Sabbath morning, Dr. Joi McClellan, an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Resident, at Loma Linda University, shared her faith journey at Young Adult LIFE Experience [YALX] inspiring all with her courage and candor.
“Dr. Joi’s level of authenticity and humility was invaluable,” lauded Lisa Cortés, Life Coach for Women at Living Intently. “She wasn’t trying to be someone she wasn’t. Instead, she said, ‘This is where my pride and my own will got in the way and here’s how I had to continually pivot back to my God.’ Every child of God needs this reality check from time to time.”
Contagious Faith, a ministry dedicated to sharing the truth of Jesus through music and online media, led worship throughout YALX.
“We strive to creatively and musically express Biblical truth in an appealing yet uncompromised way,” shared Anthony Cortés III, OD, bassist for Contagious Faith. “We’re so grateful to YALX and North American Division [NAD] Youth & Young Adult Ministries for the opportunity; Can’t wait for next time.”
A faith building surprise was the extended stay in Kentucky due to the winter storms’ impact on air travel. All the members of Contagious Faith have full time lives and work beyond their ministry endeavors, but they took this inconvenience in stride.
“We made the best of it,” confessed Lisa, who is a vocalist and worship leader with the group. “Most of us worked online and those who didn’t were thankfully notified that their offices were closed. We braved the ice and found perhaps the only other place that was open, enjoyed some food and leisurely worked by a fireplace. God always knows what He’s doing, including forced breathers.”
“It was fine for me. I took it as an adventure,” expressed Anthony. “The experience was great. I really enjoyed seeing the snow falling, and the connections I was able to build with others at YALX was also special. Plus, the NAD took good care of us while we were there so for that, we are very grateful.”
Anthony further reflected on YALX, “Dr. Joi inspired me by the way she emphasized that giving everything to God and following Him wholeheartedly is something we do continually; Renewing that surrender of self again and again. What a great reminder.”
In Young Adult LIFE, faith development is an ongoing process of growth and transformation in Jesus. It is a personal and communal pursuit of Jesus, a desire to love Him more and more and more. Deep Calling by Dr. Tara VinCross is an exceptional resource for this discipleship pursuit and provides a comprehensive approach to use in your ministry and/or local faith context.
“Deep Calling is a wholistic discipleship movement that emphasizes a life-long process, not a destination. It’s about making space for God in the every day, bearing witness to transformation in the ordinary. All are invited. All are welcome to answer the deep call of God.” –Dr. Tara VinCross, Senior Pastor, Azure Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church
Upcoming posts will highlight other discipleship competencies emphasized at YALX as well as follow up resources to use in your ministry and local faith context.
Growing Together 
Selected PC: NAD Youth & Young Adult Ministries
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