The imagery of the eagle is one of my favorite Bible illustrations because of the characteristics that portray such a graceful soar, strength, keen eyesight, and the ability to empower its offspring with great care in the art of flying. In Exodus 19:4 and Deuteronomy 32:11 the eagle is used figuratively to depict God’s protection … Read more
Whoever has stopped dreaming has started to die. No matter how old or young you are, never stop dreaming. Les Brown, motivational speaker and author, puts it this way, “You are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream.” Dreams keep you energized, hopeful, and give you a reason to move … Read more
I love young adults; they are spiritual, intelligent, and caring people. They love the church wholeheartedly and they are looking to serve the church earnestly. However, many are leaving the pews while others are disengaged. What can we do to alleviate this problem? I’ve learned three key components to young adult retention through my interactions … Read more
Throughout my ministry, I have seen many youth, young adults, and adults struggling with various battles in their lives. One of the most difficult battles is to be unforgiving. A young girl came up to me and said, “Pastor Peralta, I cannot forgive my mother; she hates me and she abandoned me.” A youth from … Read more
I do not support the popular notion that “the old people should abdicate and hand over the church to the young people.” I think that is tantamount to saying that wisdom and experience should surrender to the inexperience and the not too wise. There is no wisdom in such postulations. However, I equally disagree with … Read more
I sat almost in the nosebleed section of the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, the morning of July 4. There for the 60th General Conference Session, I listened to the newly-elected treasurer of the General Conference, Juan Prestol-Puesán, make a very passionate appeal to the more than 50,000 attendees and delegates there for that first … Read more
Hints of spring are all around us and our thoughts turn to sunshine and warmer days. Summer is just around the corner, and if you are a parent, guardian, or grandparent, you are probably wondering how your child will spend their vacation once school is out. Camps are a viable cost-effective solution that many turn … Read more
In previous articles we saw how Jesus provided some key insights through the Parable of the Prodigal Son on why young adults leave the church. Let’s explore Luke 15:25-30 and draw some practical solutions on how to reclaim them: • Pray for them. I imagine the father praying for his son, at morning and evening … Read more
In our last article of this series, “Retaining Young Adults,” we asked hard questions. (See Gleaner, June 2014, p. 18.) Some of us arrived at the conclusion that perhaps our young adults are falling away because the “boardwalk,” meaning the church, is broken. We touched on the parable of the Prodigal Son that provides guidance … Read more
If you heard that more than two million people, mostly young adults, with all types of needs, live in your proximity, what would you do? If it was further brought to your attention that they are going through some of the most crucial moments of their lives, and getting ready to make lifelong decisions, how … Read more
