This past year, this group of Southern California youth Leaders began a conversation about school adoptions. Our passion is to see Every School and Every Student reached with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I had prayed for the day when the major players in the SoCal youth ministry world would come together to internationally and strategically begin a conversation of how we could be "better together" to answer the question, "What can we do together, that we could not do separately?"
Our passion for schools brought us together. Campus Alliance director Chuck Klein and I began to call these leaders to the table. We had leaders in the room who had never met together before.
The ministries represented included Youth for Christ, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Young Life, Urban Youth Workers Institute, Moms in Prayer, Gateways to Better Education, Christian Educators Association, California School Project, Camfel Productions, Urban Youth Collaborative, various denominational leaders and a number or churches. They represented "turf" from San Diego to Los Angeles.
As we continue to meet, we are developing new friendships and discovering the unique gifts that make us better together. We are intentionally being challenged by the opportunity to see schools in each county adopted by churches or ministries. "Adoption" is being defined as being PRAYED for, CARED for and SHARED with.
It's been exciting to see relationships being developed between meetings. For many, it's as simple as sharing a meal or a coffee with a partner. In fact, we feel relationships are what continue to fuel the movement as we move the ball down the field. Knowing each other and trusting each other is the key to being better together.
Mike Devito is the Southwest Regional Coordinator for NNYM and is passionate about working together for the Kingdom of God. Contact Mike here or follow him on Twitter @mk_devito