Youth Ministry – MCGONZAGA

3 ways to Cultivate Spiritual Hunger

January 17, 2019November 20, 2019Posted in DiscipleshipTagged Campus Ministry, Christian Living, christianity, devotion, Discipleship, featured, Spiritual Hunger, Youth MinistryLeave a comment

How do we set up ourselves for greater desire for intimacy with God and spiritual growth? Or maybe do you desire to know God more and more in your relationship with Him? Would you want to experience God more than before? May these 3 ways help you cultivate spiritual hunger.

1. Ask for it.

Asking entails humbling ourselves before God, acknowledging that left to our own, we cannot do it. We need God’s power and grace in our lives to enable us to hunger and thirst for more of Him in our lives.

For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened. – Mathew 7:8

Spiritual hunger is something that we cannot manufacture on our own. Asking God is our starting point in all things, developing intimacy requires communication.

2. Develop Spiritual Disciplines.

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. – Hebrews 12:11

Starting new disciplines isn’t always easy at start; but it springs from a heart that is committed to growth and intimacy with the Almighty, not by obligation but of joyful delight. If God is of top priority, then daily spiritual discipline is nonnegotiable.

These are personal disciplines of reading and understanding the Word, reflection, prayer confession, and obedience to the Word.

The more we discipline ourselves, the more we know God, the more we desire for more of Him and growing in trust in Him. Spiritual disciplines are never the means to attain salvation but the means to get deeper in knowledge of God.

3. Preach the Gospel to self and accept it daily.

Our understanding of the gospel directly impacts how we live our lives and so are our misunderstandings about it. We need to be reminded of the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross and its implications. Reminding ourselves of the Gospel keeps us grounded to our own depravity. Accepting the gospel daily sets us free from our inadequacy and it enables us to live the life to full in Christ.

The gospel leads us to inside-out transformation.

As we end: let me encourage with this promise:

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” – Mathew 5:6 ESV

IDENTIFYING PASSION KILLERS

May 28, 2017November 28, 2019Posted in Campus Ministry, DiscipleshipTagged Campus Ministry, Christian Living, christianity, Church, Discipleship, Every Nation Campus, FAITH, featured, Jesus, LIFE GROUP, Next generation, Victory Christian Fellowship, Youth, Youth MinistryLeave a comment

While preparing for the message for the Youth Service, my good friend and fellow campus missionary, Roel Layug shared to me about passion killers among the youth in the church. What are passion killers? These are things that rob our enthusiasm and zeal for our faith and relationship with Jesus.

Ungodly relationships : Relationships that lead us away from our intimacy with God, causing us to sin and disobey God’s will. Godly relationships help us to value more our relationship with God and pushes us to honor Him and walk an ever increasing path of obedience to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Mike (not his real name), a student, came to know Jesus at our campus ministry. Realizing what Jesus did for him, he left his ungodly relationship with his girlfriend, pursued his relationship with Jesus, and is now one of our fruitful leaders – sharing the gospel in his campus and leading fellow students to Christ.
Unbelief : This comes from a heart that is not sold out to God, who He is, His ability, His promises, His unfailing Love, His forgiveness, His redemption, and His sovereignty. When challenges come, our unbelief can cause us to be overwhelmed by fear, anxiety, and insecurity. The only way to counter unbelief is to move in faith in God’s words and promises. When in doubt that God will provide, believe that everything comes from Him. When sickness strikes, believe God’s word for healing. When relationships are broken and dysfunctional, move in faith that God is able to change hearts and minds. When faced with uncertainties, hang on to God’s promises. Heaven and earth will pass away, but the word of God will last forever. Even in the midst of unbelief, God remains to be faithful and loving. Unbelief hinders us from fully receiving God’s promises and breakthroughs. The only way to counter unbelief is to hold on to God’s word, and that can happen when we commit to do our part of knowing God through the Bible, prayer and devotion, and a community of believers.
Voices we listen to – Nowadays, social media, society and peers makes huge influence in our youth; they set the trends of what is in or out, what is cool and what is out-of-the-date; and most of the time, these are the voices our youth listens to. First Corinthians 15:33 says, “Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character”. It is true that whoever we listen to or who we are with most of the time, influences us, whether big or small. I’m not saying that we must not be with them, actually we must be with them, like what Paul did, but we need to filter the things that is according to God’s word and that are not – this can happen if we soak and meditate in His Word. Ultimately the only voice we need to listen is the voice of God. To hear God we need to create that quiet environment for us to hear Him speak. When we know God’s voice we easily discern other voices that are not from God. God’s voice is redemptive, regardless of our failures, shortcomings and sins. The voice of God is distinctive, it loves you but it leaves you unchanged, accepts you, affirms you, comforts you, and secures you. What matters most is the voice of God than the opinion of men.

Every time I meet with young people and hear of their challenges, I ask these questions, What is God telling you? How is your quite time and daily bible reading? What is/are God’s word regarding the matter. As they faithfully seek God and keep the spiritual disciplines, our young people will remain passionate for God and the gospel.

I’m thankful to my fellow campus missionaries in Ortigas for sharing their insights about this topic.

Changed life| Christiane Bulawan

August 22, 2016August 22, 2016Posted in Campus MinistryTagged Campus Ministry, Changed, christianity, Evangelism, Gospel, Jesus, Youth MinistryLeave a comment

“I thought I was doing the right thing. I found joy and fulfilment in having same sex relationship and immorality. I didn’t care what people would say. I was happy with myself and my choices even if I was being bullied and being taken advantage of. All I cared was finding love and being loved specially by handsome good looking men.

But then the love and care that I was looking for was not enough. There was deep loneliness and emptiness that I could not explain. I thought I was living the life as it should be then I found myself in search for the real meaning and purpose of my being.

I rejected the idea of attending Youth Service in Victory Ortigas where I was invited. I came once and thought I already knew God and that was enough. I was constantly being invited and I would always make my academic busyness as an excuse.

After a year, I invited myself and showed up in the Youth Service. While I was standing up during the worship time I felt the presence of the Lord for the first time. I felt complete, cared and forgiven. After the service, a campus missionary approached me and connected me to a Victory Group and to a person who led me to grow more in my relationship with God. I did not hesitate, for deep within I wanted a change in my life.

It was during the one 2 one discipleship I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. My desires for flesh was still there and so were my struggles. As I continued my journey for my personal relationship with Jesus, slowly I found myself turning away from my old ways and God gave me new desires in my heart that honor Him.

Cristiane in the middle after his water baptism.

I finally found the love that I was looking for. Truly, only God can satisfy the deepest desires of my heart and I am grateful that He replaced those ungodly desires and continues to replace it with what pleases Him. His love is so compelling that I started to share the Gospel to my schoolmates and even to those who bullied me. The same Gospel that transformed me is the same Gospel that I am sharing to them; the message that brings salvation, hope and forgiveness that can be found in Jesus Christ. Indeed, the change has come in my life and it can happen to anyone!”

– Christiane Bulawan; changed by the love of Christ!

Christiane is now one of our Youth leaders in Arellano University – Pasig. Recently, he made a post on facebook status.

“I don’t want to be called ‘sis’, ‘gay’ or ‘bhesty’. Because that is not the identity God gave me. I want to be called ‘bro’ or by my real name. The old has gone, the new has come.” – Cristiane Bulawan

ONE CONFERENCE 2016

August 10, 2016August 21, 2016Posted in Campus MinistryTagged Campus Ministry, Discipleship, Evangelism, Every Nation Campus, Youth MinistryLeave a comment

Every Nation Campus Philippines held an event called ONE Conference last July 30, 2016 at PhilSports Area. 5,500 student leaders representing various campuses in Metro Manila participated.

Why ONE Conference? We are one team, one campus ministry, under one Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And together we are one in bringing the gospel in the campuses and communities.

Here is a short recap video of ONE Conference.

Mobile Apps | Youth Leader Starter Pack

June 12, 2016June 13, 2016Posted in Campus MinistryTagged #EveryNationCampus, christianity, Evangelism, missional, WorldChanger, Youth Ministry, YouthLeaderLeave a comment

As our Youth leaders’ are excited to go back to school, they are also excited to have their allowance back. But at the same time they are also excited to fulfill the Great Commission. What is the most basic app that would help them in their mission of changing the campus and changing the world?

1. The God Test

Because evangelism is a lifestyle, doing the God test is a great tool to help you engage your schoolmates. Start the conversation about God and join the global survey. The God Test App is both available for android and IOS users.

If you want to know how to do the God test, you can visit http://www.thegodtest.org, which has video guide on how to use it or you may approach your Every Nation Campus coach.

2. One 2 one Discipleship App

This app is designed to help you walk in faith those made the decision to accept Jesus as Lord and saviour.

Helpful features:

121 Discipleship Journey tracker ( helpful in tracker which chapter you last shared to your classmate.
Different 121 Language versions (includes English, Tagalog, and other foreign languages).

3. Bible app

Never go without this app, although you may be using the printed version when at home, this apps comes handy and on the go. Sometimes we are on the morning rush and don’t the time to read and reflect upon waking up, whether you are on the jeep or bus. You can still have the time to savour God’s words on the go.

There are so many app versions out there, I am using YOU version and bible.is. Both provides an option for audio, as the bible say’s faith comes from hearing the message.

4. Dictionary

This app is helpful not just in our academics, but even in understanding God’s word. As leaders we value understanding and clearly defined words.

5. Podcast

Victory App provides you podcast from your Victory Pastor preaching and sermon base materials. If ever you miss the preaching or want to hear other preachers. This app is both available in android and IOS mobile phones.

Another app on IOS is the podcast.

Old boring stroke

August 30, 2015December 24, 2015Posted in Campus Ministry, Discipleship, GalleryTagged Campus Ministry, Change The World, Discipleship, Every Nation Campus, LIFE GROUP, LIFE GROUPS, Make Disciples, Victory GROUP, Youth Leaders, Youth MinistryLeave a comment

No new strategy in reaching the campus, just the old boring stroke that perfectly work in reaching the campus and raising leaders. Week in and out we meet together to be discipled and to disciple for Christ. Sharing the gospel and leading students to bible study.

As the students grew in relationship with the Lord, they themselves take the lead in reaching their fellow students. Leading fellow student in One 2 one discipleship to discipleship groups.