Youths explore calls to ministry
at Discovery Zone

By Claudia M. Williams
Staff Writer
For Lacey Sanford, Discovery Zone was an opportunity to continue to explore her call to ministry.
Sanford, 18, a member of Cedar Creek UMC, was among the 40 young people who attended the Nov. 12 event in Bulverde sponsored by the Southwest Texas Conference Council of Youth Ministries.
“It’s amazing to be here,” Sanford said, “with so many people just like I am—looking for answers.”
This month’s gathering was the 11th conference Discovery Zone. Youths from across Southwest Texas meet with adults engaged in ministry. The purpose is to help the young people discover God’s call on their lives.
Sanford said she feels her call is nursing.
“I felt the call during summer camp,” she said. “I wasn’t sure what my call was, but after I started school, I started taking a class, basically a nursing class.”
That class, along with adult role models and leaders, has helped her see her calling more clearly. She said she believes God has called her to mission work.
“I’m helping people,” she said. “I’m helping God heal people.”
Another young woman exploring mission work is Kalynda Cochran, 16, of Grace UMC, Granite Shoals. Cochran said she was inspired in the sixth grade to go to Africa by Angel of Mercy by Lurlene McDaniel.
Russell Hernandez has a vision for a ministry that will touch people in a different way—through film.
“I want to do films about soccer or other sports, with a Christian aspect,” said the member of First UMC, Harlingen. He would like to produce feature-length films but first is looking at seminary and youth ministry.

The Nov. 12 Discovery Zone program featured Shannon Cutts, a recording artist and worship leader. Cutts described how she became active in music and speaking ministries after overcoming an eating disorder and a lifetime of criticism and perfectionism. She spoke of her many experiences working in the secular world.
“God was equipping me in that moment to do what he wanted me to do,” she said. “Winding paths help to guide us toward the application of our gifts and talents.
“Sometimes we do have a vision. You may have come here with a vision that dates back to when you were just a few years old.”
Young people may not understand the meaning of that vision, Cutts noted.
“But let me tell you this,” she said. “If God told you right now all the plans he had for you, this room would clear out so fast, none of you would be here, because he asks a lot from you.”
The call to ministry doesn’t always follow a clear, prescribed path, Cutts said.
“First Corinthians tells us flat out that there are many different ministries,” she said. “If you want to be a stockbroker, if you want to be a financial planner, believe me, there is need for ministry in those areas.”
Cutts told the youths not to “close yourself off.”
“Come today to hear this morning what God is placing on your heart, to connect your talents and your skills, wanting to know how God wants to flow through you and touch people’s lives through using your unique talents and gifts,” she said.
“Wherever you are, your ability to connect to God, to allow God to connect with you wherever you are, will have an affect on all the people you are in contact with on any given day. You will, in turn, give them permission to give their calling, their gifts, their glory and connect with God right where they are.”
In addition to hearing Cutts’ keynote address and participating in worship, the young people learned about youth ministry, music and worship ministry, ordained ministry, missions and theological education from adults serving in those areas.