Serving in the Church

Hey Besties 🤍 we’re back! We missed chatting with you all and hope you had an amazing Easter reflecting our Savior. Today we are talking about serving in the church. What it looks like, how to navigate balance, and areas where we have experienced burn out. We hope you guys feel encouraged to get involved, but more importantly prioritize the secret place!

Transcript

SPEAKER_04 0:00

Hey besties! Welcome back to Jesus and Besties. My name is Jasmine.

SPEAKER_01 0:06

Tatiana.

SPEAKER_04 0:07

Um it's been a while. We hope that you guys had an amazing Easter and just spent the time reflecting on what Jesus did for us, all of us, and it was it was a busy Easter, but it was just so good to be able to just spend that time with our community, with our family, and just reflecting um the true meaning of Easter.

SPEAKER_01 0:32

Yeah. How do you feel after um your first Good Friday service?

SPEAKER_04 0:36

I absolutely loved it, guys. This was like actually my first Good Friday um service that I've ever been to, and it was so heavy. How like our um the church we attend, they were just kind of saying, like, you know, we we are not rushing to the resurrection, but we are sitting in the waiting, and it was so heavy. Like, I did not think it was gonna be that heavy. It was well, I was like sobbing, I was so sad, and um, it really just changes your perspective on things.

SPEAKER_01 1:15

Yeah, I'm so glad you got to experience it though. It was so last year was my first one, it was it was it was heavy. I remember telling people that's like a funeral, like it's yeah, it's really not hopeful, but it kind of also gives a look into how the disciples felt when Jesus was talking about coming into glory, and then they're looking at him on a cross and they're like, This is glory. Like, what does it make sense? So it's but I like that our church teaches that, like we don't need to rush to Sunday, like let's just acknowledge like the sacrifice part first.

SPEAKER_04 1:48

That's good. Yeah, I loved it. Um personal update. I know, where have we been? We've been sick.

SPEAKER_01 1:56

I'm like, um, we have been Jasmine got sick, and then I got tossy on it, and then I got sick. I got sick on Easter weekend, so I did not go to the Good Friday service. I watched it in my room and it actually felt a little heavy in my room. So I could only imagine how it felt in there. Um, from what I remember last year, it was it was pretty heavy. Like I remember weaving, I was so sad. I was so sad, yeah. Um I was able to rest Saturday and like muster myself up for Sunday for a service, and then I just went back to bed.

SPEAKER_04 2:28

Yeah, we haven't been around, guys, because you know, we it was just more like that we got sick. Yeah, um, and then on top of that, it was like Easter weekend and it just got really busy. I still kind of am sick. It's been a while.

SPEAKER_01 2:42

I know Jekai's Jasmine's still sick.

unknown 2:46

Really?

SPEAKER_01 2:47

We were talking about this, like, we've been sick. I'm like, girl, you're still sick.

SPEAKER_04 2:52

No, I really am. Um, I feel better now. Yeah, but like I just still have a little bit of congestion that hasn't gone away. Um, and I was talking to my co-workers, I've been sick for like two weeks already. And my co-workers, when I got sick, they were like, oh girl, good luck, because we have been, we just got better and it's been three weeks. We were sick for three weeks. Something like a lingering a lingering, yeah. It's been, yeah, a lot of people are like, oh, sick forever. Yeah. Tatiana only got sick for a couple days. I'm like, well, I wish I was me, but no, I like got sick. I still am. Like, my voice is still kind of like raspy, but I feel a ton like better.

SPEAKER_01 3:33

Guys, Jasmine's sick and she's still going to the gym. She's still going on her runs.

SPEAKER_04 3:36

Like, well, I feel better now. Like, I was down. I was like, man, down for like a while.

SPEAKER_01 3:43

I would have been like, I still have phlegm. I can't go.

SPEAKER_04 3:47

No, I did. I was like, I do have like a little bit of phlegm. So I literally been just like, uh, I probably shouldn't go run. But like when I go run, like it's not bad. Like, you know what I mean?

SPEAKER_01 3:57

It's just like you can push yourself, like to where you yeah. Yeah, I don't push myself like that. Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 4:02

But um, yeah, hopefully it like this new week. I think this week is gonna be much better.

SPEAKER_01 4:08

Yay! And I'm excited that we're back. I know, I'm happy. What are we talking about today? Ooh, you tell us. No, you just we start going back and forth. We don't even know the title. We're just talking. That was the episode. We're just giving an update. No, but we're talking about um uh serving. This episode's called A Heart to Serve. Um, and we just felt like we mentioned a lot in the episodes like our community where we serve and our church and things like that. So we wanted to just um bring you guys more into that and what that looks like for us, what we've learned, because me and Jasmine have definitely had our share of burnouts. Yeah. Where we had to learn, like, okay, this is what serving means, not like earning love or anything like that. And I'm sure there's plenty of people who feel like that too. So that's what we're gonna talk about today.

SPEAKER_04 5:02

I'm really excited about it because I feel like me and Tatiana really have a heart to serve, and we do it because we love it. It's not, you know, but sometimes we can get caught up on like getting tired and we don't really like we need to learn how to balance it out, and I feel like we've done that. Um, so honestly, it's been it's been um such a journey serving, but it's so amazing. It's it's a beautiful feeling to be able to serve others um and think of others, you know?

SPEAKER_01 5:36

Yeah, I think it also highlights too how the enemy can pervert a heart that wants to serve because we can get tired and we can get just like ridiculous thoughts of how if I do more I'll be a little bit more and things like that, and that's just not true. So we're excited to talk about this. Yeah, super excited. So do we want to read first Peter?

SPEAKER_04 6:00

Yes, let me read First Peter. I think it's like 410, right? Okay. So it is God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ, all glory and power to him forever and ever. Amen.

SPEAKER_01 6:41

Amen.

SPEAKER_04 6:41

That's so good. I love that. I feel like that's a good thing. This is a good one, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 6:45

It is. I feel like we can I don't know about you, but I can't overcomplicate things where it says plainly like we naturally have these gifts, and God wants to use them to glorify his church and his love because we all have Christ within us, and just like that reflection of him that can shine through us through gifts he's given us that just come to us so like naturally.

SPEAKER_04 7:07

Yeah, it's really beautiful because if you really like set take a step back and you really look at what other people's gifts are, it's amazing. Like, I think about for example, like we have our prayer team, like we have our um like freedom prayer team, right? And that is like people that are also like prophetic, you know, and like not everybody has that gift, but I never really learned that until I started going to church. And so like I look at you and I'm like, wow, like my friend is so prophetic. Like she, I honestly am like, wow, Tatiana is so prophetic. So I love when she gives me like a prophetic, encouraging word or you know, or a vision that she sees like of uh something that the Lord is like telling her. Um, because I'm just I get excited and I think that is so beautiful because I'm not prophetic like that, you know. I just don't think that is I mean, I guess I am a little bit, I think you but um not I don't know, like it's it's a struggle for me, you know. But I feel like for you it comes so naturally, you know, and so um I think it's so nice to be able to see other people's gifts.

SPEAKER_01 8:23

I like I do too, and then like seeing the Lord work in them and working through that person.

SPEAKER_04 8:28

Yes, to like bless his other children too, like you know, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 8:32

Even like people who evangelize. I know we're all called to evangelize, but seeing people who like are very passionate about it, like it's so refreshing to see like they genuinely care about other people's souls. Yeah, and it reflects the Lord, like I know the things you've done, but I don't care. I just want you to come home and let me take care of you and you know care for you and it's okay.

SPEAKER_03 9:00

Yeah, I do agree.

SPEAKER_01 9:01

Yeah, that's a good segue into our first question. What has the Lord gifted you with to serve others?

SPEAKER_03 9:10

I do you want to go first? Or do you do I go? Me? Okay. What was the question we got?

SPEAKER_00 9:18

What has the Lord we're so back? What has the Lord gifted you with to serve others?

SPEAKER_04 9:26

I don't know. I feel like I do have a lot of gifts. Um but I think like I think he has gifted me with like dude, this is a good question because like I don't know. Like I know I have gifts, but like I don't really like to talk about because I'm like, oh what if that person doesn't, you know, this is a me problem. But it's like, what if that person doesn't think I you know, but I think he has like given me the gift to like of like joy, yeah, um, and for others to be able to see that, like of um just being like happy, and I say this in the most humblest like way, but like especially I've always been a happy person, yeah, but like I really do feel like as I've gotten closer to the Lord that He's giving me like a true, like just I don't know, a gift of joy, like to be able to reflect that um to other people to help motivate and and encourage them. Um I don't know what do you think?

SPEAKER_01 10:29

I would say that and like ambition.

SPEAKER_04 10:31

Really?

SPEAKER_01 10:32

Like it would take a lot to stop you doing something. I feel like what like you're a hard so yeah, I feel like you're a hard cookie to crack when or whatever that saying is like but when it comes to like doing things, like you're a doer. Wow, and even with just like what you have, you're like, I don't need nice things, I can do like this, like you know what I'm saying? Whereas so I feel like a lot of people would be like, Well, I want the nice thing, and it's like you're not really concerned about the package, but the content. Like, I heard someone say that the other day, and I was like, That's so jasmine. Oh, that's yeah, because I used because guys, like I used to be the person who like because we've been going to the gym in the morning, and it would be, and Jasmine can tell you can tell you, I it was a struggle for a girl, and the night before you she'd be like, Jim, Jim, and I'd be like, I'm tired, girl. Like we went to go with young adults in E, like it's 11 o'clock, you'd be like, Well, someone's gotta get up, and like and she would call me, but now I call her.

SPEAKER_04 11:27

Yeah, she calls me and wakes me up.

SPEAKER_01 11:29

Yeah, and she's like, I'm uh so it's it's a struggle. Yeah, I think that's the hardest part though, just getting up. But once we're in the car, I'm like, we did it.

SPEAKER_04 11:36

Yeah, and then like I think I'm a I'm a giver.

SPEAKER_01 11:39

I love to give like you're very generous.

SPEAKER_04 11:43

I love to give like because I love it, but like I don't expect other like people to give me anything.

SPEAKER_01 11:49

That's and that's the heart of it. Like you give without expecting something back. Like that's I I feel like and I feel like a lot of people like they give expecting something in return, but you you just you really do just give freely. Like whether it's like paying for Starbucks or food or even just like wisdom or something, like you, you know.

SPEAKER_04 12:11

Yeah, I've always been a giver though. I'm like, eh, whatever. I love it. Like I love it. Even gifts, like even like if someone's starting a party, like a little party or something, I'm like, I'll help you, like I'll order these things and I'll do it. Like, I am just like a giver, bless you. Um, and I I I just don't expect anything back. And I always think of that too. I always think of the Lord, like even when I struggle and I'm like, man, like I really feel called to like give this or whatever, like to this person or this much money, or like, you know, I'm like, but I'm broke, Lord, and then I'm like, wait, like no, like I know the Lord will like provide, like no matter what, and he always has, like, no matter what, like the Lord has always provided, you know.

SPEAKER_01 12:55

And so I think that's just you know, we have we have two friends in our group that they have birthdays coming up, and the first thing Joseph said was, I can help decorate. She's like, I can play just tell me the colors and the thing. It was so funny, but yeah.

SPEAKER_04 13:08

I get excited, I don't know. I love I love seeing people happy. Yeah, I love seeing people feel loved and happy, like especially like on their birthdays. I just feel like you know, yeah, but um can I say like I I said this earlier, but I can tell like you your gift and then whatever you think. Because I think it okay, you're prophetic.

SPEAKER_01 13:36

The heart, I think I think my my gift, thank you. I think my gift is encouragement. I love encouraging people, even if it's just telling somebody like at the drive-thru or something, you're so pretty. Um which is the heart of prophetic. So if you can encourage your basically like you're already there. Um but I love to encourage people. I think it's actually so sad when I do that, and their face just lights up, and I'm like, Do you not think you're pretty? Or like like I don't know. I don't know, it makes me so sad, but I love telling people they're pretty or you have pretty eyes, or things like that. And then um you have pretty eyes. Thank you. I always tell Taltiana that thank you. And then I've been starting to embrace like my gentleness. I feel like I can be very gentle. And growing up, I used to think it was so bad, but now I'm embracing it because that's one of the fruits of the spirit. And some people need like a little extra gentleness because they probably come from a lot of chaos. So they don't really see like is Jesus gentle until like they see it in a person. They're like, Oh, okay, well, if you're this, like if you're loving, if you're kind, if you're you know, how much more is God? You know?

SPEAKER_04 14:54

So you're so encouraging, you are so gentle. Oh my gosh. You are probably one of the most gentle people I know. Seriously, though. Like I'm like, because I'm a little crazy, you know? So I feel like you calm me down.

SPEAKER_01 15:08

You're hilarious though, when you like crash out 30 times a day. Like, I'm like, oh my goodness, Lord. No, we definitely, and then I can be there can be times where I like with the gym, like make excuses because like I want to be gentle, but it's like you gotta put yourself. So okay, I need to tell this story. You balance me out a lot.

SPEAKER_04 15:29

We balance each other, you know. You're amazing. We definitely balance out and you're you're definitely like literally what the Lord was like, oh, these two together. Like, yes, like you're an answered prayer, you're an amazing friend. And you balance Jasmine. I hope everyone gets a Tantiana. I know God was like, These two are. Yes, no, so we were at the gym and we're gonna do the leg press, guys.

SPEAKER_01 15:53

Guys, this machine is so scary. Like, it's I've never done it before, but yes, go ahead, I know what you're gonna say.

SPEAKER_04 16:02

We were okay, like I try to be a little bit more considerate because I like she was saying, like, I'm a doer, and I will push you. So, like, but sometimes I'm like Tatiana, like you cannot just stay like doing this, like you have to push yourself, right? Do something.

SPEAKER_01 16:17

Like, I struggle with psyching myself out a little too easily. So the balance with Jasmine is like it's not it's not bad. It's like, but she is considerate in the same breath, like she didn't go too heavy with the waiter in the way.

SPEAKER_04 16:28

I try to be because I'm like, girl, like let's go. But then I have to be like very considerate, like, well, like you can't just be, you know, rough and like, okay, like just put three plates on there. But like we were she's like, oh, this one, and then I was like, Yes, this one. We don't do a lot of machines, but I'm trying to like kind of like go out. I try to take it easy a little bit, but then we've been having this.

SPEAKER_01 16:53

But this last time we did it, it was fine. Yeah. We added weights.

SPEAKER_04 16:56

And then she was like, Oh my gosh, I I I don't what did you say? I don't think I can do it.

SPEAKER_01 17:01

It just looks so intimidating, and then the first one she was like, I'm gonna do no weights. And then the second time, you did 45, and you're like, I promise it's not heavy.

SPEAKER_04 17:10

And then she looked at me like, I don't want to do like I said, girl, the first half. You can do it.

SPEAKER_01 17:16

It wasn't too bad. But this last time I added 25. It was fun. I added 20 yeah, I'm so proud of it. And we did pulses, yeah.

SPEAKER_04 17:22

And then I wanna like I wanna keep like telling her to do like just other machines that like might look scary, yeah. Um, which I have been held holding back like this entire time that we've been going to the gym because I didn't want to like scare her too much, but like I think it's time to like kind of venture out to like try other things.

SPEAKER_01 17:41

But yeah, I feel like that's the scariest one, but now that I can do it, it's like I think other machines are yeah, they're not bad. I feel like they're not bad. But just that one coming down once you once I realize like there's a lock and just like hold on to it, like it's it's fine. Yeah, it's fine. But that's like the ski that's like was the scariest machine because I've seen it before, but like once we did it, I was like, oh this one. So it was funny, but the other one it should be fine. We can do that. Yeah, you're good.

SPEAKER_03 18:04

You got this girl.

SPEAKER_01 18:06

But yeah, those are our those are your gifts. Um, what was the first ministry you served in? And what made you want to serve in it?

SPEAKER_04 18:15

First ministry, ooh, okay, this is a good question. Um, I started serving, so when I first walked into uh the church that we go to, I was like, wow, this is a big church.

SPEAKER_01 18:29

I'm scared. It looks really intimidating.

SPEAKER_04 18:32

Yeah, I was like, oh my goodness, like I don't even how am I ever going to get to know people?

SPEAKER_01 18:38

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 18:38

I was like, I'm never gonna meet anybody, I'm never gonna make friends, and um I would like just discourage like discourag right discourage myself. And um, and then I started like obviously like joining um young adults and stuff like that. That was my first little thing, but I was attending, I wasn't like volunteering there. And then I decided like I think I met you and um Kristen and you guys were all doing sleepy kids, and I was like, you know what? Like, I like kids, like I'm gonna just you know, yeah, join this ministry and and see how I can help.

SPEAKER_01 19:12

I remember asking, how do I get in children's ministry? And I was like, Oh, you just background check and you're they're in.

SPEAKER_04 19:17

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 19:18

Just tell them your availability, and yeah.

SPEAKER_04 19:20

So I was like, okay, you know, and so like that was the first um ministry was children's ministry, um, that I started like serving in, and then after that, what did I join? I think we did socials. Was it social media?

SPEAKER_01 19:36

You did socials, and then I expressed to you how I wanted to do social media, and you said you gotta talk to Annalise because they're like they're looking for people, they'll teach you, and yeah, oh my god, and I joined so the social team.

unknown 19:49

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 19:50

So yeah, so yeah, so uh ministry and then socials and then I became a um youth leader, and so then I was in youth, or I'm still aming youth, and then um I also like run their social media page, but um yeah, I think that's all I do, right? Doesn't seem like a lot.

SPEAKER_01 20:12

I mean to us it doesn't seem like a lot, but to other people it's like whoa. Like But I don't think it seems But I was telling I was telling somebody the other day, I was like, you know what, we serve with really cool people and a lot of our really good friends also serve in those ministries, so it doesn't feel like serving.

SPEAKER_04 20:26

It does is and we love it. Like when your heart is in the right place, yeah, and you're doing it because you know that you love to do it and it's not for performance and it's not to please like other people, I think it's like it's good. Like it doesn't feel like work or anything like that. It feels like something you enjoy. Like for me, like okay, I'll take a day off from work or whatever for a mental health day. But like what I love to do is like go and serve or go and volunteer in socials or do whatever, like if anybody needs anything, like offer to help because to me that's not work, it it brings me joy, it makes me happy to go and serve other people. And then, like, the more we read about it, obviously, like we we know that Jesus came to serve, you know, not be served. And so, like, that's good, yeah. And and so it's really nice to just be able to to serve. And one thing that I do want to do is I was telling Tatiana, like, I want to be more in our community, like to be able to serve our community, and like not that our church doesn't do that, they do that a lot, but um, I want to like take upon my own and like be able to like also on my own time like reflect Jesus in that way to people in the community that I grew up in, you know.

SPEAKER_01 21:40

No, I love that.

SPEAKER_04 21:41

So, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 21:42

I'm in the same boat with you. I joined um children's ministry. I don't know why I thought you needed a degree.

SPEAKER_03 21:49

Really?

SPEAKER_01 21:50

I don't know why you needed like some sort of child development degree to serve in there, but the uh pastor at the time who was overseeing the children's ministry, she did the announcements for. Sunday church, Sunday service, and she was like, Hey, like we need volunteers in there, you know. So if you want to come talk to me after, and that same day was the um, like if you're new to the church, like meet the team at luncheon.

SPEAKER_03 22:13

Oh yeah.

SPEAKER_01 22:14

So they had a lot of that out. So I signed up and I was like, I really like holding babies. They're like, Great, you can do nursery, and then um, same thing I did socials eventually. Um and then I started doing women's ministry. So yeah.

SPEAKER_04 22:30

I love that. I love that me and Tatiana are like besties with westies with the with the resties, westies, and whatever. But like we literally serve in like similar but like different ministries. Like even with like children's ministry, we serve like different weekends.

SPEAKER_01 22:46

Yeah, you've been liking um elementary. I love elementary. You said the other day I could teach, or you said I kind of want to teach.

SPEAKER_04 22:53

Yes, I never thought. I was like, wait, I kind of like if they were to ask me, I think I'd teach. Like, I I really like it, like you know, and I'm like, wow, like I it just makes me realize, I think, like now, um, how just babies and like kids, like they're just so cute, and like the way that like when you teach them about Jesus and like how they listen and then like the things that they say, like sometimes we'll be like, Okay, like let's take some time to like soak in a moment with Jesus, and you pray to like him quietly, and then like we'll ask them like what their Jesus is telling them, and then the things that they say is just so amazing, like you know, and I'm like wow, like I think I've been loving it, especially elementary, because I was doing twos and um nursery sometimes, but not a lot. I just really wherever they they need me. But elementary's been like they're like kindergarten to first grade, yeah. They're just so cute too. And I've been like, I'm like, wait, I kind of want to stay in one ministry because then you start to know them and build a relationship with them. Yeah, so that's why I was like, okay, like I don't want to really move unless they need me because like those are my kids, like you know, but yeah, it's it's it's nice, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 24:08

No same with nursery. I feel like you really connect with the parents so you can follow up with them, like, how's everything going? And yeah, I feel like a lot of people, especially parents, just want to be heard. Yeah. So when they're like, oh, it was like we were rushing out the door, so you know, so they just they just want to be heard and seen, but also like the scenes that are being sewn in these kids at such a young age, yeah, and to be a part of it because like this is like the next generation. Um it's so cool to be a part of. And I remember um I think it was like a month or so ago, there was this baby that we put worship music on, but it was like a cartoon. Yeah, and every time like the Jesus cartoon came up, he would point to it. So we were all like, oh my gosh, he knows. And then we told mom, and she was like, Oh my gosh, we play worship at home. So it really is like the influence is really powerful in there, which I love. So it's good. And then the parents can go and have their own.

SPEAKER_04 24:57

Yeah, I love that too. I'll be like, mom's almost here, they're learning about Jesus.

SPEAKER_01 25:01

Yeah, because they need that time together like with their spouse and just to get filled up and stuff, because I think parents a lot. Yeah, hard work. Yeah, as bad as I want to be one, maybe I'm like wait a little bit, maybe.

SPEAKER_03 25:14

Yeah, seriously.

SPEAKER_01 25:15

Yeah. Um what's the next question? Has there been a time where you felt like you had to do more to please God? Or you had to serve more?

SPEAKER_04 25:26

Um, I never thought that that was me. Like I I've always been really good about balancing, like, really good. Like if I have like ever felt tired, worn out, like I'm very good at like communicating that or not like volunteering that you know, when I I feel like I know. Um But like I've never really felt like I had to perform, but I was like meeting with my mentor not too long ago, and we were having like a discussion, then she's like, I feel like you're trying to get to like somewhere that like at which I don't know where you're trying to get because like there's no finish line, you know what I mean? Like, like you're trying, you know, and I'm like, you know what? Like maybe I do have a tad bit of like wanting, like trying to kind of like I don't know, like perform, not perform, but like get somewhere I think God wants me to get, like, you know, and it really just isn't like I feel like I have a tad of that in me where I'm like, oh, maybe I have to do this, this, and this, and then like the Lord will, you know, and so I'm like that conversation kind of helped me realize like, okay, like I know that I love serving and I know I'm doing this, but like, do I have a tad of like maybe like if I do this and enough of this, then I'll get this? So that really made me like think, you know, like maybe I do.

SPEAKER_01 26:59

So yeah, I've had my share of that. I remember in I think it was 2023 when the Lord started talking to me in my dreams about my husband. I don't know why. And I look back and I'm like, I want to give the version of me at this time like a hug and like get off the hamster wheel. Like this is not how this works. Yeah, I don't know why I thought, okay, the Lord's showing me this, and like why is Talent always telling me like this might be what it is, like press into it and stuff. I don't know why I thought pressing into it meant okay, serve more and do more and show the Lord, like I am the type of person like for this thing that you're showing me. So I would serve, I would volunteer. I usually do every other weekend, um, which has been good, but around this time I did it every weekend. Why I did that, I am not sure. And I volunteered for multiple services, so when and then when I started to learn more about like dreams and you know things like that, yeah. It was like, no, the Lord like already wants to give this to you, He's just showing you to prepare you. Yeah. Um so I don't I don't know why I thought that, but I definitely experienced burnout. I think that's like what our next question or one of the next questions talks about. But yeah, what is that next question? It's so exhausting. Like where you feel like, okay, I need to earn God's love, and like you don't, you absolutely do not. If that was the case, like Jesus never would have gotten on the cross. Yeah, like the cross was our I love you. Yeah, not us checking into a service to you know serve the church or anything like that. Um yeah, I think we talk about Bruno a little bit. But um yeah, that's that. How did you how did you know when the Lord was calling you to serve? Because I feel like there's things we volunteer for because like you're like, well I like kids, you know, but then there's like something where it's like I I want you here and I have a purpose for you here. How do you interpret that from the Lord?

SPEAKER_04 29:12

I think so. I want I think I wanted to do kids ministry, get to know like more people, to just help like you know, um be able to help these kids, and I'm like, oh well it's easy, you know, because like and then it's gonna help me finish, um, I mean, understand more too, you know what I mean? Because you know how in kids ministry they just break it down so easily, and what else help me too? And I get to like, you know, help these kids, like, you know, uh in their walk with with Christ at such a young age. So I think that's for me, like, I wanted to do that, you know. Um, I really felt the Lord was like calling me to serve in youth. Um, and so I ended up just like it was really nerve-wracking because for me, like the way that I see it, I was like, you know what? Like, I think I'm gonna do youth. Because I remember we're in young adults and they had made that announcement.

SPEAKER_01 30:08

It's about like Bar Fred or something, right?

SPEAKER_04 30:10

Yes, like they needed volunteers, and I was like, okay. And then I I was like, you know what? Like I felt like he was really calling me to do that because like I grew up Catholic and um I didn't have anybody to talk to and lead me to the Lord. Like, I was like, mm-hmm, like if anything, I was the one that was always wanting to like go to church, yeah, and I never had like a figure that would lead me to the Lord and be like, hey, like I recommend that you take this to the Lord, and you know, like things like that. I never had that, and so um I would think about it and I'm like, wow, like to be able to pour into these kids, like this youth, like the next generation, like they're going through such a crazy time in their life, basically, because like you're growing up, you're becoming, you know, like just you're gonna become young adults, like, and to be able to pour into them, school's hard, you know, like there are bullies, there are um just problems that that kids may have that may lead to like just depression and stuff like that. And so um, you have like a decision to make to go down like the wrong path and the right path, like it is tough, like even being I remember like I was in middle school, like I was totally going down the wrong path, you know. Like I was not going down a good path, and I didn't have anybody to just be like, hey, like get back on on track, you know, and I'm like, Well, I can do this, and I feel like the Lord like really placed that in my heart to be able to pour out to uh to students and say, like, you know, like you didn't have that, you know, but like you can be that for them. Wow, and so like um, yeah, I really just was like, you know what, I'm gonna do it. I'm so scared, I'm nervous. Like, I remember like those thoughts of like going into my head of like, well, I don't think I'm prepared for it. I'm not knowledgeable enough, I'm not full of like all of this wisdom, but it's like you don't really need that, you know what I mean? Like, you don't like need to be perfect and full of all this wisdom to go and like help teach others. Like, of course, I was like, I felt like the Lord was telling me, like, get in your word, like do this, do that, you know. I felt like the Lord was telling me, like, open your Bible, like, you know, and and that's how you're gonna get wisdom, but um, to pour out, but like I felt like I wasn't like he was already like preparing me for it, you know. But even though I was just like really nervous, I felt like he was calling me for it. Um I felt like it was to help stretch me and um mold me into who he wants me to become. Um, and that's like ultimately now it's kind of making sense, like a leader. Like, you know, I feel like the Lord really wants me to be a leader. I don't know what that looks like right now, and I still didn't at that time. I was like, I just feel like the Lord is telling me, like, do youth pour into these kids, like love on them, you know, be there for them, um, bring them back, you know, when they fall off of like off of track, yeah, you know, pray for them and encourage them, you know. But um, and be like an example, don't just be a leader that's like not going to lead, but like an example, like lead by example, yeah, because they watch everything you do.

SPEAKER_01 33:47

And you give such big sister vibes.

SPEAKER_04 33:49

You think so? Yeah, you think so? Just kidding. Um, I have, I mean, I I do um middle school, which is a little bit different. They're a little bit more timid, they're like babies, you know, so it's like um I'm still trying to like could um like just kind of connect with them more um in the aspect of like, you know, because they're still like a little shy, they're quiet, but I can notice like they're getting more comfortable, they're getting so it's like such a good, like it makes me so happy, and then just to be able to like watch these kids like worship God, yeah. Oh my gosh, like that itself, like is just like so amazing, like it makes me emotional because like you just are watching them worship the Lord and like they're so on fire for the Lord, yeah, and it's like so beautiful, you know. But I think it's God molding me and preparing me to be um also more, you know. But I'm totally enjoying youth, and I feel like that is one of the main things that He's called me to do step out of your comfort zone so I can shape you into who I need to be, but yeah, who yeah, I need you to be.

SPEAKER_01 35:05

Yeah, I love that. I know. I felt so unqualified when I felt like the Lord was calling me to women's ministry. I I was already like I wasn't serving in it, but I was attending it, so it's just um one day out of the week, we'll do like a Bible study. They give us like a workbook that goes that's based on like a topic. Um Proverbs or something like that. And I vowed that I would never talk because I was like, I don't want to talk and things like that. So when the Lord was calling me like to be a leader, I was like, uh I don't know, like I I'm not married, I don't have kids. A lot of these women have like grandkids, they've been divorced, they've had a child who's passed away, like they've been through some stuff. So I'm like, Lord, why in the world do you want me like to lead a you know, it's uh like it's I think it's like 10 small tables in there, but it's a it's a woman's ministry. And um I'm like, Lord, literally all that I do, like when a woman is crying or like they're opening up and stuff, I go run and get a tissue because I'm like, I have nothing to say, but like I'll get you a tissue, you know what I'm saying? So I remember telling my small group leader at the time, like, I was like, Christina, I think the Lord is calling me to serve and be a co-leader, and she's like okay. And I remember being so nervous, but as I you know, I I feel like I grew with these women, even though they were all so much older than me. I remember even first starting, like, the Lord was just being like talking about just be a sponge right now. Like they're sharing their times of brokenness and their testimonies and how I got them through it. So when you go through your moments and your trials, you can remember, hey, I've never been through this, but like that's bad. And the Lord got them through that, this is nothing, you know. So just hang on to that, but also I you had said it earlier, um, he doesn't call the qualified, he qualifies the called. Yeah, and I feel like even looking back, like I think it was about two almost two years ago when I started, I was so different. But it helped me develop like a deeper trust in the Lord because I'm like, I don't know what I'm doing, Lord, but I'm just I'm gonna sit and be myself and be nice. And even now looking at it, you're not doing anything crazy, you're just keeping everybody on track and answering questions and stuff. But um I think moments like that, like even how you were saying with youth, like it's helped grow more of a dependency on the Lord.

SPEAKER_03 37:33

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 37:34

So it's really good. Yeah, and just windows like to be able to see God like that. Um yeah. Oh, this one's good. How have you ever served from an empty cup? And how did you recover?

SPEAKER_04 37:50

Yes, um, I've always been really, really good. This actually happened recently, not gonna lie. But um, I have always been really good about like just balance. I'm huge on mental health, like I'm huge on taking care of myself. Um and I've always been like, I've always been like, people need to really like know when to pour and when you know when they have nothing left to pour, you know what I mean? Um, and I always tell my friends, like my friends that are moms, like, I know girl, that you feel guilty for going out or having a me day without the kids, and I I don't understand because I'm not a mom, but I pray that I'm still like this when I am a mom because like you have to take care of yourself because you have a family at home that needs you, you know, and that that that you need to pour into, but you can't pour from an empty cup, and so um I try to always give them like that advice, and I pray that one day, you know, I follow that advice. Um, but more recently I started like serving a lot, and I'm like, wait, okay, I feel like I'm doing too much, and it wasn't even necessarily like serving, but it was like doing, I was taking the evangelism class, I was doing like our connect group, I was serving the other days, and so like that catches up to you, yeah, you know. So um, I was like, you know what? After my evangelism class, I'm gonna like take Tuesdays off. I'll only be at church these days. Like, I really need to take some time to kind of like focus, but also like not just focus on me, but my relationship with the Lord, yeah, and so I think like during that time that it was like just super crazy, I was like serving and stuff like that, but I wasn't like one day out of the week or so or two days out of the week, I wouldn't open my Bible, and I felt the Lord telling me like I am so happy that you're serving and that you're being, you know, um the hands and feet of Jesus and you enjoy it, but I need you to focus back on me and um like put me be in our relationship before everything else because you're not gonna be you're gonna get burnt out. And um, I really feel like that's what he was telling me. So that's why like when we have the leaders advance, like I really wanted to go to this leaders it leaders advance meeting just because I feel like we learn a lot, like you know, and um we get to just be with our other um leaders and stuff, and I was like, Okay, I'm not gonna go. Like, I feel like the Lord is telling me like stay home and like spend these hours with me.

SPEAKER_01 40:44

This last one, uh yeah. I was yeah, I remember I was tired. I didn't go either, I was tired.

SPEAKER_04 40:48

Yeah, and I was like, you know what, like okay, I'm not like I I'm gonna spend that time. So I've been like kind of doing that more. So now I'm really thinking about like okay, when I can and cannot serve, um, and making sure that like if I know I'm gonna be busy in the afternoon, like go and spend that time with the Lord, like in the morning or whatever the case is, you know, but like to have that relationship, and that's why I think like my Saturdays too, I've like cleared out because I want to spend that time with the Lord in the morning too. Like that's like my longest time that I spend with the Lord, like yeah, with my Bible and stuff with Saturdays, and so um, yeah, I just like need to like I almost feel like I got burnt out, was really tired, was just like uh, like you know, and I was like, okay, like the Lord, I feel like really like spoke to me during that time. Um, and he's like, Okay, like stop doing this and spend this time with me. Because like the Lord wants us to serve, like, you know, but like if we're not putting him first and we're not maintaining our relationship with the Lord, then like how are we gonna be pouring into other people's cup when ours is literally empty and it's like we're burning out, we're running on fumes, you know, because we're not relying on the Lord's strength or you know.

SPEAKER_01 42:09

Yeah, I had to take I had to take off um one of the services. I was serving with the kids at both the 9 and the 11 and I felt so burnt out. I even hate saying this, but like even burnt out, I still served because I thought, well, they need someone, but not realizing like the Lord will provide somebody to step in. Like so um aside from like you know how you're saying like the quiet time and prioritizing it. Saturday is my like longest as well, but even on Sunday, I only did two weeks, I only do two weekends, and I completely took off at 9 a.m. So I go to service, so then I can go to be with the kids filled.

SPEAKER_04 42:49

Oh yeah, that's why um I used to actually do 9 a.m. first, like with the kids, and then I'd attend the 11. And then I switched it because I felt the Lord was telling me, like, fill your cup, like we're gonna fill your cup first so you can go out and fill. And that's why I had told, like, okay, hey, like I can do only 11 because the nine I attend because I think it's just so important, like, to just balance that out, like fill your cup, like have the Lord fill your cup, and then you go and serve and and serve others, you know. But um, yeah, and that's why I do also every other weekend. I try to like just balance and pre-plan everything that I do. Um, and that way, you know, because I was meeting with people, like with my friends and stuff, like just to like get to know them more and like talk to them more and and have like that one-on-one like hangout. Um, and I kind of stopped doing that. I just started doing it again, but like I stopped doing that and like asking people to kind of meet for coffee for a little bit because I was like so like burning out, you know. I was at the point where I was like, Okay, you know, so I had to take that break too.

SPEAKER_01 43:53

But I'm back, I'm back and bitted. Yeah, I feel like we kind of answered how to prioritize like that quiet time with God, but also. So serving, I think when I um I feel like we both play that, so it was a complete like a day and night difference. It was, yeah, like there's worship, there's community, and I think there's a pretty good gap between the services. So after we can like chat with our friends and like decompress, and then we go and we can serve, but like we we just have such a different, like like we're not like scatterbrained. Like I feel like when I was serving at the nine, I went into the 11 like exhausted, and the 11 is busier.

SPEAKER_04 44:29

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 44:30

So I was way more tired.

SPEAKER_04 44:32

I went into nine like super tired because I would be like, uh, I just woke up like an hour ago, like you know, and then like I would still kind of be like, uh, you know, but then like at nine, it's just so much better. Like I just attend and then I get to serve, like it's like the best of both worlds, you know? So um it's good, like just prioritizing the Lord. I feel like that is um just something that you should also praise, like Lord, like am I doing too much? Is there something that you want me to stop? Like, yeah, you know, because um we just can get so caught up in serving others, um, even because we enjoy it, you know. Um, so we don't even think about it, but it's like it it's a burnout, and like sometimes you just want to lay in bed, like this like when I was like burning out and like sick and stuff, I was just in bed, like hanging out, like you know, just need that time, like I'll spend the time with the Lord and then just rest of the day just kind of like hang out, and I felt like I needed that, you know?

SPEAKER_01 45:32

I think it's like practical things like just take a nap. Yeah, like just take a nap, you know. It's it's a lot, you know. People parents ask you questions and kids are crying and things like that, but it's it's you know, and I know like we can sound like broken records when we say this, but it is prayer. Asking the Lord, like, do I need to stop something or should I like pull back on something or even take a break? I think also too, what helps is our small group that we're not serving in or that we're not leading. So like Thursday nights, like going and sitting with our community and just being honest, I think that helps too. Like I remember when we first started um our current small group and they were asking for prayer, but as I said, I feel like I'm getting burnt out and I don't know what to do. And that's when I made that switch. Yeah. Like taking off at 9 a.m. and just serving at 11, like that was when I think that's when we were barely meeting too. Yeah. Yeah, that's good. Yeah, amazing. Final question: how has serving the Lord blessed your walk with him? Or I'm sorry, how has serving the church blessed your walk with the Lord?

SPEAKER_04 46:34

Oh, how has okay, um, I don't know. I just feel like it's gotten us so much closer. Like I feel like my relationship with the Lord has deepened in different ways that I never thought it would. Um, so just like, yeah, like it's just been so much happier. Like, ever since just like being more involved and like I really do firmly and like truly believe that the Lord has worked in my life and used our current church to do so. So it's like, wow, like imagine how many other people they're doing that for, like that the Lord is using this house to to bless them. Yeah. And like they did, like he did with me, you know? And so um I think it just deepened our relationship. It's um just allowed me to trust him and and um fully go to him when things are just not going my way or whatever the case is, which is like a learning process for me still, but I just think he's blessed me with so much more happiness and more joy. Um, and it's not I think it's not because like I'm serving, or you know, like I don't think it's like a a reward that he's giving us because we met a certain criteria, but I think it's just like changed the way that I've seen things um and changed the way how I go about things with him when I'm speaking to him and praying to him, and yeah, it's definitely deepened our relationship and made me think of different ways, you know, of different things um and how to view things.

SPEAKER_01 48:13

I have loved like meeting the people that I've met and hearing their stories and how they came to the Lord has been such like a blessing, and it just points back to like you need the church body to walk with the Lord.

SPEAKER_04 48:27

I am so passionate about that.

SPEAKER_01 48:29

I know you yeah, I am too like you need a community, like, and that's why like that's the heart of Jesus and Besties, I feel like is community. It is so it's it's blessed me so so much. I can be a little bit more on the shyer side. So serving has been like that gateway to meet people.

SPEAKER_04 48:49

Yeah, I'm like talk to me about community.

SPEAKER_01 48:52

Yeah, like I feel like like even Emma, like I know like we're in our small group now, but I actually I met Emma in CP Kids when she was she was serving with the babies and she was like, Oh the hairstylist and stuff like that. So, like Annalise and you know, just things like that. Like Kristen, I met her in serving at first, and it was just it's just been such a blessing, yeah.

SPEAKER_04 49:12

So good, yeah. People the Lord will bless you with so many people, and I'm just like in all, like these people are in my life and they like me, like they want to hang out with me. Like, thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. You've answered my prayer, but like I am so passionate about community that I just like talk to me about community because like I will tell you how the Lord changed my life through community, and I'm just like, uh-uh, he's worked and he's spoken through people are around me, yeah, and you know, those people also reflect Jesus, and I'm so thankful. So come at me with the community news. I'm so passionate about it, just because uh, and you know it's so funny, like I never thought, like I never thought that I would be so passionate about it, but it's like no, this is the heart of um Jesus and Bessie's like community that the Lord can work and will work through community. Um, that's why it's so important who you choose to have in your circle. Like, you can either have people that are going to take you out clubbing every weekend, or you can choose and have people that are going to pray life over you when things are rough. Like, I go to Tatiana, I go to my small group, I go to Rachel, I go to you know what I mean? I go to seek my counsel because I know the Lord will speak through them, and I know that I have amazing friends that are prayer warriors and will go literally to war for me, you know what I mean? And like that is Jesus, you know? Like Jesus works through them, speaks to them every single time. And so, yeah. Thanks for coming to my TED Talk.

SPEAKER_01 51:05

Oh my gosh, it's so funny.

SPEAKER_04 51:08

Wow, what a good combo.

SPEAKER_01 51:10

I know, I loved it.

SPEAKER_04 51:11

I loved it too. So if this encourages you to do anything, guys, we really do recommend that you guys just go and serve. Choose something that you love to do. Don't do it because you're forced to, but pray about it. Speak to I was gonna say speak to dad about it. Me and Dad's gonna always say that, but like speak to Jesus about it and say, hey, like, what do you want me to do for to serve and and serve and serve with a lot of love and compassion and happiness and joy, um, and not because you have to, but because you want to, yeah, and um watch the Lord work.

SPEAKER_01 51:51

Yeah, amen.

SPEAKER_04 51:53

So, yeah, we encourage you guys, but we'll be ending in prayer now. Yay! Okay, all right, that was a good combo. I loved it.

SPEAKER_00 52:02

I know it was good.

SPEAKER_04 52:03

Okay, Heavenly Father, thank you so much for this day. Thank you for allowing us to just speak on this podcast, Lord. I just want to pray and lift everybody on the other side of this podcast listening. I just pray and lift them in prayer, Lord, that you just continue to bless them, that you encourage them and speak to them to um go and serve others, Lord, with compassion, with love, with joy, and allow them to also just serve um happily, reflecting you, Jesus, in their community, at their local church, um, getting like filling them up with the courage to go and and maybe try something new in a ministry at their church, Lord, whether that be children's ministry, youth, young adults, um, or just serving in anything that they they enjoy serving in, Lord. And I just pray that you work through them, that you speak through them, that you help them encourage others, show others love, um, and just love their neighbors. Um, I just pray ahead of protection over every listener, their family, their health, Lord. Um, and I just pray that they get to go on and and um sow seeds, Lord, um, that you can grow and bloom in other people. In Jesus' name, amen.

SPEAKER_01 53:26

Amen. Lord Jesus, thank you for coming down from your throne and taking my sins. Thank you for living a perfect life, but um also knowing everything that we feel. Um, God, I believe you are our Lord and Savior. I believe you are the Son of God. Um, I invite you into my heart. Come and be my savior in Jesus' name. Amen.

SPEAKER_04 53:48

Amen. Amen. Wow. Thank you guys so much for listening to us. We really had a good time. I missed this.

SPEAKER_01 53:56

I know, I missed you guys.

SPEAKER_04 53:57

I didn't even realize how much I was like, wow, like I can be here all day. I can talk to you guys all day. Yeah, so um, we just pray. If you guys have any prayer requests, go to our bio in on Instagram and you can leave a prayer request, and we will be so happy to pray for you guys um or DM us, whatever you guys want. But thank you guys so much for listening, and we will continue to pray over you guys. Bye.