Bible Teacher. Pastor.Educator.

Christmas Letter 2019 from Pastor James Owolabi

Merry Christmas Family,

    The holiday season is upon us and this is probably one of the busiest time of the year for most people.  It has been a year of amazing transitions and “mind blowing doors” for ministry. God has been opening great opportunities, orchestrating events and allowing these things to happen in order to increase my leadership capacity for ministry. The ministry Slingshots a teen after school drop in center (Slingshotschicago.com) that I formerly worked with is now going to be under the umbrella of Youth for Christ USA.

Starting next year, I will be leading this teen center on the Northside of Chicago, while continuing to host mentoring events on the southside of this beautiful city.

My home church on the north side of the city became part of a vibrant growing neighborhood church movement (the bridge.church) which retained me twice a month as one of their teaching pastors.

This will increase my ministry footprint and expand my influence in the Chicago land area. I also launched a website (www.jamesowolabi.com) under a new ministry  “Grace for Life” that will allow me to continue to travel and preach around the world.

 I consider it a privilege to be promoted to Director of City Life for the city of Chicago and to serve as one of the teaching pastors at The Bridge community church.

            I’m going to be spending the holidays with my immediate family, excluding my parents in Nigeria, right here in my home on the southside of  Chicago! The capacity to be the host this year is not something that I take for granted. I want to fully enjoy this space that God has blessed me with.I am excited to share the space with my siblings for Christmas. 

   This Christmas my best attempt to being a perfect host I started to plan and make a lot of lists to ensure that everything for the holidays would be perfect. You can probably relate; guest lists, when everyone is arriving, grocery lists, gift lists… and more. I realized in all of my movement and list making that I was losing sight of the true meaning behind Christmas. More importantly than having the “perfect holiday” and getting everything on my list was actually the need to focus on the original guest list of Christmas day; Mary, Joseph, and Jesus! 
    Jesus is the reason for the season of course, but as I reflect I couldn’t help but feel there was a lot to learn from His mother Mary! What can we learn from her? She’s not Jesus-- however she has a lot of qualities that I admire! Mary was a young Jewish girl who probably couldn’t even read or write, but yet she was seen and valued by God. He knew her heart and chose her specifically to be the person that would bring our Savior into the world! When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her of God’s plans she immediately said “I am you servant, let it be unto me”! Mary was a young Jewish girl that probably couldn’t read or write and yet, but her faith in God is unmatched! She reminds me of myself when I’i'm excited about what God is doing. Her response to the angel, “I am the Lord's servant let it be unto me”. Her willingness to let God hijack her life causes me to reflect. I'm sure she had dreams and plans, but allowed the Spirit of God to take her future reputation. The pregnancy was a scandal and disgrace in that society. A surprise pregnancy did not establish her reputation as Godly Jewish girl! She surrendered her personal life completely. Her response:

         “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”    

‭‭Luke‬ ‭1:38‬ ‭

           Wow!!! What a response!!! The word servant is a word for a slave, a female born slave. Mary was offering her life as a living sacrifice. There are not many of us that would’ve been so willing and unquestioning. She gave up the potential of her relationship with Joseph. Although we know how the story ends, Mary had no clue what consequences or further sacrifices would have to be made. She was excited about marriage, fully betrothed and then BOOM -- an angel comes! This could have been tragic to her dreams as i’m sure all Jewish girls looked forward to the seal of marriage. That was everything a woman desired in that culture but, she gives her body and allows it to be used to bring forth the line of David. How complicated, crisis inducing, and uncomfortable, however to Mary it was exciting. 

 

Her reaction lets me know that she spent time in the Word of God. 

“My soul magnifies the Lord he has looked upon the humble.” - Mary

 

Instead of being further consumed with lists and scheduled, I’ve begun to slow down and focus on Christmas story and all that can be gathered from every piece and character involved.You my dear friends have given me visible examples of  the characteristics that Mary displayed. Thank you for your prayer support and your sacrificial financial support that has enabled me to serve Christ in this great country.

I always pray for you all every day. You have all been a gift all year long by being present in my life, and helping me sustain my ministry. I am so grateful to God for you. Merry Christmas!

 

Love,

Pastor James Owolabi

Transitions and Expansions!! Southside and Northside.....

                 I wanted to officially inform you all that I am stepping away from my responsibilities as a Youth pastor at New Beginnings Church on August 12, 2018. After spending two years with this organization, I have had the opportunity to learn so much about myself, inner city ministry, and strategies for reaching unchurched teenagers. When the Lord called me to move to Chicago I know that being a part of New Beginnings Church was definitely a part of His plan.

It has become a home away from home and the kindness that I experienced there when I arrived is exactly what I needed for that season in my life
                  That being stated, a lot of evolving has taken place within myself this year and I as I prayed for God to show me the next steps, He opened the doors for me to extend my ministry to the North Side of Chicago! After much prayer, I have accepted a position at North Side Gospel Center as their Associate Pastor of Evangelism and Outreach! I have also accepted a position to serve with the non profit organization, Slingshots, as their Assistant Director. Both of these opportunities will be under the leadership of my long time friend and mentor, Bob Anderson. I was unsure about these moves initially because it will be such a huge change in my life, however I realize it is a chance to grow in my leadership and it gives me a broader audience of teengers to reach. 

           Even though my primary church will now be on the North side of Chicago, I will be continuing to facilitate club events and do ministry work with Youth for Christ on the Southside! This new transition is the Lord’s way of enlarging my territory and blessing me with the responsibility of working on both sides of the greater Chicago area! I am excited about God’s Will for my life and I have to follow His directions. There were parts of me that were hesitant, but I know that just as I was blessed at New Beginnings, I will be blessed at North Side Gospel Center.Please keep me and both churches in your prayers! I greatly appreciate you all! 

Respectfully 

Pastor James Owolabi! 

 

Jesus Christ is bigger than my cultural boundaries! July 2018 Ministry Update

Dear Prayer Partners,

    Wow!! 2018 has been filled with major  personal setbacks and unexpected showers of blessings from God. On this first day of August and as I reflect on the past few months I am excited for what God has in store! This past weekend I had one of the my most memorable opportunities of an itinerant bible teacher! The Lord opened the door for to speak to a Chinese-American youth ministry in Naperville, Illinois from July 26th-July 29th 2018. Based on my past cross cultural experiences in other ministry context,  I was extremely honored but not initially super excited to serve at a  Chinese American atmosphere…(pray for me).

    I never would have guessed how touched and welcomed I would feel at this summer retreat. The teenagers at Living Water Evangelical Church were not like the typical youth groups that I encounter. These middle school and high school students were refreshing to my spirit, because I could tell how hungry they were for the Word of God! Not once was there an interruption to my presentation. Their willingness to drink deep from God’s word and take notes was unmatched by even some adult audiences. The worship team...Wow!!

I have never felt more respected and treasured as a guest pastor than by the students on this retreat. I have spoken to thousands of youth across my 20 years in ministry and although many retreats and camps have youth that enjoy my messages, the desire for the Word was striking with this particular group. Many students went out of their way to start conversation with me and during one of the lunch breaks a group of teenage boys and their leader invited me over for a Q&A! I enjoyed answering their well thoughtful and inquisitive questions about full time ministry work. It kept my personal morale very high as I worked through 6 different talks while feeling like a volcano was happening in my head and a tsunami was going on in my blood veins.

    After the first night I had a terrible drawback by catching the flu. I was aching, shivering, and had pounding headaches. With some of my energy effected and of course being visibly sick, I wasn’t sure how that would affect the response from the audience. To my surprise the students did not let my sickness all weekend  hinder them from getting God’s Word! I was blessed by a parent who overwhelmed me with the kindness she had to bring me medication after hearing I was ill. The graciousness of everyone I encountered truly made my experience as a whole better than I could have imagined.

After this awesome ministry experience here are three reflections:

• Jesus Christ is bigger than cultural boundaries and our foolish fears ! It is not everyday that a Nigerian American is asked to speak at a Chinese American Church. The fact that I was asked to speak at this event shows that God’s Word is for everyone and I am so glad that it unites us! I saw a handful of students make decisions that I personally believe will effect them forever. Students of all ages and genders commented to me that they appreciated the points from my sermons and I know that they saw me as a vessel in use of the Lord and not just my skin color. When students would give me compliments I could feel the genuine connections we made. I am grateful to have met Pastor Geoff who was so gracious to invite me and his hospitality showcased the need for us as leaders to invest in cross cultural relationships.

 

• The Word of God is powerful! I love that when the word is taught in different forums it always has the same impact. Even though my health was falling apart it did not cause a distraction or hesitation from the students because they already had set in their spirits that they were going to draw near to God’s Word regardless! They had a willingness to listen critically and they kept their hearts open to self reflection. I could see facial expressions change when I gave personal anecdotes from my life. Any gender or cultural barriers had no chance of surviving the mighty truth of the Bible! I love the bible because it never fails to change lives. I'm glad that it is a core value of my ministry to keep the bible at the center. I know that God purposed it to change lives and produce transformation. That is why I continually strive to always to teach the Bible with simplicity and depth.

“God, Make Me the Right Man!

Dear Young and Gifted Leader,

I love leaders who lead themselves well.
I love leaders who lead their wives well.
I love leaders who are treasured by their children.
I love watching leaders interact with their wives and children.
I love healthy African-American families.
I love seeing married black people.
I love seeing married black Nigerian Pastors who are liked by their wives.
I love to see black minsters treasure their wives as Christ cherishes the Church
I hate it when women in my life feel disrespected by me.

This Saturday, I attended a great, one-day conference in Chicago (Leadership Edge). The speaker was the disciplined, soft-spoken global leader, Pastor Sam Adeyemi (he leads a church with a weekly attendance of 20,000 people in Nigeria). He was joined by his wise, gorgeous,  capable and brilliant wife, Pastor Nike Adeyemi.

What brought joy to my heart was not so much the depth of wisdom that both speakers deposited into my mind, but the mutual respect and honor they they demonstrated publicly. I can't vouch for what happens behind closed doors in their home, but what I saw on stage was an intentional and spectacular Christ-honoring marriage. The synergy between them was remarkable! Both leaders were calm, cool, and collected as they shared their experiences about leadership and life. I was deeply impressed by Pastor Sam's profound affection for his wife. and she reciprocated with deep respect for him: She was late to a panel discussion, yet her husband let out no sneed, or “sarcastic” comments. Also, he listened when she spoke, and affirmed her thought process.

It is rare for me to see a high-profile and well accomplished Nigerian Pastor honor his wife as  a leader. His love for her was deeply evident. He even redirected questions toward her and she gave insights that were both profound and profitable. I left the one-day conference asking God for a great marriage, such as what I experienced on the stage that day. And God told me through a sermon yesterday that I should begin to be intentional more so about becoming “the right” man. You will attract what you are.

Thank you Lord. Help me Lord! Continue to do small things in great ways! Help me be the right man Lord! Lord, I love you!

Your Favorite Youth Pastor on the Southside of Chicago,

Pastor James Owolabi

Meet Pastor James Owolabi

^{Who is Pastor James Owolabi?}

^{Pastor James Owolabi has been a youth conference speaker for the past decade and a mission leader on the southside of Chicago with Youth for Christ!} 

^{Pastor James (PJ) was born and raised in Nigeria, West Africa, and spent his adult life in Chattanooga, Tampa, Seattle, Chicago and Indianapolis. He earned his B.S. in Pastoral Studies from Tennessee Temple University in 2002, a Master of Ministry in 2005 from Northwest Baptist Seminary, and has served in Youth Ministry for two decades in North America and West Africa.}

^{In 2012, he’s launched a national ministry through which he speaks nationally to middle school and high school students in Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, the Island of Dominica, Kentucky, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Washington.} 

^{In October of 2015, the Lord moved Pastor Owolabi to the southside of Chicago with the mission to reach and disciple 1000 teenagers in 5 years on the southside of Chicago. He leads four weekly events in Chicago consisting of over 150 students on the Southside of Chicago}

 

^{You can often catch James enjoying deep conversations with his close friends about church leadership, attending conferences, traveling the world, Asian food, reading biographies, and watching documentaries.}

^{God has enabled Pastor Owolabi with the ability to build up strong partnerships with churches, schools, and nonprofits in Chicago, throughout North America, and around the world. God has used these partnerships to aid him in mentoring and training next generation leaders and teenagers on the south side of Chicago to walk with Jesus Christ.} 

 ^{James is often described by his close friends  as  intense, driven, assertive, entrepreneurial, thoughtful, generous, loud, passionate and unconventional mission leader. He is an unmarried, radical believer in Jesus Christ, Nigerian-born, proud American, Starbucks-addict who is passionate about Jesus Christ, consuming podcasts, 5 miles walks, teaching the Bible to next generation leaders, and being a student of teenagers and students on the south side of Chicago. He serves churches, non-profits, and schools around the Chicago land and across the United States as a conference speaker, adjunct educator, youth ministry coach, and mission leader. Please watch the video below to learn about one of Pastor Owolabi's ministry partnerships in Chicago:}

James is excited about building new partnerships to help him reach over 1000 teenagers on the South side of Chicago. James is praying for God to lead more churches, organizations and business leaders to partner with him.  in this divine endeavor.If you would like to be a part of what God is doing through Pastor James Owolabi on Chicago’s south side, throughout North America, and around the world, please call Pastor James at (360) 471-7260