YAM JAM!

Perhaps a silly name. . . yes.




But a wonderful conference, for sure. This week, the Presbyterian Association of Collegiate and Higher Education Ministries is meeting at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary to think about Young Adult Ministry. (That's where the YAM comes from).


So what's the JAM? It's basically a jam session. People who work with young adults in ministries across the country are coming to Austin simply to jam together - to celebrate ideas, ask questions, and dream big. Pastors and Campus Ministers are there, but guess what? So are students! You are all ministers for young adults too. Baptism ordains you as ministers toward one another.



Last night, in our opening jam session, Ted Wardlaw, President of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, led us in a meaningful and thought-provoking sermon. He preached from the story of Joseph. How is it that even in the midst of tragedy and great family strife, Joseph is able to forgive and see his story through a lens of hope and God's goodness? How is it that he was transformed from a person of arrogant, self-referential dreams into a person who could step into God's larger dreams for those around him? President Wardlaw challenged us to dream in the big picture. He invited us to step into God's dreams - dreams for transformation in our own families, dreams for the church, and dreams for the larger family of humanity. The conference participants were moved and stretched through his words.

Please continue to remember all who are gathered in Austin this week for such a wonderful event. And also remember that you are a part of those dreams and this jam session too!