Fun & Fellowship in NOLA

By: Jesús Marquez
In the Spring 2011, Jesús Marquez, a middler in the M.Div program, received a FTE Ministry Fellowship to support his education and implement a ministry project of his design. In June, Jesus attended the 2011 FTE Leaders in Ministry Conference, Renewing the Church in Service to the Common Good, at Dillard University in New Orleans.  Here, in his own words, is what the experience was like:

The Fund for Theological Education's 2011 Leaders in Ministry Conference was nothing short of an amazing and transformative experience. I am privileged to be one of 20 recipients of the ministry fellowship, which is granted to second year M.Div students from various seminaries across the country, representing a diverse body of denominations and cultural backgrounds. The city of New Orleans became the context for those of us exploring questions of calling and vocation; more specifically, in light of a post-Katrina reality where the word rebuilding has both literal and existential connotations. I was marked by the words and example of a local pastor who spoke about how New Orleans necessitated not only preaching a biblical text but the ability to truly embody its meaning. 

Worship at Chicago Kingdom Generation (CKG), the site where Jesus will be implementing his ministry project.

While the funds from the fellowship will undoubtedly be a blessing that enables me to further explore my calling and giftings in ministry, an added benefit is the connections made during the conference itself, some of which will hopefully result in lifelong friendships. I was particularly inspired by the story of one young man who has a daughter with down syndrome, the goal of his self-designed ministry project will be to educate, challenge and empower local churches to better serve children with special needs and their families. Stories like his encouraged me and affirmed that our ministry projects have the potential to make a real difference; they also increased a hopeful perspective for the upcoming leaders in the Body of Christ and its future. With this in mind, it is my desire to continue developing my current ministry, Chicago Kingdom Generation, a monthly transdenominational and cross-cultural gathering of youth and young adults. Regarding my FTE project I would like to incorporate the spirit of what I have accomplished thus far but with a greater focus on empowering talents in creative musical worship spaces.