45 explore call to ministry at Nov. 11 event

By Rachel L. Toalson
Staff Writer
The morning dawned cool, crisp and sunny for the Nov. 11 Discovery Zone event.
More than 45 youths from 15 churches across the Southwest Texas Conference gathered at The Loft Coffeehouse in Spring Branch to explore their calls into ministry.
The event opened at 10 a.m. with casual fellowship between students and leaders. A corporate worship session followed. Then students broke into groups to visit various discussions about areas of ministry. Topics ranged from youth work and ordained service to missions and college selection.
During Discovery Zone, sponsored by the Board of Ordained Ministry and Council on Youth Ministry, students from 12 to 22 were encouraged to consider whether God was calling them to ministry.
“This is important because of the desperate need for first-career clergy in the conference,” said the Rev. Rusty Freeman, youth ministries director. “We don’t have a lot of young people coming into the clergy.”
Most of those who attended, Freeman said, were high school sophomores, juniors and seniors.
While most at Nov. 11 Discovery Zone were from nearby congregations, some, like Morgan Cole, 15, and Chelsea VanBlarcum, 18, woke before dawn to make it to the event on time.
Both from Grace UMC, Corpus Christi, they were first-time attendees hoping to learn more about the areas of ministries to which they feel called.
Morgan said he thinks youth ministry is his area of service, though he’s not yet certain. VanBlarcum knows hers is missions.
Both want to change the world.
“I want my friends to see me as a good example, a good leader,” Morgan said. “I’m hoping to find a new way to show people Christ.”
VanBlarcum said, “As society changes, we need to stay up-to-date on how to stay involved. The youth are the ones who will shape the world.
“I’m looking for different ideas and ways to approach people to inspire and touch them to get involved.”
A display of books, which covered topics such as youth ministry, lay speaking ministry and missions, was arranged behind the corporate worship area for students and leaders to peruse.
Freeman told the group he believes God is calling this generation to accept Christian service with boldness.
“There’s no greater passion I have for seeing the church get younger and younger,” Freeman said.
Discovery Zones, offered several times each year since 2001, have inspired many students to enter ministry, Freeman said. One past attendee is now a church youth director.