Interactive Feature

 

By: Melanie Guadalupe

 My interactive feature is a timeline about the life of Daisy Guadalupe.  The timeline shows a few of the significant points in Guadalupe’s life that have contributed to the person who she is today.  The focus of my blog this semester is to encourage Christian college students.  This assignment can relate to my blog easily.  I can’t see how anyone cannot be inspired by her.  She is truly an amazing person. 

Guadalupe has been through many hard times, but she is pressing forward because of God.  “I’ve had some tough times with health and my marriage, but the only reason I’ve been able to make it is because of my faith in God.  That’s the only way I’m here today and still standing,” she said. 

 In 2001, she was diagnosed with Scleroderma, an incurable skin disease.  This is the reason that Guadalupe stopped working as a licensed practical nurse.  “My doctor always says that I amaze her.  I amaze her because I’ve been through so much (with complications with the disease).  I’m doing so well now,” Guadalupe said.  She tells her nurse that it’s because of her (her nurse’s work and the medicine) and because of God that she is doing so well now.     

 I hope that any Christian college students (or anyone who reads this blog) will be encouarged as they read this timeline. 

Preview of interactive feature

The Guadalupe family, the day of Moses Guadalupe Sr. and Daisy Guadalupe's ceremony. They renewed their vows for their 25th anniversary. By: Stephanie Ocasio

In my next blog post, I will present my interactive feature.  The feature is a timeline based on the life of Daisy Guadalupe.  Guadalupe is 46 years old, is very active in her church—Rock of Salvation—, and is looking forward to her future.  The timeline will show important facts about Guadalupe’s life.  Therefore, I thought I could use my preview to share some very interesting information that wasn’t given in the timeline.

 Guadalupe’s grandparents, Ramon and Carmen Atiles, raised her for most of her life (since she was three or four years old).  Her grandfather founded three or four churches.  She says that that’s what her grandfather was called to do.  “I definitely got my foundation in my beliefs because of my grandparents,” Guadalupe said.  She also said that her grandparents were very strict while she was growing up.

 She is actively involved in the Rock of Salvation Church (founded by Ramon Atiles).  Guadalupe is an elder of the church.  She is involved with the worship team (making schedules), and making programs for specials during the Sunday services.  She is a substitute teacher for the adult Sunday school class, and she also participates with the women’s fellowship.  Guadalupe says that when her church decides to do outreach programs, she wants to be involved with that.

 Guadalupe is looking forward to her future.  In the next five years, she says, “one, I’m hoping that I’m totally healed.”  In 2001, she was diagnosed with Scleroderma, an incurable skin disease.  She had to quit her job as a nurse because of this illness.  After Guadalupe is healed she plans on working as a part-time nurse again.  She hopes that in five years all three of her kids will be married; after five years she expects to have grandchildren!  After her kids get married, she looks forward to enjoying the empty nest with her husband.   

 When talking about encouraging Christian college students, Guadalupe said that they should keep focused on God and the goals they have.  “They have to live lives of integrity, no matter what,” she said.  “Don’t give up.  At the end it’s going to be worth it.”

Shachah Ministries International

My group of five girls that went to the dance conference prayed over our flags, tambourines, and streamers.

One web site I wanted to share with my readers is Shachah Ministries International. According to the site, “Shachah in Hebrew means worship (prostrated with face touching the ground). We are here to share the joy found in the freedom of dance for God in worship.” 

 This web site shows that this ministry instructs others how to worship with flags, tambourines, streamers, and dancing. Pastor Michael and “Aunty” Magrate Yap, founders of Shachah Ministries International, sell manuals and videos to help people learn how to use these biblical, worship techniques.  According to the web site, “Shachah Ministries International has ministered in countries around the world. Conducting seminars and conferences in places such as Japan, Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, Singapore, Fiji Island, Cayman Island, Jamaica, Aruba, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Argentina, Mexico and the United States of America.”

 Thursday, November 12 – Sunday, November 15, 2009, I was able to go to Shachah’s Dance Conference at Blue Mountain Christian Retreat Center in New Ringgold, PA.  I went with two other girls from my church, and two girls from Maranatha Revival Church.  I drove to Pennsylvania for the first time!  We got to Blue Mountain on Thursday late at night.  Friday and Saturday were very busy days for us.  The sessions for learning the flags, tambourines, and streamers were two or three hours long each! Some sessions were longer, but the times were split before and after lunch.  The only times we had a break was for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! Whenever we had a break we enjoyed practicing with our flags and tambourines.

 All five of us had a great time last weekend.  We really enjoyed learning the new techniques.  We also enjoyed the services and times of prayer.  Our group prayed for one another throughout the weekend.  The whole trip was an amazing experience.  We learned a lot and we hope to learn a lot more at our next dance conference next year.

Praising God in every circumstance

Our Daily Bread for Thursday, November 12, 2009 talks about the book of Job.    The passage for this devotion is Job 1: 13-22.  This book talks about a man named Job who loses everything (his possessions, family, livestock, etc.).  However, in the midst of all his suffering, he still praised God and didn’t blame him for his suffering.

The devotion says, “Many believers live in circumstances where it seems as if God, for some reason, has removed His hedge of protection.  Others, also for reasons unknown, live in relative calm, seemingly unaware of their fragile existence.”  This means that Christians have times where they go through hard situations, and they believe God isn’t with them.  Others may live very carefree, not aware that they should be more cautious and careful about the decisions one makes in life.

Another statement in the devotion says, “Like Job’s friends, they assume that nothing bad will happen unless they do something to deserve it. “  No one should think that bad things only happen to bad people.  Anyone can experience difficulties, and many times it may not be one’s fault why they’re going through these situations.  Sometimes we do make decisions that result in bad consequences, but it’s important that Christians aren’t judgmental of others. 

Christian college students may go through difficult situations.  Therefore, students might think that God doesn’t care what happens to them or that He isn’t helping them.  However, the bible says, “We should not trust in ourselves but in God” (2 Corinthians 1:9).  Having faith means to believe in the unseen.  One should praise God no matter what circumstances they are in.  After all, that’s what Job did.

Joyce Meyer Ministries

Another organization I wanted to look into was for the Joyce Meyer Ministries.  I thought this ministry would be good for Christian college students to learn more about for many reasons.  First, there are many biblical resources through the web site that are given to instruct Christians and encourage everyone in their faith.  Second, the web site is updated with technology such as podcasts and videos, which make the site more appealing to our generation.  Finally, Joyce Meyers has a background that is relatable to this generation.  She also has a message of hope and overcoming difficult circumstances.

There is a section of the web site called Everyday Answers.  This section directs someone to various articles, videos, scriptures, and more.  One can look at daily devotionals, testimonies, and how to become a Christian.  There are even more resources if one doesn’t find something that interests them.  However, the selection is so big, everyone should find at least one answer to what they’re looking for.

Another part of the Joyce Meyers Ministries site offers free podcasts.  One can view radio podcasts, TV podcasts, or other featured podcasts (in this section) through iTunes.  College students could find this feature very useful.  People can also view sections of the magazine online. 

 Joyce Meyers has a testimony that can inspire anyone.  According to her web site, “Having suffered sexual abuse as a child and the pain of an emotionally abusive first marriage, Joyce discovered the freedom to live victoriously by applying God’s Word to her life and in turn desires to help others do the same.”  The web site says she also battled breast cancer.  Students may not experience situations quite like this, but this testimony proves that, with God, anyone can overcome any situation.  College students can have many struggles, but one has to believe:  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”~Philippians 4:13

Multimedia Interview

*Here is the first part of Nate’s message at Rock of Salvation’s Super Saturday on October 31, 2009. Videos taken by a member of Maranatha Revival’s Church.

Nate Peña has a very eventful life for a 24-year-old.  He is busy with a full-time job, a family, and being the youth minister at Maranatha Revival Church.  Most of all, Peña has a passion to reach this generation with the gospel of Jesus Christ and that they experience the power of God in a way that will create a movement.

He was born and raised in Vineland, NJ. Peña graduated from Vineland High School and attended Cumberland County College.  He has a full-time job at Bandfield Animal Hospital in Mantua, NJ, where he works as an office manager. Peña has been married for two years to Gabrielle Peña.  He says that she is involved with teaching the youth group and singing in the worship team. “She’s got a tremendous teaching gift,” he said.  On October 1, 2009 Gabrielle Peña gave birth to their daughter, Lilia Hope Peña.

 When he isn’t working or at home with his family, Peña is involved in his church, Maranatha Revival Church.  He has been the youth minister for two and a half years. Therefore, he preaches at the youth services, and puts together church events and outside activities for his youth group. Peña is involved in the worship team; he plays the guitar and the drums.  Peña also takes part in the evangelism team that was established about a year ago.

 Mountain Experience

 Peña’s parents, George and Yolanda Peña, have been the pastors of Maranatha Revival Church for over five years.  Though his parents were in leadership positions as he was growing up, Peña didn’t always have a desire to serve God. He said that his old church his family used to go to had very strict rules and didn’t have programs for teens.  From the time he was 14-16 years old, Peña’s parents had him and his sister visit another church’s youth group (Abundant Life Church in Buena, NJ).  

 He found out about a youth retreat at the Abundant Life Church, and wanted to go—but only for the snowboarding. Peña got more than he expected to receive. “I had a mountain experience with the Lord,” he said.  He says that he had an encounter with God that changed his life. Now he wants others to have a fire for God that he has experienced.

*Part two of Super Saturday at The Rock.

 The Best is Yet to Come

 Peña says his youth group hasn’t grown in numbers, but the kids aren’t the same as they were two years ago.  “We’re now finally at a place where we can give something to our city,” he said.  He says that his first priority is to get the youth members on fire for God.  His second priority is for them to preach the gospel.

 “We want our church to reflect that the gospel has no cultural boundaries.  We are not a Spanish church—we’re just a church.”  Peña says that his church will be having its first youth rally in December.  Different churches will be involved in the service.  “Maybe you’re a different part of the body [of Christ], but we can all work together.”  He says he wants to bring churches together that have the same desire as him.  “I don’t want to see just a revival, but a movement of God,” Peña said.

 When speaking about his own future, he says that he is called to preach.  Therefore, Peña wants to become an ordained minister.  He says the program he is looking into is an external studies program under Rod Parsley’s World Harvest Bible College.  According to Peña, this is a one-year program that would get him a diploma in biblical studies.  He says he would receive he diploma from Pastor Parsley himself.  His ultimate goal after the diploma and ordination is to eventually get a degree, but he says that’s not his first priority.

 “The message that God has put in me is not for a church, but for a generation,” he said. Peña wants to encourage Christian college students.  He says that Proverbs 16:3 says to commit your works to the Lord and He will establish your thoughts.  “We’re here to build the kingdom of God.”  He says that college is the perfect place for Christians to get different degrees and use them for Christ. Peña says students should look at that degree as a door—as an opportunity to use the gospel. 

 

Preview for Multimedia Interview

Nate Peña preaching at The Rock of Salvation Church. By: Cristina Garcia

My next post is going to be a multimedia interview on Nate Peña.  He works full-time as the office manager of an animal hospital, has a wife and newborn daughter, and is the youth minister at Maranatha Revival Church.  Peña is only 24 years old.  The interview is very in-depth so I don’t want to reveal too much, but I will share a couple of things that I wasn’t able to share in the multimedia interview. 

 When speaking about his job, Peña says that God gave him favor.  He was looking for a full-time job, and was called for an interview at Bandfield Animal Hospital.  However, the position he was interviewing for was only part-time.  The person speaking with him said that Peña didn’t qualify for the full-time job because he didn’t have the experience.  Also, there were other people applying for the job, who had the experience.  However when they called him back, Peña was given the full-time position.  When Peña asked why they chose to offer him the job, they told him they liked something about him.  Peña says that God’s favor is the reason why he received this job.

 The interview mentions that Peña is involved in an evangelism team at his church that was developed about a year ago.  He said that a few of his youth and him hold signs at two different locations:  on the street outside of Vineland High School and in downtown Vineland.  The signs have evangelical messages on them.  The young people who are involved in this team are not afraid to stand out.  Click here to see Maranatha’s facebook page.

 “We want our church to reflect that the gospel has no cultural boundaries,” Peña said.  We are not a Spanish church—we’re just a church.”  Peña has been the youth minister at his church for two and a half years.  He says that the youth group will be having their first youth rally in December.  Click here to see various videos of Peña preaching at his church. 

 

30 Hour Famine fights hunger

I’m going to try to find a few different Christian organizations to share with my readers.  Learning about organizations can encourage anyone, including college students.  When one realizes how organizations contribute to others, it helps one to think of all the blessings one has received.  Many times we don’t realize how much we have, until we see how little other people have.

 World Vision is an organization that reaches many communities around the world.  According to World Vision’s web site, “World Vision is a Christian humanitarian charity organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice.”  One of the projects that World Vision is involved in is called 30 Hour Famine.

 The web site says that every day, 25,000 kids under 5 years old die from preventable causes like hunger, poverty, and disease.  In the 30 Hour Famine, youth group members stop eating for 30 hours.  The students participate in fundraising activities, community service projects, and learning more about the facts of world hunger.  To learn how to sign up for 30 Hour Famine, click here.   

 There is another service project connected with the 30 Hour Famine called Study Tour.  If a participant of the 30 Hour Famine raises $360 or more, one can apply to be selected for the Study Tour.  Students selected will “visit a number of communities that are receiving support from Famine donations and meet some of the children who are benefiting from the food and care groups…”  Past trips have gone to Swaziland, Brazil, and Mozambique. 

 Some of the areas where money from the 30 Hour Famine reaches are:  Malawi, Mozambique, Sudan, Swaziland, Myanmar, North Korea, Peru, and Haiti.  Click here to find out more.

 Participating in an event like this is life-changing.  College students can use this service project for future resumes.  Students should also hope that this will give them a heart to care for others all over the world.

God-sent friends

The last post I did, Stand by friends, came from a message out of Our Daily Bread that really encouraged me.  It encouraged me because I’ve been blessed to have really great friends.  Therefore, I wanted to explain why my friends mean so much to me.

 First of all, the reason I have the faith that I have today is because I had friends who decided to reach out to me.  God used these friends to impact my life in a great way.  One friend shared with me how she received Jesus as her personal Savior, and I decided to make that same commitment to God.  Another one of my friends invited me to her church when we were in high school.  She had a passion for God; she wanted to serve Him in every gift and talent that she had.  That is one of the reasons why I wanted to become a member of her church, where I still am a member today.  Now these are two of my best friends.  Throughout the years we have become closer friends, and we trust each other more as our friendship grows.

 Two of my friends that go to my church helped me to grow in my faith.  Again, God used them to minister to my life; they’ve deposited scripture and encouragement into my Spirit that will never be erased.  As I went through different trials in my life, they were always there to speak life to me.  Their positive words rubbed off on me.  Now when situations happen that are discouraging, I’m able to look back on what my friends said to me, and keep moving forward in my walk with God.  I’m very grateful for my friends because they’ve seen me at my lowest points in my life, and God still made a way for them to minister to me.  God also made a way for us to continue to have a friendship.

 It’s really important for college students to have good Christian friends.  These are the kind of friends who should speak encouraging words, help their friends when they need it the most, and just be someone who one can have a good time with without getting involved in sin.  I didn’t find my best friends until I was 16, so if anyone reading this doesn’t have the kinds of friends I’m talking about don’t lose hope.  I believe that God sent these friends into my life for a reason.  If one prays to have true friendships, then one should find them.

Stand by friends

There is a message in Our Daily Bread for Friday, October 30, 2009 that really blessed me, so I thought it would bless other college students.  I enjoy writing about these devotions.  Here are some previous ones about praying for others, speaking the truth, and forgiveness.  The devotion talks about friendship, and how one realizes if they have a true friend.

 The devotion describes two types of friends:  runners and standers.  “At the first sign of trouble, the runner would bolt—abandoning you to whatever peril you were facing.  But a stander would stick with you no matter the circumstances.”  It goes on to say, “Rather than being concerned with what kind of friends we have, however, we ought to consider what kind of friends we are.”  Society says that we need to look out only for ourselves, but Christianity teaches that one should be a servant to others, expecting nothing in return.

 Being a college student can be hard.  One will encounter many different people.  It’s good to take advantage of these opportunities and to make a lot of friends.  However, one should be careful with who they choose to be their closest friends.  Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”  One can only hope that if one is a good friend, their friends will treat them with that same respect and gratitude of their friendship.

 The bible verses that go with this message are:  2 Timothy 4:9-18.  The verses speak about Paul and his one friend, Luke, who chose to stand by Paul’s side when he needed him most.  Luke was a stander; we should all follow his example and stand by our friends.  I encourage my readers to read the verses and the October 30, 2009 message of Our Daily Bread.