Exploration 2013: full of hope

I attended Exploration 2006 in Jacksonville, Florida as a seminary student small group leader on behalf of Methodist Theological School in Ohio. I had never attended an Exploration discernment event before, and I remember feeling just so darn hopeful that there were hundreds of young adults from across the nation (and world!) being so thoughtful and introspective about a call of ministry. It helped little old me, in the midst of my own discernment, understand that yes, the United Methodist Church and the people who wanted to serve were a part of a great movement - a movement that supported deliberate contemplation, honest responses to God's call upon lives, and pursuing education in order to best live out one's call.

I remember standing in the middle of the exhibit hall, woozy from lack of sleep and intoxicated by the sheer amount of energy among all of these young adults willing to fearlessly examine what God was asking of them. (Side note: I am totally an introvert.)

I remember talking to a young woman about her anxiety around pursuing a call to ordained ministry as an elder, and we talked about how our calls are our own, and yet they also belong to God. The people we love will walk alongside us as we live into our calls. Over the past few years, I've watched her continue to claim her call to ministry, and she is now a provisional elder in West Ohio. This happened because of Exploration.

I had the privilege of being a part of the design team for Exploration 2009 in Dallas, Texas. We spent many, many hours in conversation about how best to shape the event so that young adults could have access to the resources they needed as they discerned God's call in their lives. I appreciated so much that we are a denomination that values education, mentoring, cross-generational relationships and the work of the local church and campus ministries in shaping and forming current and future leaders.

Exploration 2011 took place in St. Louis, Missouri. Again, just a remarkable event. It was a humbling honor to help host the event with my colleague and friend, the Rev. Juan Huertas. It was an exhausting and exhilarating weekend.

United Methodist Communications Exploration 2011 Slideshow

On Sunday morning, during closing worship, I remember standing beside the stage. I had simply no words - I was humbled by the choir that had assembled less than 48 hours before, and that was sharing in love. I was speechless at the willingness of these young adults to simply be present with themselves, with God, with community, and move towards lives of meaning by following a call. I was awed by the movement of the Spirit in that room. I found myself crying tears of joy, and I remember walking on stage with tears of joy running down my face, just feeling at peace with the privilege of being in that room, with these people, and that they were sharing of themselves in such an honest way. God moves in such unexpected ways.

We're working on Exploration 2013 now - it's going to take place in Denver, Colorado. I am giddy with anticipation, and I cannot wait to see what God has in store for the young adults who will come from near and far to be open to the movement of the Spirit within.

I care so much for all of you. The desire to help people - especially [ but certainly not only! :) ] young adults - discern what it is God is calling them to is something I feel so strongly about it is like I can touch it. I want to be a part of that - to help, to serve, to connect. This is why I am a deacon in the United Methodist Church. My call is to help cultivate leaders, to help people discern what it is God has in store for them, to connect them with the educational options that will expand their minds and souls. Exploration is about this, too. We can't wait to see you in Denver.