Way back in 1981, a friend and I started "Spectrum Ministries," a ministry dedicated to the very poor just across our border in Tijuana. My friends backed me up and financed the new ministry and did it grow.
Because of the many years I did youth ministry here in San Diego, I thought of the potential of introducing American teens to become involved in an actual missionary ministry in a foreign country. Our Church is located right along the north south freeway. It became a great staging center for housing week-end groups.
I was always grateful for the years our Church hosted these teen groups from all over the nation.
This 'minister with us' concept grew and soon we were attracting groups from all over the U.S. Hundreds of groups added to thousands of teens and adults being introduced to a 'hands on' experience of actually serving the poor, aged and handicapped.
Often I look back at those fruitful years where teens could immerse themselves in frontline ministry along with countering a radically different culture. I feel those visits made a powerful impact on teens as they evaluated their lifestyle in contrast with the true poverty around them.
Now, some fifteen years later, how did that trip, or those trips impact their present lifestyle? I wonder if any would consider returning to serve the poor in Tijuana?
Just wondering if that "jump-start" experience really started anything, actually did it make a difference in lives?
