1 Timothy 4:12, NIV

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

The General Conference of the Church of God (Seventh Day) Southwest District, GC COG7 SWD, Board appointed Oziel Bolanos and Ana Mota, husband and wife, as the successors to the longtime SWD Young Adult Ministry Directors Dani and Jacqui Melgoza.  Thank you, Dan and Jacqui.  You are appreciated and loved.  You served well and built a strong foundation for this ministry in the SWD.  In fact, Ozzie and Ana were among your nominees for successors to your ministry in the SWD.  

Ozzie and Ana have demonstrated a heartfelt desire to serve and exhibited great patience in the process of their appointment.  If you want to join their team of Ministry Partners, you may contact this office or your SWD Area Director and you will be put in contact with them.  Welcome, Ozzie and Ana.  We look forward to the leadership and service you will provide in building the SWD Young Adult Ministry entrusted to you as you glorify God, edify the Church, and further the gospel in this age through your ministry.

Because the Apostle Paul’s disciple, Timothy, was in the mid to upper ranges of the SWD Young Adult Ministry range, I wanted to use 1 Timothy 4:12 as the key verse in spotlighting this ministry.  As I read commentaries and blogs searching for ideas, I found a blog I liked very much and decided to share it with you.  Also, it has music and artwork from people outside the GC COG7 but within the SWD geographic region, namely Oklahoma City.  I do hope you will check it out and be sure to key up the song and give it a listen.

The link to the article referenced above is just below and one quote will be highlighted from the article.

Here is the link: http://theversesproject.com/verses/57/1-Timothy-4.12

Here is the quote:

“One last important comment on this verse comes to us from David Mathis, who said, “The ultimate reason that young Timothy can stand confidently among older adults as their leader and teacher is that his feet rest not on his own experience or skill, but firmly on the gospel of Jesus. It is not himself that Timothy is to emphasize, but another youth — the God-man, who was about Timothy’s age when he set his face like flint toward Jerusalem (Luke 9:51) and died on Calvary’s tree to be “the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe” (1 Timothy 4:10). Jesus is the youth who rose again in triumph and now is seated at his Father’s right hand.” Read the whole blog here: http://fighterverses.com/blog-post/youth-and-the-glory-of-christ/”

All SWD Young Adults, SWD Ministries, SWD Board, and Area Pastors Group Officers, I do hope you will network with Ozzie and Ana.  The two major purposes of this ministry, as with all SWD demographic ministries, are 1) to do things a Local Church cannot normally be expected to do, such as special events and broader regional activities whether virtual or real and 2) to provide guidance and resources for Local Churches to develop strong demographic ministries in their congregations, in this case the Young Adults.

The COVID-19 pandemic struck the USA in major force the week after Ozzie and Ana were appointed.  So, immediately they are being required to consider methods never used before in mainstream ministry in the SWD to conduct the SWD Young Adult Ministry.  

Since circumstances prevented your official ordination prior to your ministry induction and will have to be postponed until a future time, this venue will be used to provide elements of that ordination.

Ozzie and Ana do not fear, the Lord will guide you and here are some key guidelines.

• Whatever you do let it further the Vision of a Vibrant 21st Century Church
• Always, always, “Focus on Jesus and Follow His Plan”
• Remember, “We are better together”
• You are part of the body of Jesus Christ often referred to as the Church and you are also members in the General Conference of the Church of God (Seventh Day), being part of its administration
• Keep your priorities straight, 1) God, 2) Family, 3) Church, while you may have to put one or the other in the forefront, do not let the order be sustained for long periods of time without being properly prioritized
• Everything you do serves as a testimony of your identity in Jesus Christ, use it well
• Know you have a strong group of Ministry Partners in the SWD who want to see you succeed beyond yours or anyone else’s wildest expectations
• It is Jesus Christ who will produce the fruit in you and your ministry
• So, don’t fret or allow anxiety to block your view of the goal ahead
• Utilize your network with the SWD Board, SWD Media and other SWD Ministries

Ozzie and Ana, this charge from the Apostle Paul to Timothy is the same charge for you and all the Young Adults in the SWD that you will lead in ministry.

1 Timothy 4:1-16, MSG

1. The Spirit makes it clear that as time goes on, some are going to give up on the faith and chase after demonic illusions put forth by professional liars. 
2. These liars have lied so well and for so long that they’ve lost their capacity for truth. 
3. They will tell you not to get married. They’ll tell you not to eat this or that food–perfectly good food God created to be eaten heartily and with thanksgiving by Christians!
4. Everything God created is good, and to be received with thanks. Nothing is to be sneered at and thrown out.
5. God’s Word and our prayers make every item in creation holy.
6. You’ve been raised on the Message of the faith and have followed sound teaching. Now pass on this counsel to the Christians there, and you’ll be a good servant of Jesus.
7. Stay clear of silly stories that get dressed up as religion. Exercise daily in God–no spiritual flabbiness, please!
8. Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever.
9. You can count on this. Take it to heart.
10. This is why we’ve thrown ourselves into this venture so totally. We’re banking on the living God, Savior of all men and women, especially believers.
11. Get the word out. Teach all these things.
12. And don’t let anyone put you down because you’re young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity. 
13. Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching.
14. And that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed–keep that dusted off and in use.
15. Cultivate these things. Immerse yourself in them. The people will all see you mature right before their eyes!
16. Keep a firm grasp on both your character and your teaching. Don’t be diverted. Just keep at it. Both you and those who hear you will experience salvation. 

This is our prayer for you:

Holy God glorify yourself through these your servants.  Ozzie and Ana may the Holy Spirit fill you and refill you continuously as you pour yourself out for our King and Master Jesus Christ.  May God bless you with insight, knowledge, wisdom, vision, and a true Ministry Partner’s heart in obedience to your calling.

The LORD bless you and keep you,

The LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you,

The LORD lift his countenance upon you and give you peace.

Amen.