Bible Teacher. Pastor.Educator.

Thank you Pastor Jim Porter and North Mason Bible Church

   A week ago I had the honor and privilege of preaching at North Mason Bible Church. Every time I get invited to preach it is always a special experience, however this particular trip really made me reflective and thankful to God as I transition this year into a new ministry as a “traveling preacher”. By the end of 2019 alone I will have been in over 25 different venues and  spoken to over 5,000 people.   

North Mason Bible Church of Belfair Washington (NMBC) has been sowing seeds into my life since I started Seminary in 2002. When I became a part of the ministry I was young, prideful, immature, and totally clueless about God’s calling on my life. Full time ministry was something I knew I wanted to do, but I felt so unsure of how, when AND IF that desire would ever become something in real life. Pastor Jim, the church family and his wife Carrie were put in my life by God to disciple me, mold me and teach me what I needed to know.

 For TEN years they mentored me, loved me and cared deeply for me and I would not be the man I am without them. My parents taught me in Nigeria about Jesus and led to the beginning of my walk with God then the Lord orchestrated everything in a way that Pastor Jim, committed members of the church and Carrie his wife could further cultivate and nourish my feelings towards the Lord

    The congregation at NMBC as a whole was incredible. The church community surrounded me with kindness and  displayed to me genuine faithfulness to serving God and good stewardship. The members were mostly retired or blue collar workers that had thriving family lives and incredible wisdom. The multi generational community of men and women who were diverse in politics, childhood experiences and life seasons all moved as a unit when they worshipped God. They adopted me as one of their own to the point that I had moments where I forgot I was an immigrant from West Africa. They believed in me for ten years  more than I believed in myself and their encouragement was vital to nourishing my young restless heart. The gifts, words of encouragement, and love from that time are still fueling me today.

Pastor Jim affirmed me privately and called me a catalyst for evangelism and always validated me by telling me that God had exceeded his expectations with my coming. Anyone who knows my immense struggle with speaking insecurity, depression as a teen, seasons of insomnia, and lifelong dyslexia disabilities could imagine what a 22 year old James was like to work with …. YIKES. However, Pastor Jim saw something deep inside of  me that I could not see despite the deep insecurities, impulsive actions, reckless ideas, and outward flaws.

Through God’s grace the church allowed me to grow and learn as a young bible teacher by encouraging me to be disciplined in every area of my life. My fellow youth leaders were extremely patient even when I was insensitive and stubborn (which was often). They would pick me up each time I fell flat and I appreciate that so much when I look back. I spent 10 years there as a youth Pastor and grew so close to Pastor Jim even with our contrasting personalities. He had an open door policy with me where I could always come to him with ideas and problems at any time! Trust me I took full advantage of that access and with each visit he would fill my empty cup with improvements and practical action steps that I could use to move forward. He calmed me, evaluated my sermons and challenged me to be great.

My budget for the youth was over $10,000 per year and this church paid me better than anyone since, I had health benefits, they allowed me to travel for speaking opportunities and paid me full time. I did not know how AMAZING I had life at the time and I wish I could go back and be more grateful. That unconditional love and nurturing is the main reason I can stick it out in Chicago during tough days. That season trained me in being diligent.

God allowed me to grow a fruitful and lively youth there where we had 50+ students attending youth in a church of 160 members. It was my guinea pig ministry. Fast forward 20 years and I work with over 150 teens per week and have spoken to thousands across the nation. God used a little church with less than 200 ppl to equip me as a Bible teacher who travels the world. How great is our God!

I would be remiss to leave out this last crucial part that I hope many leaders will take note of and apply with the young leaders around them. While I was at NMBC they affirmed me as a single man. They never made me feel like I couldn’t fulfil my calling without a wife. Years 30-35 while I was serving were difficult in the love life departments because I had many failed relationships and even a cancelled engagement that threatened to shake my confidence permanently. However, the community supported me as I dated with intention and never tried to force marriage on me.  I look back with fond memories and such deep joy. My prayer is that in the next 20 years I can provide that same kind of encouragement for young gifted leaders who are asking God to open doors for them.

Pastor Jim if you are reading, this I love you. You and many other godly couples helped me become the man that I am. Additionally, to the wonderful men and women on my youth ministry team while I was there, thank you for putting up with me. I was young and stupid (which I did not realize then) please forgive me for all the hurt I was in the process. I am a better man for it today. I pray many blessings on you all.

 

Respectfully,

James Owolabi

May 2019 Youth for Christ update from Chicago Southside City Life Director James Owolabi

May 2019 Youth for Christ update from Chicago Southside City Life Director James Owolabi

Dear Ministry Partners and YFC Supporters,

    I would like to thank you all for your prayers and the unwavering support that you have shown this school year. We have all played an important role in making an impact across the city of Chicago! Over 150 students in 4 different ministry environments have been touched with the word of God through our efforts! To God be the glory for each child that heard the Gospel and felt the love of Christ during the different programs we have in place.

The past 7 months alone have truly blown me away and I’m grateful for our partnership with New Beginnings Church which made our impact even larger. I’m thrilled to share with you the following praise reports:

• Seeing our partnerships with teachers, school administration, and parents becoming stronger! We have already gotten requests to start more clubs at additional campuses this Fall!
• Students both during school and after school are now looking forward to learning about God.

• This year alone we have seen 30 students surrender their life to Christ.
• We have expanded our efforts serve schools outside the southside of Chicago.

• The weekly Friday night event (Refuge) with our partners New Beginnings Church and Project H.O.O.D. has continually had 80+ kids in attendance each week.
• We are seeing God answer our prayers of staffing needs. We have over 10 volunteers now (that includes student leaders) at our Refuge events.

As we head into the summer and planning for the next school year is starting we are preparing to launch Campus Clubs inside of 2 new high schools due to the success and referrals from the schools we currently work with. This news is amazing, however please pray because we are understaffed and are currently attempting to figure out how we can find and equip people to help facilitate at the schools each week.

Thank you again for your spiritual and financial support, your prayers and very appreciated. It’s important to keep in mind how much of a light YFC provides for these students. Just last week I got a chilling phone call from a parent whose child was shot. This young man has visited one of our  events in the city  and even though he survived the bullet, the news is still sad and scary. Along with that, two students a grieving due to gun violence that has affected their family, I'm hoping the loss will not cause them to lose confidence in Christ. The community we serve is very at risk so every contribution we make truly causes a deep impact.

 

Respectfully,

Pastor James Owolabi

Youth for Christ: March 2019 Update

Quick Update from Youth for Christ Southside Chicago from James Owolabi

 

It is very exciting to be a part of a needed effort towards teaching Biblical principles and challenging teenagers on the southside of Chicago to live a life for Christ through the ministry of Youth for Christ. There are over 100 students in four environments every month that are being greatly impacted by this ministry. The first two pictures are two campus life clubs, each hosted at Perspectives Middle School. The third picture is the high school city life club, which is also hosted at Perspective High School:

Campus life and City Light students at Perspectives High school and Perspectives Middle Schools have continued to kindle the desire to learn about the Lord, and take their time after school to hear about the Bible. It has been very heart warming and encouraging to see! Over  60 students at all of three clubs meet with us every other week.

I wish I could say the same with Refuge and our partnership with New Beginnings church of Chicago. We recently saw over thirty teenagers give their lives to Christ. It was so exciting to see students raise their hands to become followers of Christ! I was so thrilled I could not sleep that night!!

 However, unfortunately it was short lived, attendance there has decreased from averaging 100 to 60 students per week, due to a series of 30 suspensions and 20 students that we had to be permanently banned because of violent behavior.

Thank you so much for your continued thoughts and support. Please let me know how I may pray for you.

Respectfully,

Pastor James Owolabi
Youth for Christ  Chicago Southside City Life Director 

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.