Endurance for the Spiritual Relay YAMS 2010 Empowerment Retreat Inspirational Luncheon Presentation Mrs. Dawn L. Walker General YAMS Coordinator

Philippians 3:12-17 In the New Century Version of the Bible, it reads: 12 I do not mean that I am already as God wants me to be. I have not yet reached that goal, but I continue trying to reach it and to make it mine. Christ wants me to do that, which is the reason he made me his. 13 Brothers and sisters, I know that I have not yet reached that goal, but there is one thing I always do. Forgetting the past and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I keep trying to reach the goal and get the prize for which God called me through Christ to the life above. 15 All of us who are spiritually mature should think this way, too. And if there are things you do not agree with, God will make them clear to you. 16 But we should continue following the truth we already have. 17 Brothers and sisters, all of you should try to follow my example and to copy those who live the way we showed you.

Which did you join? The focus of a Christian is not to run a Christian race, but a rather to participate in a Spiritual Relay. There is a distinct difference between a Christian race and a Spiritual relay.

Racevs. Relay A Christian race is an event that one participates in alone and they are following after Christ. Now, it’s not a bad thing to follow after Christ, but that alone is not enough particularly when one does it alone. To receive all of the benefits of being a Christian, one must participate in a process and one must help others in this same. This is the true definition of a Spiritual Relay. When you are running the race with hurtles, you are generally in the race all alone. As a runner, the hurtle may seem insurmountable. There is no way that you can jump this obstacle. But when you are running in a relay race, you can gain strength from the other members of your team.

It is my goal to give you some endurance for our spiritual relay.

Follow the Lead. God has given the vision to the leader who then shares it with the membership. The focuses for the YAMS this quadrennial are: SPF Technique P3s-Prayer Praise Parties Participation in local AIDS Walks, Breast Cancer Strides, and/or Special Olympics HIV/AIDS Awareness Project YAMS Retreat

Who’s Got Next? District YAMS Coordinators serve as Co- Leaders in this journey. The Co-Leader must share the vision of the leader in their respective areas. Communication is the key!

Pass the Baton! The best thing about being a part of this team is that you don’t have to be perfect; the key is to follow the pattern that has already been set. The two goals for this component is that the members are united and that they encourage one another.

Know the Strength of your Anchor. All relay races are won or lost in the last leg, therefore the anchor is the most important participant. Our anchor is JESUS! Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness; we dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus name. On Christ the solid rock we stand, all other ground is sinking sand.

In the End, We Will Win! In this spiritual relay race that the Young Adult Missionary Society will run, our strength does not come from me as the lead, the District or even the local Coordinators; but our strength comes from Jesus the Christ and a better understanding of Him.