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The texts Philippians 2:5-7 and Galatians 5:13 “serving one
another in love”, are examples of my favourite Bible
passages and are never far from my mind. My desire is to
honour God in serving and as National Director of SU
Portugal I have plenty of opportunity to do just that.
The story began about 6 years ago as a volunteer ... or even
before that … 8 years ago when I first went to Bible School
to do degree in theological studies. At the time I thought I
would maybe consider working full time for the Lord when I
was in my forties. But as the Lord says in the Bible,
“My ways are not your ways” two years later I was already a
volunteer with SU, writing bible notes for teens and young
adults and leading the Bible Camp for 8-12 year olds in the
summer. Then the former National Leader invited me to work
full time for SU as his successor - Whooo!!! All I could
think was... that’s a huge responsibility, but one way I
have of checking whether something comes from God is if He
says the same thing to my wife’s heart as well. So after 7
months of praying together and talking with our mentors we
decided to accept the invitation.
It hasn’t always been smooth. I mean, leaving my secular job
wasn’t really hard, but it was a great challenge to engage
in SU activities and introduce new ones particularly as SU
Portugal has a long history and celebrated its 60th
Anniversary last year.
Personally, my biggest challenge continues to be "How can I
bring SU to the new generations to come, with fresh new
approaches and new, committed Bible engagement?" I’m sure
I’m not alone in this and it is likely that every leader is
thinking right now: "How can I bring the Gospel to children,
teenagers and young people in a clear, relevant and
cutting-edge way? I certainly don’t know all the answers yet
but I am convinced that “serving” is at the top of the list
because Paul says that is no longer Andre “that lives but is
Jesus that lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). I would like to
serve all those people God puts in my way by allowing Jesus
to reach them through my life and through my words.
Bible Camps, Bible Notes, KidsGames, FamilyGames, Daily
Bible Reading Promotion meetings, are some of the tools
which SU Portugal uses to bring Jesus to all, and I am
grateful to the small but exceptional staff in SU Portugal!
But we want more so by the end of 2010 SU Portugal, in
partnership with OM Portugal, are going to promote the
“Dream Machine 3”, a congress designed to motivate and
mobilize young people to serve. We expect 800 young people
to join in and be challenged to serve in Portugal and
throughout the globe. Around 30 Christian organizations will
be offering different ministry opportunities regarding World
Missions. Please pray for all the young people that will be
challenged during this congress.
In closing I would like to share another verse which God is
laying on my heart at the moment: Ephesians 2:10 For we are
God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do.
By the way - I am married with the most beautiful woman in
Portugal, we have a daughter Magdalena... and in a few
weeks’ time I will tell you if the baby we are expecting is
a boy or a girl!
André Mota, National Leader SU Portugal
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