Tim Kruse participated in SEND North America in its first year (2011-2012). Learn, through this question and answer article, how SEND impacted him and led him to serve in ministry , mission and discipleship.
Why did you decide to participate in SEND?
A friend and I attended a Church Doctor Ministries event where SEND was first presented. following that I went to the Sheffield, England immersion trip. In seeking the Lord, He made it clear that I was to go through the SEND process. As the beginning of it came closer I began to second guess and almost decided to quit. Thankfully I did not!
What did you gain/learn from the SEND teachings?
There were so many teachings! And from such a variety of sources. Beyond the amazing practicality and simplicity of LifeShapes, the openness to the moving of the Spirit in miracles and giftings probably impacted me the most. The variety really opened my mind to all that is in Christ.
What did you gain/learn from the hands-on mission experiences?
The chance to work alongside folks who were already doing mission as a way of life was an amazing opportunity. Being with them and learning how they interacted with their environments and the people to whom they ministered was a fantastic education.
How did going through the SEND process with other young adults and a leader benefit you?
It taught me that my perspective is not the only one there is; that respecting others’ view points is wise, and can lead to learning new things about yourself and others.
What did you learn about God in this process?
His diversity. He wants to express His Spirit in everyone. It’s not a cookie-cutter world. I learned that He loves me for me because of Who He is, not what I do. I also learned about the Father Heart of God, and His longing to minister to all people as a Father.
What did you learn about yourself in this process?
That I’m the Lord’s son. That I can be filled with His spirit.
What did you learn about working with other people?
I learned that when folks with diverse backgrounds have a single focused mission, the Lord can use them to accomplish His work. I learned that God is no respecter of persons. That I should not judge by outward appearances, but seek to understand others’ hearts.
How were you transformed in this process?
When I came into the program, I was a skeptical and frustrated about a lot of what it meant to follow Christ. The time in SEND allowed space for the Lord to transform my worry into confidence, and my doubtful distance from Him into a trustful relationship.
What are you doing now and how did the SEND experience prepare you?
I’m currently working with at-risk youth at the Crossing Educational Center as a job training coach. The Crossing is a faith-based, relationship based organization. Many of the concepts I was taught during SEND I am teaching to the students that go through my program. We received training on youth and prison ministries, and how to develop a discipling culture. The Crossing has provided a place for me where all three of those aspects of ministry blend.
Why would you recommend other young adults participate in SEND?
You’re only young once–without the responsibility of a family and career. If God is as important as you say He is, then taking ten months to learn how to know Him more, adore Him better, and share His love more consistently is an opportunity that should be a top priority. Are you serious about Him or not? Folks talk about how important education is—well, SEND is an education in the only thing that truly matters: becoming a dedicated, on fire, sold-out lover and disciple of Jesus. It’s not just head knowledge like Christian universities can give you, it’s hands-on, in-community training that can transform you into being be a dynamic disciplined disciple of Christ in the 21st century.
Please go into a career in which you feel you can be successful—but please don’t go without the solid base of God’s Word, and a mind and heart that is dedicated to Christ’s mission—not your own ambition. For success in this world without Christ is failure (even success in “ministry”). Mark 10:29-30 says it well, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in this life, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life.”
What else would you like to share about your SEND experience?
It’s FUN!!!
SEND North America Young Adults are 10 months away from becoming trained missionaries and helping you reach young adults in your church. Contact us to learn more.
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