by Brendan Sagastume
Editor’s Note: This summer, nine young adult Ambassadors are serving in congregations and ministries across Mosaic Conference. This article highlights three of these Ambassadors, and in the coming weeks, you will be introduced to the other Ambassadors.
Calvin Wilder, 25, has been working in the Ambassador program with Midian Leadership Project. This summer some of his work included, coaching basketball, training and mentoring both kids and adults, assisting with Bible studies, and more.
Wilder says that one takeaway from this summer is to “stay locked in.” Especially when working with others, it is easy to lose sight on what your goals are, and the reason why are you doing that work. To complete the work to the best of your ability and to continue to be accountable, you must stay focused.
He was eager to join this program as it helped him continue his journey of giving back and leading people to the right paths, all while surrounding himself around others who are on the same mission as him. He is very grateful for the opportunity to meet people from many different places with many different backgrounds, but all share a common goal to spread the Word of God.
Isaac Ramirez, 23, is a member of Luz y Vida Mennonite Church. Throughout his time in the Ambassador program, he has gained an understanding of what it means to be a true leader in addition to starting his ministry in worship.
Something that he has felt God putting on his heart is that He requires us to not only give our all but be our best that we possibly can be when serving Him. Especially when serving in front of others, he has felt the importance of working his hardest, “to remain as pure as possible for His glory.”
As someone who has been called to be a pastor, he felt that his program would give valuable insight and experience as to what goes on behind the scenes at his church. He is excited to use everything learned this summer to continue serving at Luz y Vida while studying to get his associate’s degree.
Josh De La Rosa, 17, is a member of Luz y Vida Mennonite Church. Some of his bigger projects through the Ambassador program have included leading the youth through youth camp and other events. In addition to that, he has served on the worship team and assisted with the sound system.
A lesson he learned throughout his experiences this summer was that things will not always go the way you intend them to and not be discouraged by that. De La Rosa says, “it’s easy to give up when you feel like nothing you do is working, but if it’s for God’s glory there’s always value in your actions”
When he first saw this program, he immediately saw the value that it can provide as he can connect and learn from others about what leadership means to them. This experience has provided a positive impact that he can continue to show in all areas as he finishes this program and moves onto his next plans, which involve possibly releasing music with his band.
Brendan Sagastume
Brendan is a member of Perkiomenville (PA) Mennonite. Through the Ambassador Program this summer, he is working with both Mosaic Conference and Perkiomenville.
The opinions expressed in articles posted on Mosaic’s website are those of the author and may not reflect the official policy of Mosaic Conference. Mosaic is a large conference, crossing ethnicities, geographies, generations, theologies, and politics. Each person can only speak for themselves; no one can represent “the conference.” May God give us the grace to hear what the Spirit is speaking to us through people with whom we disagree and the humility and courage to love one another even when those disagreements can’t be bridged.