Leadership Connexion Winter 2022

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YOUTH DIRECTOR | Joe Cali | 717.649.6788 | joe@penndel.org Christmas, The Greatest Time To... Christmas has become one of my all-time favorite holidays. It brings me back to fun memories as a child, setting up the Christmas tree, placing the outdoor lights, setting up the nativity scene, hot chocolate and lots of cookies. Its all so much fun. It makes me want to create and develop fun memories with my kids. In the Cali house, Christmas movies can play all year round. Christmas music makes a grand entrance on my birthday in September, and we love it! We know everyone doesn’t have the same passion for Christmas like we do. However, when we have the Christmas decorations up and the Christmas music playing, we are making a statement to those around us, ‘its time for Christmas’. We hope others can enjoy the season as well. I’m reminded by a verse in John, Chapter 1. John the Baptist sees Jesus in the distance on his way toward him. John makes this bold statement “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” He wanted everyone around him to know who this man was. He was hoping others would be excited and join him in believing who Jesus is. Imagine if the people around you were given an opportunity to hear about Jesus? Christmas tends to be one of the greatest moments for us as Christians to make a BOLD statement to others who we believe in and why. It’s a wonderful time to be reminded (by the facts) that Jesus did not have to come down from heaven. Jesus, the Son of God, could have kept to his divinity and remained in Heaven. However, he chose to be obedient to God the Father and still have His divine nature, yet come to earth and live as a human. Jesus chose to lay down the comforts of Heaven for the sake of giving all mankind access to the gates of Heaven. He knew the cross was in his future. He was willing in hopes that no one will perish and go to Hell. The sad reality is, people will die and go to Hell, but if people place their faith in Jesus they will die and go to Heaven. Someone just needs to tell them about Jesus and give them the opportunity to make their own personal decision. Maybe it can be your BOLD statement that you make. In PennDel Youth one of our ministries is Youth Alive. We challenge students to be BOLD in their faith and become campus missionaries, students who share Jesus in their schools and beyond. This past school year we had a few campus missionaries in Western PA that decided to share Jesus in their schools. In two different schools these campus missionaries had the idea to set up a table of Bibles and Youth Alive resources in their lunch room. They were willing to lay down the comforts of just eating lunch, as usual, to stand next to a table ready to give Bibles away and have conversations with students about God, pointing them to Jesus. They were willing to take any criticism in hopes that students would learn about Jesus. When I asked one of them why they did it, they said, “I’m sick and tired of waiting. These students need to hear about Jesus.” This Christmas season, I challenge you to think of creative ways to share Jesus BOLDLY in your community, in your workplace and in your schools. Would you consider brainstorming with your students to see how you can share Jesus in your local schools and community during this Christmas season? Maybe you can provide Bibles to hand out, give out cookies to every student before Christmas break, create a gift basket for some students or teachers, etc. No matter how you choose to share Jesus, be intentional and prepared to give reason why you do what you do. Jesus’ death on that cross was the overpayment of your sins and mine. The blood he shed on that cross covers your coworkers, colleagues, students and neighbors sins as well. Who will share this great news with them? The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" John 1:29 Check out some of the resources to help keep you and your students sharing Jesus in your community. 14
MEET OUR NEW NETWORK YOUTH DIRECTOR Joe Cali grew up in a big, loving family in Long Island, NY. In eleventh grade, God put a desire in his heart to help students make the best decision ever - to follow Jesus. He answered this call to missions and has never looked back. He graduated from the University of Valley Forge (formerly VFCC) in 2004, where he majored in Pastoral Ministries. Joe and his wife, Beckie, went on to lead thriving youth ministries in Virginia Beach, VA and in New Holland, PA. In 2019, they became the Youth Alive Missionaries for Pennsylvania and Delaware. Their heartbeat was to help students and leaders stay focused on the Mission: to help others discover Jesus. In Fall of <strong>2022</strong>, Joe answered the call to serve the PennDel Ministry Network in the role of Youth Director. Joe and Beckie reside in Central PA with their fi ve amazing kids. With God’s help, they are raising them to be strong men and women of God. Life with the Lord is the best life to live! email: joe@penndel.org instagram: @joecali42
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Leadership Connexion Winter 2022

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