{"id":16523,"date":"2017-11-09T18:30:48","date_gmt":"2017-11-10T02:30:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/?p=16523"},"modified":"2017-11-14T10:55:43","modified_gmt":"2017-11-14T18:55:43","slug":"how-can-we-nurture-future-leaders-in-their-spiritual-calling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/how-can-we-nurture-future-leaders-in-their-spiritual-calling\/","title":{"rendered":"How can we nurture future leaders in their spiritual calling?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>By <strong>Jesse N. Love<\/strong> | Photos by <strong>Pastor Dione Corsilles,<\/strong> <strong>the Rev. Elmar de Ocera<\/strong>, and <strong>Aaron Pazan<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Also read:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gbhem.org\/article\/exploration-event-guides-young-adults-path-toward-church-leadership\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>\u201cExploration Event Guides Young Adults on Path Toward Church Leadership\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/what-are-we-called-to-do-whats-next\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>&#8220;Refracting New Light&#8221;<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_16535\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16535\" style=\"width: 900px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-16535 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/IDEAS_Exploration2017_5.jpg?resize=696%2C464\" alt=\"\" width=\"696\" height=\"464\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/IDEAS_Exploration2017_5.jpg?w=900&amp;ssl=1 900w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/IDEAS_Exploration2017_5.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/IDEAS_Exploration2017_5.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/IDEAS_Exploration2017_5.jpg?resize=696%2C464&amp;ssl=1 696w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/IDEAS_Exploration2017_5.jpg?resize=630%2C420&amp;ssl=1 630w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-16535\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lynne Onishi (center) gathers with friends at Exploration 2017. Onishi is one of many young people exploring a call to ordained ministry.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Portland, Ore.<\/strong> &#8211; \u201cAs a senior in college, I am frantically searching for my calling and my purpose in preparation for life after graduation. I have been blessed with different opportunities, friends, and mentors who have helped me look deeper at ministry work,\u201d shares <span style=\"color: #808000;\"><strong>Lynne Onishi<\/strong><\/span> of <a href=\"http:\/\/blaineonline.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church<\/strong><\/span><\/a> in Seattle.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_16537\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16537\" style=\"width: 338px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-16537\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/IDEAS_Exploration2017_2.jpg?resize=338%2C226\" alt=\"\" width=\"338\" height=\"226\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/IDEAS_Exploration2017_2.jpg?w=600&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/IDEAS_Exploration2017_2.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 338px) 100vw, 338px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-16537\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">About 300 young people were in attendance at Exploration 2017.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Onishi is one of many young adults from around the United States who attended <span style=\"color: #808000;\"><strong>Exploration 2017<\/strong><\/span>, an event led by <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gbhem.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\">The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM)<\/span>.<\/a><\/strong> This event was held at the Marriott Portland Downtown Waterfront in Oregon on November 3-5. Over 300 young adults were in attendance.<\/p>\n<p>This biennial event served as a pivotal time to discern a call into ordained ministry for young people, ages 18 to 26. Through sermons, music, workshops, and fellowship, attendees were nurtured to think about next steps into their journey of faith.<\/p>\n<p><!--more Read more reactions from Exploration 2017 at The PNW News Blog!--><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #808000;\"><strong>The Rev. Elmar de Ocera<\/strong><\/span> of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.pinoleumc.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\">Pinole UMC<\/span><\/strong><\/a> in <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cnumc.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>The California Nevada Conference<\/strong><\/span><\/a> accompanied a few young people to Exploration. \u201cThe experience and knowledge of our youth and young adults responding to the call of the Lord to the different paths in ministry makes me hopeful and blessed.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe call came to the prophets, the call came to Mary,\u201d shares <span style=\"color: #808000;\"><strong>the Rev. Shalom Agtarap,<\/strong> <\/span>associate director of Strategic Faith Community Development for <a href=\"http:\/\/www.pnwumc.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>The Pacific Northwest Conference.<\/strong><\/span><\/a> \u201cIt is going to be really important that people aren\u2019t just exploring calls to ministry and not just orienting themselves in a physical church, but that they are doing the real, deep spiritual work &#8211; spiritual work that\u2019s required for any path,\u201d Agtarap states.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #808000;\">Henry Pablo III<\/span><\/strong>, from Pinole UMC highlighted a few important key ideas from his time at Exploration:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em>\u201cIt is okay to feel doubt within your call experience, that is part of it.\u201d<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>\u201cIt was refreshing to see a bunch of people my age (23) entering the ministry.\u201d<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>\u201cDo not be afraid! There are many scholarships and resources out there that will help pay for seminary and schooling.\u201d<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>\u201cMinistry is not glamorous but glorious!\u201d<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>\u201cThe United Methodist Church is a connectional church where I will not be doing this alone. There are a lot of people just like you, where each and every one of us bring our own unique call story and gifts to God\u2019s table.\u201d<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_16539\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16539\" style=\"width: 200px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-16539 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/IDEAS_Exploration2017_3-200x300.jpg?resize=200%2C300\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/IDEAS_Exploration2017_3.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/IDEAS_Exploration2017_3.jpg?resize=280%2C420&amp;ssl=1 280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/IDEAS_Exploration2017_3.jpg?w=327&amp;ssl=1 327w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-16539\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Rev. Jenny Smith presents a sermon during Exploration 2017.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"color: #808000;\"><strong>Aaron Pazan,<\/strong><\/span> who attends <a href=\"https:\/\/portsmouthunionchurch.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Portsmouth Union Church<\/strong><\/span><\/a> in Portland, shares, \u201cNow more then ever, my call is something that I need to act upon. Pastor Jenny Smith\u2019s sermon on Sunday, reminded me that \u2018\u2026there\u2019s a power inside of (us) that\u2019s bigger and louder than the fear,\u2019 and that \u2018God uses our brokenness as strength.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Exploration provided time for young people who are questioning and understanding what a life in ministry can be. \u201cI don&#8217;t know exactly what my future looks like, but Exploration allowed me to open my eyes to new possibilities in ministry, shares Onishi. \u201cI would highly recommend attending Exploration to other young folks who may be interested in ministry work!\u201d<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><em>If you feel called to serve as a deacon or elder in The United Methodist Church, please speak to your local pastor or visit <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gbhem.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>www.gbhem.org<\/strong><\/span><\/a> to learn about the office of young adult discernment and enlistment with GBHEM.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Special thanks to Patrice Katigbak.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Jesse N. Love serves as graphic designer &amp; print manager for the PNWUMC.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Jesse N. Love | Photos by Pastor Dione Corsilles, the Rev. Elmar de Ocera, and Aaron Pazan Also read: \u201cExploration Event Guides Young Adults on Path Toward Church Leadership\u201d &#8220;Refracting New Light&#8221; &nbsp; Portland, Ore. &#8211; \u201cAs a senior in college, I am frantically searching for my calling and my purpose in preparation for [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":51,"featured_media":16524,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[263,111,482,6,394,112],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-16523","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-campus-ministry-2","8":"category-channels","9":"category-clergy","10":"category-conversation","11":"category-local-church-2","12":"category-ministries-with-young-people"},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/COVER_Ideas_Exploration2017_1080px.png?fit=1080%2C565&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2l75j-4iv","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16523","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/51"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16523"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16523\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16583,"href":"https:\/\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16523\/revisions\/16583"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16524"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16523"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16523"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16523"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}