Welcome

Hi. My name is Amos Simiyu, I currently work with the Kenya Youth and Young Adult Ministries Department as the OYIM Coordinator

What to Expect Today

Today I want to share with an approach that has served effective for me when leading a group of young adults in a missional initiative like that of OYIM. I just want to say up front this isn't a one-stop-shop approach and in addition I would like you take home the principles and develop a system best for your program.

First part we will learn about cultivating a missional culture for you (and of course your team) to best use every gift God has given you to the fullest. In the Second part, we will give a blueprint to how you can lead your task force into routine that can hopefully cultivate a missional culture.

Ok let's start with the "OYIM" Culture. I want to ask a question before we go on. On your worksheet, answer question A1. Define what being Missional means for you?

PART 1 - BEING MISSIONAL (OYIM CULTURE)

So, you have written down your personal definition of what being missional is all about.

Now that you have written down what being missional is for you, I want to do a little cross referencing from the Bible and other sources. Feel free to write down anything that you think is key in being missional. There is a blank space in A2 for you to put your note or thought.

The word missional comes obviously from the root word, mission. We all have an idea of what a mission is. It can be a call to action or an instruction or process for something become complete or whole. The noun we commonly use is missionary, it is the person who is on the mission or is following the process to complete the mission. But the word missional is unique because it defines the intentionality of the individual to do as called to do. We can find a sense of this in John 20:21, where Jesus visits his disciples after being resurrected saying "as the Father sends me, I send you."  So, God the Father had a Mission for Jesus. Jesus was missional whilst here, set the example and then passed the baton of his mission to us.

Let's take a quick look at the core of a missionary-like movement. The best place to start is.. Jesus. When I talk about Jesus, I want you to take into account everything that the Bible is as the Word of God. Remember - John 5:39 All scriptures point to me? We can see there is something intentional about how the scriptures were written and the lives of those who lived the stories we read about.

For us to be missional we must be living in a state of "intentional-ness."  You see, we can talk about Jesus, know all the stories, memorize texts and historical facts, and even be ready to debate in a forum, but if what we know, say, or do does not point to the reality and glory of Jesus, then we are far from being missional.

Notice how Jesus projects this intentionalness to his followers. Jesus didn't bring out a text book and had them all read it, but simply said, I will make you all fishers of men.You see, a true fisherman doesn't stay on dry land waiting for fish to come to him, to catch the big fish he needs to go to where the fish are, out on open water. So that is another key to being missional, we need to go where the people are. In today's context, we don't need to go far to live a missional- life (Remember pointing to Jesus), where God has placed you today at your school, office, business and where you live is open water and prime for "fishing".

So being missional is about you living your life intentionally with all skills and talents that God has blessed you with. The choices you make, where to live, where to work, where to study, how to you shop, how you travel, how to eat, what you say, and what you do must all point to Jesus. Let me share some quotes from the author and see if you can see the intentionality of Jesus with his life's mission:  [Christ's] work began in consecrating the lowly trade of the craftsmen who toil for their daily bread. He was doing God's service just as much when laboring at the carpenter's bench as when working miracles for the multitude.

The badge of Christianity is not an outward sign, not the wearing of a cross or a crown, but it is that which reveals the union of man with God. By the power of His grace manifested in the transformation of character the world is to be convinced that God has sent His Son as its Redeemer. No other influence that can surround the human soul has such power as the influence of an unselfish life. The strongest argument in favor of the gospel is a loving and lovable Christian.

For you, who are participating in the OYIM initiative, we play a special role within the youth & young adult ministry. OYIM's intentionality to how we train, impact the community and being disciple-makers will ultimately reflect our culture of being Missional. You now are the brand of the OYIM Culture, that in everything we do, the training, the leading, the mentoring, the socializing, the eating, the sleeping, the everyday-normal things, we do it all to point to our God.

Pause.  OK Let's take a few minutes to work on questions A3, A4 and A5.

 PART 2 - * DAILY ROUTINES

Creating routine is vital to your teams effectiveness. Depending on your task-force setup that your union plans to endorse- a full time or part-time setup, creating blueprint for a daily, weekly and monthly schedule can help you as you effectively coordinate the overall program of OYIM. Building a good routine is about integrating responsibilities with a healthy balanced time.

Attached to your worksheets are a couple of samples of planning out a short-term or long-term OYIM program. But to start, we want to focus on helping you generate a daily, weekly, and monthly routine. Before we do some group work, I want to share type of OYIM task forces there are. One is Full Time and other is Part-Time. You will need to choose which setup your Union intends to support.

 Full Time Taskforce

Let say that you fortunate to have a full time task force which volunteer can undergo training for a span of time. Usually this sort of setup will have a dorm-styled board and lodging, and most likely the OYIM evangelism project or Center of Influence is nearby. Creating a daily routine can help the volunteer manage their time and responsibilities accordingly. A daily routine can consist of exercise, worship, meal time, training/studying sessions, team strategy meetings,and  personal time. During the week elements such as a free day, group outing, and personal/team evaluation.

Part-time Taskforce

Part-time taskforce In many cases the serves most practical in regions that many not be able to sponsor full time volunteers. This scenario can work best for young adults who are be studying and working can dedicate a certain number of hours a week/month to the development training and in volunteering in the urban evangelism project.

Meet with your OYIM taskforce and share the strategic plan. Take a survey of best time for training, team strategic meetings, bonding time over a meal or recreation game, and of course spiritual gatherings. Keep in mind that not everyone lives or works equally from the same distance. You may need to change some of the plans and schedules of our strategic.

You will need to innovative in using digital tools to stay connected. Video or voice call prayer gatherings and making a group chats can be more practical for financial purposes. In addition planning a couple of getaway weekends with a training program is a great way for the taskforce to bond and learn together.

I personally see to it that on a monthly basis within the training period I have a scheduled one- on-one time with each of the volunteers to make an evaluation and listen. So yea, let's get in to some group work shall we?

Where to start?

As a group, I want you to create a daily, weekly, and monthly schedule that fits your context. Keep in mind which if you planning for a Full Time or Part-Time taskforce. Keep things simple and essential. You don't want to overburden your volunteers by having a tight schedule.

When you all done, play the next part of this video

So now you have a mission-perspective of the mindset in being part of OYIM, the OYIM Culture. in that we want to have a dna of being intentional with our lives and with the gifts God has given us. Hence, our OYM Culture is living missional. I hope that taking the time to envision and make a template of making a routine for your team will help you become a more effective leader.

Challenge:

I challenge you as leaders to do 3 things. 1. Keep the calling of Jesus above you. What i mean by that is you will come to obstacles in your training, you will have conflicts and you will have problems come your way, never let the trials that come your way affect your calling.

And 2. Remember that as a leader you need to lead with what you teach. Your team will see first how you lead and match it to what you teach. And 3, keep never forget to react with Love and compassion before you give a final conclusion.

Worksheet A: OYIM CULTURE

Worksheet B: OYIM Daily Schedule

Personal Profile One Year In Mission

Background Summary: Tells us a little about yourself. (Where were you born & family background)

Life Target: What are you doing and what do you want to achieve with your life?

Profile: Work experience and skills.

Academics: Highest education/certificates

Trainings: MasterGuide,Public Service, Health certificates... etc

References (3): Mentor, Church Pastor, Previous Employer, or Professor.

Ministries:

Give us a short summary of about any ministry you have created or active service in Youth Ministry. Include photos & web links if possible.

Summary:

Write a paragraph on your overall life mission to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to urban people.

Commitment Form One Year In Mission

The Application Process

1. All applicants will complete a OYIM Application Form and Interview with OYIM Coordinator.
2. All applicants will provide current contact information and three references.

 Church Involvement

1. OYIM applicant must baptized believers in Jesus Christ.
2. OYIM applicant is an active member or leaders at their local church.
3. OYIM applicant must be an Adventist member no less than 3 years.

 Program Involvement

1. OYIM applicant must arrive before the designated orientation date.
2. OYIM applicant must stay for the full duration of the OYIM program.

 Time Commitment

1. One-year commitment.
2. Daily commitment to programs, projects, and activities of One Year In Mission

 Be the Example

1. Be holy in all areas of your life – Your life is the life that our students will model.
2. Be a servant in all you do – Serve others as Jesus served: humbly, not forced.

 Personal Interaction

1. We want to avoid even the slightest appearance of any impropriety that could endanger our team, leaders or church.
2. You are to never be alone with the opposite sex. As the adult, never allow yourself to be put into this position by another person, volunteer, or leader.
3. You are not allowed to be romantically involved with a co-volunteer for any reason during the duration of the project.
4. You are required to report all inappropriate behavior to the OYIM staff/Youth Director immediately AND the proper authorities.

 Your Personal Commitment to One Year In Mission:

❏ am committed to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in my life.

❏ am committed to an ever developing relationship with Christ.

❏ am committed to a lifestyle that is God-honoring, Christ-centered, and Mission oriented.

❏ am committed to duplicate myself and mentor others to grow in excellence.

❏ am committed to attend projects, workshops, and activities.

❏ am committed to the leadership of OYIM Committee.

❏ am committed to serve within One Year In Mission for (1) one year.

Volunteer Reference Form One Year In Mission

TO THE PERSON COMPLETING THIS FORM

As an applicant of One Year In Mission Task Force, the person named below is required to submit a personal or work reference. Your comments are important; please carefully complete the evaluation and return the form promptly to the Youth Director: or send a digital copy to this email address .

This section to be completed by the applicant .

Applicant Name: Phone:  Address: Email:  Applicant Signature: Date:

This section to be completed by the referrer.

Ratings

1. How well do you know the applicant?

Checkbox Close Personal Relationship, Fairly Well,      Casually, By Name Only

1. Does the applicant profess to live Christian lifestyle?

Yes No,      Don't Know

1. Is the applicant's reputation consistent with the lifestyle described above?

Yes, No,    Don't Know

Please summarize your reference by checking your estimate on the following items:

On the basis of what the applicant can contribute to the One Year In Mission Task Force, I:

Highly Recommend, Recommend, Hesitate to Recommend, Do Not to Recommend

Additional Comments: