing it, they were teaching the youth how to socialize again and how to re-engage within a community. One night, after a series of challenges, one of his young students came running in and hugged him. Kamille, now a sophomore, is one of the students that Jesse started with as a youth pastor and one of the students that he will see all the way through the youth ministry program. Her hug took him by surprise, but it was as though God was saying that all the difficult things he was facing would be okay.
Jesse and his wife were not particularly close with Kamille at the time. She was not highly involved even though her family was at the church for a long time already. As time passed, he would occasionally have conversations with Kamille. They would primarily talk about social media Vines, sparking a cool pastor-student relationship. However, that is the extent of which they knew one another. Encouraged by something he once heard about sometimes needing to invite yourself into community, he and his wife spoke with Kamille’s mother about coming by for a meal together. After one breakfast at Kamille’s home, their families have been connected ever since.
While in his UYWI Certification Program, Jesse was encouraged to start All-In Student Leadership, a student ministries team. He was not sure who it would consist of, but he felt called to simply start and see who was willing. He was committed to pouring into those that signed up. It turned out that only the middle school students signed up, two sixth graders and two eighth graders, one being Kamille. Through that context, he would connect with Kamille further through conversations surrounding God. At one church event while doing student drop off, Kamille asked if Jesse could be all the students’ dad. It was a statement that struck him off guard, but it was one she would say often. In one occurrence, Jesse realized all the students in the car had father issues. In this, God showed Jesse his role to these students was in part being a father-like figure.
Now, Jesse did not take that responsibility easily as he listened to a UYWI podcast about spiritual fathership and how it can actually become a bit toxic with pastors. So, he allowed them to say that about him without further encouraging it. However with Kamille, this role became more natural as he and his wife would grow closer with her and her family. As they have done more life together, it has encouraged deeper conversations about Christ and life.
Over time, they have seen Kamille grow an authentic relationship with the Lord. When they first met, Kamille did not know much about church. Her grandma was a prayer warrior and she attended church with her mom, but while at church Kamille would just stand there. It was through UYWI that Jesse was inspired to simply do life with the students around him. In doing so, he has seen Kamille grow in her journey with Jesus, finding a routine with Christ, and now able to lead others in the church.
A couple of months ago, after camp, Jesse encouraged students that they needed to worship God both at camp and at home. His heart is that they would not have encounters at camp but then not live out those transformations at home. Kamille was struck by these words. A few weeks after camp, Jesse saw Kamille engaging in worship, praying over kids at the altar, and connecting in both the small and big things at church. He could see changes within her and deep spiritual strides.
Not long after going to camp, Jesse got a text from Kamille. She was scared she would be one of those kids that would lose steam after camp. She was filled with distractions of life with school and activities. He shared the conviction in her was good and that it was in and of itself was an answered prayer. Through his and his wife’s investment in Kamille, she has been able to see a model of what life with Jesus looks like, what it is to work through doubt, and how to seek answers to those questions. Their discipleship relationship has sparked faith in her to have her own relationship with Jesus.
WHAT IF? …Jesse did not listen to God telling him to just show up and that He would always be with him. It is through that journey of commitment to youth ministry, even in the most difficult seasons, that God worked through Jesse and changed students’ lives, like that of Kamille. Three years later, Jesse looks at the growth in Kamille and other students like her, and he sees God doing big things. Today, more than ever, Jesse is confident that God is big enough to take care of him and his ministry both. It does not have to be just one or the other.
When Jesse first started the student leadership group, he went in with the mentality that those middle schoolers had the power to change the ministry. That is exactly what they did. Through their growth in Christ they have both exemplified and invited others into a Christ-centered leadership journey.
Please pray for young people, like Kamille, who are standing on the sidelines and all they need is a leader to reach out to them. Pray for leaders that are reaching and discipling these young people every day for the sake of the Gospel.
As we launch our year-end campaign, our aim is to raise $550,000 by December 31st. This will ensure we continue equipping the next generation of urban leaders with the tools, knowledge, coaching, and networks to reach more youth with the Gospel. We invite you to join us in this life-changing work.
Would you prayerfully consider making a special year-end contribution to support our mission of developing youth leaders who disciple young people with the Gospel? You may do so here on our website at uywi.org/donate.
WHAT IF? …urban leaders were fully equipped to reach and disciple more youth?
Thank you for your continued partnership and support to continue to reach youth with the Gospel.
With gratitude and hope,
TOMMY NIXON, CEO
Urban Youth Workers Institute
As we continue in our year-end campaign, our aim is to raise $550,000 by December 31st. This will ensure we continue equipping the next generation of urban leaders with the tools, knowledge, coaching, and networks to reach more youth with the Gospel. We invite you to join us in this life-changing work. Would you prayerfully consider making a special year-end contribution?
WHAT IF? …more leaders were equipped to reach the next generation with the Gospel?
WHAT IF? …YOU made the difference?