Have spent most of the last year focused on me and Jesus.. The Lord has been redefining some key things in my life such as Hope, Faith, Surrender and Joy. Cannot express in the right words how important this season has been to my life and ministry. Times just listening to podcasts, studying scripture and times of prayer/worship.
For me community is everything… it keeps me out of my head (thinking negatively) and keeps me focus on what matters most – God & His people. “Community is only built when you intentional invest in others and have a give/take mentality.”
Was grateful to be apart of my cousin's wedding. Also for the time to travel and spend time in TN & GA with family and Friends
MINISTRY LIFE
Have some speaking engagements in April and May. Right now, I am accepting more speaking engagements, so if you or anyone you know are in need of a speaker for this Summer or Fall let me know.
I’ve had some solid interviews with some great larger churches. More interviews are being scheduled with other churches. Also working with recruiting agencies to help streamline this process and find a good fit for me. Hopefully, prayerfully, and Lord willingly I will have a new church family/home by the end of May. The waiting is such the hardest part of the search process.
You can join me in praying for God’s best during this process. I have some pretty cool friends and family members who are super supportive and making sure to reach out to me during this time.
“God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.” Ephesians 3:20 (MSG)
She was desperate (she cried out - Lord Have Mercy on Me)
She worshipped (she knelt before his feet)
She entered into a state of repentance
The Bible never records her name. This woman, who is identified by her nationality, understood her status and role in life. She realize at that moment that she was nothing.. And she went to the very person who could make her something. She humbled herself, cried out after him, worshipped him and accepted her position. Not a position of poverty or of sickness, or even helplessness for her daughter… but a position that would ultimately propel her into the Kingdom of Heaven… She was poor in Spirit.. Matthew 5:3
“Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”
Jesus rewards her faith by healing her daughter. Jesus always honors the faith that seeks mercy. She had no resentment, no anger about her situation; she only knew that Jesus was the Jewish Messiah who came to heal people, and for some reason He was in her town. She sought mercy from Him. And this time, Jesus responded with emotion (“O woman” has emotional force & undertones). Her faith was rewarded. And she became one of the early Gentiles to enter the kingdom.
Jesus went into a Gentile territory with a purpose… he was making a point that his Grace and Mercy was freely given to all those who thirst for him. He was sent to the house of Israel, but they chose to challenge & reject him.
She’s asking if Jewish “bad eating habits” resulted in a Gentile blessing. Can’t the Gentiles have what the Jews rejected? She wanted to know that if the provision that were made for the Jews was refused, could even the “dogs” take part in it now?
Sometimes, we are going to have to lay it all on the line… and it won't matter what our family or friends say, nor what our culture/world tells us. We HAVE to be so desperate and radical about the things that matters to us the most. This woman understood all of this. WILL WE? When you are desperate enough to worship in humility, and begin the process of repentance, Jesus looks passed the “identifiers” and circumstances of life and touches your now. This women’s faith saved her daughters life. What will your faith do?
Was offered free Sponsored Ad Space from Facebook/Instagram for my ministry... Friends and Student Pastors, be on the lookout for this. #NeedASpeaker #stumin #leadership #church #ministry #JesusFocused #youngpreacher
So awesome and honored to be featured on @mywhytv -- thankful to partner with them to spread the Gospel! Go check it out!!! www.mywhytv.com #JESUS #JesusFocused #leadership #mywhy
So awesome to be a part of & witness this last night seeing students gather under ONE Banner, JESUS! A worship gathering - across the city, across churches, across denominations - ONE body. Praying to see more of this for our generation and the next! Thanks @pmattray @realstudentstv for hosting. Great word, worship and community! #Fusion #Kalamazoo (at Kalamazoo First Assembly of God)
So I've released my 1st app on iOS, Android & WP10.. Go get it for the latest blogs, sermons & more. iOS Link in bio or search "iAMtransparent" #stumin #TheRiver #AliveandFree #Kalamazoo #ministry #ios
So it's this guy last night speaking as a Student Pastor.. Let's honor him by being presence. @dansmith418 has been a tremendous support and ally for me since coming to the River. Now, it's a huge honor that he is passing the baton to me. If you have ever been apart of Alive & Free, make sure to be here THIS SUNDAY! We are having Popeyes Chicken as well // share & repost this to invite your friends. #aliveandfree #Kalamazoo #stumin #TheRiver #honor (at The River)
This has been my personal motto & heartcry for most of my #Ministry life... "Wherever God is leading, I'm following!" He sent me to TN and now to MI... #WhereYouGoIGo #JourneyWithJesus #EnjoyTheJourney
@aliveandfreeyouth #Kalamazoo Fall Kick-off is tomorrow night.. Invited/Bring your friends. Doors open at 6:30pm, service at 7pm - The River Church. #AliveAndFree #StudentMinistry #Stumin (at The River)
There's just some people who affect you in a meaningful way.. People who prick your heart and spur you to greatness.. Men and women who are more then church people & mere friends. Words could not express the love and gratitude I have for these people. They will never know the kingdom impact they've made on me and my ministry. The Best is yet to come!!! #MyFamily #ThisIsHome #ForeverGrateful
11 months ago I resigned my position at a great church in Tennessee, that I was a part of for 19 months. And since then I have been apart of a long search to get back to what I love, ministering to young people at the right church. Through moments of faithfully waiting on the Lord, this season of transition & preparation, had its share of emotional roller-coasters, questioning - Are we there yet? and seeking the will of the Lord for myself. Lots of internal battles of uncertainty, loneliness, fear, lack of calling/giftedness and overwhelming tiredness that only my closest friends know. The feeling of not wanting to go to church or even pray (and I love both)… plus the weight of needing constant encouragement. I am super thankful for so many people who absolutely believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself. With that, I share this moment and announcement with them, for it was them who kept pushing me forward, even despite of their own (good or positive) desires/wishes for me. I still believe in the promises of God… the calling he placed in my life over 12 years ago and the hope that what he promised, he’s faithful to complete.
With all this being said, I am elated to officially announce that I've found a church the Lord has called me towards in this next season. I have accepted a role @ The River Church in Kalamazoo, MI to become their new Student Pastor - Youth & College Pastor. I will be relocating to this new city at the end of August, and anticipate the Lord doing marvelous things in and through us. The River is a growing, life-giving church with a lot of passion for Jesus and for their community. I had a chance to meet with their Lead Pastor, Rob Link and the rest of the leadership. Spent a few days with them here in Atlanta and flew up to Michigan to spend the Weekend with the Church.
As I step in this new role, I will be leading & overseeing all the ministries to 6-12th grade as my main focus; then leading and providing oversight of the college & young adults ministry; recruiting, training & leading a team of staff, interns & volunteers leaders (adults & students), a ministry to parents and finally creating a fun/engaging Christ-centered, creative and outward-focus (generous living/service) to young people. In order to transition properly, I will be partnering up with the current Student Pastor, Dan Smith, for the next 3 months. This will help me get the culture and DNA of the River, while developing community and leading. Like with anything new, there are huge steps of faith on both parties; huge step for me to relocate to a new city/region/climate and pastor at a growing inner city church (900+ attendance) and for The River Church to bring in a new staff pastor to pastor their young people. I would love your support (prayers, encouragements, etc) as we move forward. This is my prayer, that God would revive his wonderful fame/deeds (Habakkuk 3:2) in us as we have an expectancy of Him (Luke 8:40, Ephesians 3:16-20) as we live out the Gospel.
“It’s in the place of obscurity where Jesus develops you... the real you!” - Pastor Jason Laird
This scripture has wrecked & pierced me this entire for the last 6 months.. “Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character.” - Psalm 105:19 /// with all the dreams in my heart and promises over my life, I am still in the waiting stage till the Lord fulfill them BUT he is testing and teaching me about my character. What you do between the Promise and the Payoff is absolutely critical. How will you be found during the meantime of obscurity & greatness?
A lot has happened since I last gave you a mad dump.. So here we go:
PERSONAL LIFE
Started a regular job (in January) working with my cousin. This has allowed me to stay financially healthy while doing Ministry. Also afforded me the opportunity to get my own car!!!
Have spent most of the last 10 months focused on me and Jesus.. The Lord has been redefining some key things in my life such as Hope, Faith, Surrender and Joy. Can not express in the right words how important this season has been to my life and ministry. Times just listening to podcasts, studying scripture and times of prayer/worship.
For me community is everything... it keeps me out of my head (thinking negatively) and keeps me focus on what matters most - God’s people. “Community is only built when you intentional invest in others and have a give/take mentality.”
MINISTRY LIFE
Had some speaking engagements in February and May. Also did some traveling to TN and Michigan. I joined our Board of Advisors at my current church, Gateway Church in Suwanee GA. I absolutely love these people and call them family.
Was offered a FT Student Pastor position at a church and I have accepted.. More info coming later next week, with an official announcement. I am cuckoo for cocoa puffs excited about this ministry and the opportunity to lead a movement of young people.
Lastly, I am working on my first book project. I am in the initial phase and process ideas/concept. More to come soon! i am really excited about t
I would like to ask if your church would pray for my 25 year old daughter, Emily. She is in a domestic violence marriage. She has had problems with addiction in the past and has some other self-esteem issues as well. Thank you so much. Jackie Titus
Will be praying.. God knows and hears your heart for your daughter.
Had this song on repeat while walking.. Got me thinking how much I need the Lord to Breathe on the desires of my heart and promises over my life. I'm at the constant need of his tender breath freely blowing and whispering my name. Even our World needs his breath to fall afresh again!! I was thinking about Ezekiel 37 and Habakkuk 3:2. WE NEED REVIVAL!!! #BreathOfGod #Revival #Walking #TookALap #InWrathRememberMercy
Absolutely love this piece by my brother and dear friend @pastorjohnathan!!! I remember when he did this last year... And now he has gifted it to me! Can't wait to hang this up in my next office. #Friendship #EarlyBirthdayPresent #family
