Purpose

"The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why." 

- Mark Twain

I've heard this quote many times before, but these words didn't mean much to me until I heard them again just a few weeks ago.

In 2010, God put a desire on my heart to put a youth conference together called Fuel the Fire.  After almost a year of fundraising, booking, scheduling, practicing, promoting, etc. the event finally came together.  We had over 500 people attend from all over California.  75 dedicated their lives to God that night.  The altar was filled with countless people who had a life changing experience that night.  At that point in my life, I really wanted to be on stage - singing for Jesus, not working behind the scenes.  However, this night changed everything. 

During altar call, I went to the back of the building we were using to just take in what God was doing that night.  I took this photo in complete awe at what He has used me for.  This event was bigger than anything I could have ever imagined; it had a real impact on lives - bringing people closer to who God wanted them to be.

Right after taking this photo, I realized what God wanted me to do.  Suddenly, putting events together had become my passion.  I especially loved booking and promoting. 

In the middle of my paramedic program at ARC, I switched to a major that would bring me closer to doing what I had become so passionate about:  Music Business. 

I was starting over - but it was completely okay because I knew where I was going.  I didn't exactly know how God had planned for me to get there - but I knew He had it covered.

Fast forward 5 years:  Just a few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to bring Air1 to the My City youth conference at Capital Christian.  During Hillsong Young and Free's worship set, I decided to snap a few photos of the event to add to our social media.  After taking this photo, I looked at it and had a moment of realization:  I'm right where God wants me to be - Doing the exact thing he had set a fire in me to do.  I am blessed with the opportunity to be used by Him daily in a full time ministry - working with music, connecting with people, and being led by God to make a difference in the lives of our listeners.

I feel such peace and joy;  I feel overwhelmingly blessed to be able to do something I am so incredibly passionate about - knowing I am right where He wants me to be.

God has such an incredible purpose for each of our lives.  There are no words to describe the feeling of knowing what that purpose is - and this is only the beginning of the wonderful things He is doing in my life.

On that note, I leave you with my favorite verse:

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. " -Jeremiah 29:11 

-jennilea

Cryfest - I Love My Job.

So I have the best job ever.  Over the last 3 weeks, I've been training in my new position as a Promotions Manager at K-LOVE and Air1.  It's still surreal to me that I am already in my dream job...my last place of employment (God willing).  This was the desire of my heart and God absolutely delivered!  Everyday, I get to wake up, happily go to work, and serve God through a ministry that has such a huge impact on the lives of our listeners - and on the lives of all of the wonderful people who work behind the scenes.

What are my duties?  I came from the Run-TNC Listener Services night crew, where I had the opportunity to take call after call from our listeners, and now I get to meet with them face to face at events.  We plan and schedule events we are attending, create spots, do giveaways, run social media (at this time, I encourage you to follow @air1norcal and @klovenorcal on Instagram), and so much more.  My favorite part though is that we connect with really incredible people.

Each month, all employees get together for a team meeting (field employees watch online).  At these team meetings, there is often worship, fun, and stories that we otherwise wouldn't hear.  The videos are made extremely well - and the stories are touching and often intense.  So much so that I end up crying at literally every one of them.  Without fail.  I don't cry often at all...so it's actually a little refreshing to be part of this cryfest.

What I love most are the things that make me cry though.  I love the stories, and the opportunity to pray and praise God for what He is doing in my life and through our ministry.  Immediately after the meeting, I posted the following to Instagram:

I just got out of our monthly team meeting/cryfest and I am just in awe. The things God is doing through K-LOVE and Air1 just amaze me...and I get to be part of that?! Today we got our photo book, which we get each year - sort of like a year in review thing. These aren't just books though; they are a snapshot of how God has been able to use this ministry in the lives of others. There are outreach and event stories, mentions of new stations and upgrades - but my favorite part is the listener stories. Reading about what God is doing in their lives and how they are being changed is just incredible. As pointed out in our meeting, these books help us to see what is happening all around the world as a result of this ministry. They help us remember our purpose. To wake up each day saying, "Hey God, I'm going to work. How can I serve you today?" I am blessed to be part of something so life-changing, not just for our listeners, but for everyone here at K-LOVE and Air1. ‪#‎ididntdothat‬ ‪#‎Goddidthat‬ ‪#‎bestjobever‬ ‪#‎blessed‬ ‪#‎klove‬ ‪#‎air1‬

I get to wake up every single day to work full time in a ministry.  I don't even have words to describe how fortunate I feel to be part of such a wonderful outreach.  I love and am passionate about every part of this job and can't wait to see how God uses me in this.  I am so grateful.

In other news:  I'd like to address the subject of cyber-bullying.  While it does happen to teens, for the most part, it isn't just limited to them.  Yep - sometimes, adults choose to attack others through their various social media platforms in the form of private messaging, commenting, and even cyber-stalking. Bullying is pretty disgusting no matter where/how it's occurring.  I found a pretty interesting article in Huffington post, explaining the "heartache of bullying" discussing a side that isn't often represented.  A very noteworthy quote:   "In many cases, bullying acts as a coping mechanism and a way to overcompensate for lack of self worth."  There is so much truth in that statement.  You can read more from this article here.

-jennilea