by Samuel Rodriguez, Mid-America MOP

Imagine being in a district where you travel across multiple states to attend a service!

Mid-America District comprises five states: Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and a part of Iowa. Many of our churches are located in rural areas, and the distance between them can be hours. For our youth, attending a district event might entail a trip of eight hours one way. It goes without saying that serving a district that covers such a large geographical area can be challenging, but we have created innovative events that allow us to reach youth in all of our states, even in the most remote regions.

Cultivating Unity

One of the most significant goals I have wanted to accomplish as MADMOP president has been cultivating unity between our sectors and district.

In 2019, we started a new event, the “Vision Tour.” One objective for this tour was to hold sector district-sponsored services in churches where events are not typically hosted. We saw a need to visit our young people who may never have had the opportunity to travel for a big district event or who might not feel like part of the MADMOP family.

In November of that year, we had our first tour stop in Grand Island, Nebraska. The church members were very excited to host a district event; their hospitality and support for the young people of their sector were amazing. Due to COVID, we had to cancel 3 of the 4 tour stops, but at our next district camp, we saw an increase in attendance from our sector 4 (Nebraska) youth. We have continued to program the Vision Tour with a new theme based on the Apostolic Assembly’s national theme every year. This year’s tour theme is “Building Together,” which aligns with our goal of unity and growing the Church.

Cultivating Ministries

The second objective of the tour was to use people from within the hosting sector who might have never had an opportunity to participate and serve at a district level. We felt the need to cultivate and encourage those who serve in ministries at their local churches, including ushers, multimedia, and praise teams/musicians. We have been amazed by the large number of people with God-given talent in our district who have stepped up and served at these events. At every tour stop, we are blessed by the ministries God has given our young people.

In addition to the Vision Tour, our leadership team felt the need to work with the “Juniors 4 Jesus” leaders to help create a smooth transition for our Juniors as they moved into the MOP department. We noticed a disconnect between the incoming younger MOP and the rest of the group. Retention of our young people is critical when thinking about building God’s kingdom, and that includes our Juniors.

To build on this idea, we held a combined camp in 2022 and established the Mid-America Juniors and Youth Conference (MJYC) in 2023. At MJYC, the praise team and musicians group have representation from every sector in our district, and many participating members have served at our Tour services.

“For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News…” – 1 Thessalonians 2:4 (NLT)

As messengers of peace, we have been entrusted with the duty and privilege to spread the good news of the gospel. A phrase commonly said in our churches is “The youth are the church of tomorrow,” but I believe we are the church of today. Now more than ever, we need to own the mission of building the Kingdom of God together in one accord. Our hope is that the programming we have created for our MADMOP and Juniors is a framework that will help us all grow spiritually in our walk with God, and may we make a lasting impact in the world around us.

Blessings,
Samuel Rodriguez
President, Mid-America Messengers of Peace

Dwell & Develop

Challenges and Innovation in Ministry — Reflect on the unique challenges presented by serving in a large geographical area, similar to the Mid-America District. How can these challenges be transformed into opportunities for innovation in ministry, particularly in reaching remote or underserved communities? Can you think of ways your own community or ministry could innovate to overcome geographical or other barriers?

The Role of Unity in Growth — The Vision Tour aims to cultivate unity among different sectors within the district, reinforcing the theme of “Building Together.” How important do you think unity is in the growth of a church or ministry? What are some practical steps you can take to promote unity and inclusiveness within your own church or youth group?

Empowering Local Talent — The Vision Tour also focuses on utilizing local talent within the hosting sector, giving individuals opportunities to serve at a district level who might not have had the chance otherwise. Reflect on the talents and gifts within your own church or community. How can these gifts be better utilized or recognized to serve the broader mission of the church? How can you encourage or mentor someone in your community to use their talents for ministry?

Smooth Transitions for Youth — The leadership team addressed the challenge of transitioning juniors into the main youth group by creating combined camps and conferences. Why is it important to have smooth transitions between different age groups within the church? Reflect on your own experiences with transitions within church or ministry groups. What worked well, and what could have been improved?

The Church of Today and Tomorrow — The article challenges the notion that youth are merely the church of tomorrow, asserting instead that they are the church of today. How does this perspective change the way you think about youth involvement and leadership within the church? What actions can you take to empower yourself or other young people to take on active roles in your church community now, rather than waiting for the future?

Prayer, Word, and Edification — Emphasizing prayer discipline, engagement with the Word, and the upcoming Edify conference suggests a holistic approach to spiritual growth. How can you deepen your practice of prayer and engagement with Scripture? What new tools, strategies, or areas of ministry are you interested in exploring to edify both yourself and your community?

About the Author

Minister Samuel Rodriguez serves as president of the Mid-America District Messengers of Peace. Samuel lives in Oklahoma City, OK with his wife Loamy and daughter Ruth. He congregates at Templo Nueva Esperanza with Pastor Jonathan A. Cruz where he has served in various capacities including youth pastor and church administrator. When he is not traveling around the district or working at local church events, Samuel enjoys spending time with his family and exploring new places. Samuel serves the Mid-America MOP alongside Secretary Jared Mijares and Treasurer Jubal & Sara Avalos.

Connect on Instagram: @midamericamop