“Our prejudices arise from the fear of things we do not understand. If my generation has a single goal, it must be to promote education – education that advances us not only technologically, but also intuitively and emotionally. In today’s fast-paced world, advancing has to mean more than scientific discovery; it is our responsibility to force ourselves beyond our comfort zones and become knowledgeable about the people around us.”

-Jessica Arden Ettinger (Starbucks customer and student at the University of Virginia)

*Found the quote  on a Starbucks cup.

This is from my interview with Zak White of Revolution Church:

Ileana, share who you are, what you love, what you do, age, etc in a few sentences.

My name is Ileana (aka @CountryCuban), I’m 17, and what I love are Jesus, and people. What am I most passionate about in life? Loving Jesus, loving people, and making sure the latter can tell I love the former. It really is that simple, the rest of my life is just details.

What ministries do you serve in at your church?

Currently, I serve at Flamingo Road Church in Cooper City, FL. Flamingo Road is a multi-site Church, and I serve at the Internet Campus as the Director of Online Communities. I also serve on our outreach team called Seats2Streets. My heartbeat has to do with mass communications, social justice, and intertwining the two.

Honestly, my love for Jesus and people is what ultimately motivates me to serve my heart out. I love people way too much to just sit in a chair, and not try to impact their lives. Miami is the second most unchurched city in the United States, and I firmly believe it’s because many people here see Miami as a lost cause. It’s not a lost cause…it’s a city that God loves, Christ died for, and an amazing plan for it. If I can do anything to contribute to that plan, I’m going to do it.

The first thing that the pastors can do, is tell them that they need help! Us teens aren’t usually the ones who are going to make the first move. Tell us about the need, so that we can fill it.

Don’t assume that we’re going to say no…give us a chance. If you need help in the tech area, say it! If you need help in the children’s ministry, say it! Don’t only say it, but take time to actually know the youth in the youth group. Obviously it might be hard for the youth pastor to get to know everyone, especially if it’s a larger church. Get a core group of 5 young leaders (which is what Flamingo has) to really get to know the students. When the students feel that they belong, they will want to serve. We have to feel like we belong to something before we would want to contribute to that something.

Really, it’s the way that Flamingo chooses to partner with people to reach their God-potential. It’s not just a cheesy motto, it really is what they do. I’ve been a part of many churches, but none have invested so much into me, despite my age.

Flamingo didn’t see my age as a disadvantage like most did, they saw it as an advantage. I think that’s where the real problem lies in many churches. There are many kids like me, and not all of us are called to serve in the youth ministry, contrary to what many may believe. I started off serving in the youth ministry and it was great, but I wanted to do something different. Flamingo didn’t make me stay serving there just because I was a teen. They let me take on an extremely vital position in the Internet Campus, and it was a perfect fit, because it was a passion of mine. That’s the cool thing at Flamingo. Of course we have teens serving in the youth ministry, but we also have them serving in parking, children’s, the internet campus, doing tech, making food, and so much more. Flamingo firmly believes in building up people, not just ministries… no matter their age.

Really, I would just continue harping on not limiting teens because of their age. 1 Timothy 4:12 has a pretty big thing to say about that. I am grateful that they chose to not clip my wings.

The last big thing I would say would help is mentoring. I know mentoring can sound like a scary and intimidating thing, but us teens need more than you can imagine. The world we live in is a crazy, peer pressure filled environment, and we need to be able to turn to adults other than our parents sometimes for advice. Invest in a teen… you won’t regret it.

This Christmas, I didn’t go on vacation.

Instead, I got to be a part of one of the most amazing things I’ve ever gotten to be a part of. I got to be a part of the Flamingo Road Church Christmas services. Those three days were absolutely incredible, and I can’t even describe properly the life-change that happened. I saw thousands literally come to Christ, and saw four of my friends get baptized. God worked in crazy ways this past Christmas, and I know He’s not done yet. 2010 is going to be another year of watching lives change, and I can’t wait!

This is me, a little over a year ago, at Harvard. A lot can happen over a year… a lot can change.

Little did I know a year ago…

- How many amazing people would walk into my life.

- How many people would walk right out of it.

- How many friendships would turn into something beautiful.

- How many friendships would drift further apart.

- How many times I’d say too much.

- How many times I wouldn’t say enough.

- How many walls I’d let down.

- How many walls I’d still keep up.

- How many times God would close doors.

- How many times God busted Heaven’s doors open.

- How many times I’d doubt my faith.

- How many times I couldn’t be more sure of it.

- How many times I made people proud.

- How many times I let people down.

- How many times I’d get out of my comfort zones.

- How many times I’d change my mind about my future.

- How many tears I’d cry.

- How many laughs I’d share.

- How many smiles I’d flash.

- How many hugs I’d give.

- How many lives I’d impact.

- How many lives would impact me.

A couple of months ago in class, we were having a conversation about some different Indie bands that had recently gone mainstream. One of the bands that came up, was Death Cab for Cutie. However, a classmate who butted his way into the conversation halfway in and wasn’t paying attention ended up sticking his foot in his mouth rather quickly. He said, “Deaf Cats for Cutie?! What a stupid band name!” Yeah… not quite.

Now, this is exactly what happens to us as a leader sometimes. We can’t expect to come half way into a conversation or in the middle of someone explaining an idea, and fully understand/grasp what they are talking about. As a leader, you have to be able to be intentional, and you have to be able to listen. When someone is talking, listen. Listen to every word they say, pay attention, and give them your undivided attention. If you don’t, you just might end up saying something about some cats who are deaf for cutie.

“Your greatest regret at the end of your life, will be those lions you didn’t chase. You will look back longingly on risk not taken, opportunities not seized, and dreams not pursued. Stop running away from what scares you the most, and start chasing the God-ordained opportunities that cross your path.”

- Mark Batterson, “In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day”

Last night, I stayed up till 2am watching the U2 LIVE concert webcast. It started at 12am EST and although I would’ve loved to have snuck in some sleep, I could NOT miss out on history in the making. I’m not sure if people really understand just how crazy this live global webcast was. It was the 1st of its kind. Surely, it won’t be the last of its kind. Over 100,000 were live at the Rose Bowl, but MILLIONS more watched online, and felt the magic that is U2. Now, although it was a crazy huge step for the music/entertainment industry, I feel as though it was a huge step for internet campuses all over the world.

Millions watched, and felt as though they were right there experiencing it live. Millions grasped what was going on live and were able to attend the concert. Millions were able to come together, with millions from around the globe. It was legit. Internet campuses also provide a legit experience. U2 did a global LIVE concert for the first time, but we do several LIVE experiences every week at Flamingo Road Church. Check out www.frclive.tv this weekend if you get a chance. It’s got legit fellowship. It’s a legit experience. It’s a legit campus.

It could just change your perspective on a few things…

As I sat in a studio taking my Senior portraits this weekend, there was a mother looking through some photos with her son. She was in her mid-40’s and while looking at the photos said, “I would love this job. You know, I have a knack for taking photos… I should’ve done that as a career and followed my dream.” She then quickly closed the book, and sighed heavily as though regretting the path that her life ended up taking.

I don’t want that. I don’t want to live my life in a manner that 30 yrs. down the road, I wish I would’ve done my passion or followed my dream. I want to live my life doing what I love, and I want to live my life knowing that when God called me to something (no matter how crazy it was), I did it. I want to leave a legacy that when God called me to move or to jump, I responded by, “How high?!”

Don’t live your life in regret. It’s not too late to turn around, and follow that dream that you’ve always dreamt. The crazy big passion you have for something, use it! God put it in you for a reason, and it’s not to wish you would’ve acted upon it!

Catalyst 2009 Compassion Moment from Catalyst on Vimeo.

THIS is why I sponsor a little girl from the DR, through Compassion International.

Moments like these, restore my hope in my faith, in my world, and in all humanity. Here in this video, Jimmy Wambua from Kenya met Mark, his Compassion International Sponsor of  over 19 years (From Canada)… for the 1st time on stage. It was an unbelievable moment (Jimmy begins to talk at around 3:45).

This moment absolutely wrecked me. I was trying to maintain my composure and be the “cool” Christian, but there was just no way. Every single person was crying in the arena, and in watching in absolute awe as we got the chance to share in this incredibly special moment. In this video, it was like Jesus was hugging Jimmy. Mark was doing exactly what Jesus had commanded us ALL to do. Even now as I watch this video, I relive the moment again… and can NOT hold back the tears. This is compassion at it’s finest. This is doing what Jesus did at it’s finest.

By the way, Jimmy is currently a student at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, and is getting a Masters degree. NEVER underestimate the ability you have to impact a person’s life. That $38 monthly check is so much more than just money… it’s hope.

Catalyst was AMAZING. One of my favorite sessions was with Chuck Swindoll. Here are just 5 of the little nuggets that he shared with us that he’s learned, from 50 yrs. of ministry:

- “Tradition is the living faith of those now dead. Traditionalism is the dead faith of those still living.”

- “We must be willing to leave the familiar methods without disturbing the Biblical message!”

- “God can’t pour His blessings into hands that are already full (with stuff WE are hanging on to).”

- “When God wants to do an impossible task, He takes an impossible person & CRUSHES them. Always, always, always… leave room for the crushing.”

- “Brokenness and failure are necessary. They drive us to the cross.”