I know that it isn’t politically correct to talk about
armies and serving God or impacting a neighborhood in today’s culture. Yet, the
blessing for me is that I have an amazing gift from God who is like an angel
and an army of one in Jenessa our incredible intern. I have been blessed over
the last 3 years to have college interns from Arizona State University and
Grand Canyon University. It has made a huge difference in the impact we can
have with our kids, teens and grandmas. It has been a great experience for Anne
and I as we get to work with shaping the lives of these college students as
they get a better sense about their future, as they become incredible servants.
Jenessa reminds me very much of myself and Anne when we were
her age, except for the fact that we got married. Jenessa is someone that lives out her passion
for Christ in a 150% fashion! What attracted me to my Anne was her love for God
and willingness to take risks to see the gospel impact the world around her.
Our Jenessa is someone who has chosen to take risks and dive into the lives of
at risk youth that live in South Phoenix. What is incredible is that she hasn’t
let race, background, education or emotions get in the way of literally
adopting kids in our neighborhood and becoming big sister or really mom.
I have had over 20 interns over the last 3 years and few
have the energy, passion, commitment and patience like Jenessa. She has chosen to enter into the world of our youth,
which includes a lot of heartache, brokenness, bitterness and confusion.
Jenessa has brought a stabilizing presence to these youth who don’t have dads
and have single moms who usually are too busy to be with their kids and teens.
Jenessa has taken these kids and teens into her dorm and her parent’s home. She
has provided them with a sense of real love and compassion that will impact them
for a lifetime.
One of my passions is to help youth and adults get it and
see that you don’t wait for life to happen but you dive in and make life incredible.
It is too easy to make excuses about life circumstances. Most of our youth
don’t have good homes, stable lives or consistency with your typical life
experiences. Yet, I know that making excuses and blaming someone for your
circumstances doesn’t fix anything but only creates a monster that is very
difficult to be tamed. It is so easy to have an attitude that assumes everyone
is out to get you and that the world owes you everything. Jenessa is someone
who is facing this monster and overcoming it with the gospel of grace and
mercy!
I have prayed over the last 5 years for key leaders to move
into my neighborhood. Jenessa will be our first full time leader to actually
live in South Phoenix. We have had interns that have stayed with us the last 2
summers to help with our program. I know that the only way to impact a kid,
teen or adult’s life is to be around them all of the time. This is impossible
to do when you have to commute! God is the primary example of how important it
is to relocate or move into the neighborhood. This is exactly what Christ did
on our behalf. He left the glory of his heavenly home to come to our
neighborhood to show the real meaning of life! (John 1:14)
Yes, I believe in angels and also one man or I should say one
woman army. It isn’t any surprise that God can use a few to impact many. This
last weekend we did a painting blitz with 200 plus volunteers that painted 9
homes in a few hours. I am always amazed at how easy it is to accomplish much
when many are willing to step up. The only reason that many step up to help is
because there are a few, like Jenessa, who choose to dive in all of the way and
be the living example of God’s love and grace in a tangible fashion.
Anne and I are very blessed and fortunate to have our
servant leader Jenessa be part of our New City Barrio Nuevo family! We love you
Jenessa J
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