Becoming an Insider

Paul and Richard (middle), one of our Destino leaders

at Fullerton, hang out with Luis, another student at a

bowling event for the Latino Business Student Association.

Being effective in full-time ministry means living life as a learner.  This has been especially true working with Destino.  We’ve found, the best way to learn a new culture is to enter into it as much as possible.  Become an insider by building trusting relationships with those already there.  This is something Paul has embraced on many levels as he leads at Cal State Fullerton.  One of the ways he has done this is by joining the Latino Business Student Association.  It might seem strange, since he is neither Latino nor a student, but his involvement has given him some great opportunities to learn and build relationships with Latino students on campus.  He has even had opportunities to attend a couple of Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce events to meet Latino business leaders in the community.  As Paul has built these relationships and become more familiar with the community, these LBSA students have had the opportunity to hear about Destino.  Coming in as a representative of Jesus and Destino, the attitude to want to learn and serve all the Latino communities on campus has been both surprising and very welcomed by LBSA and other groups like it.  These communities have been able to partner in various events, providing support and service to each other.  Most importantly, these students have been exposed to a community that is loved and led by Jesus.  It is through these relationships, both individually and corporately, that the gospel will be experienced.  They will have opportunities both to hear and see who God is and what He is doing for His people.  This is the type of ministry God has called us into.  Though it may seem slow and difficult to see fruitfulness in the short term, this building up and immersion in the community is invaluable long-term...for both the students of Fullerton and Paul.