07/30/06

Gailya M Watson
gmwatson10@yahoo.com

PERSONAL

Born in Los Angeles California, raised in Chicago, Illinois, with roots in Natchez Mississippi. A Pastors wife, married for 15 years, and mother of 3 boys. Skilled in computers and Web design and Web hosting.

 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION EXPERIENCE
 

• Assistant Church Secretary
• Facilitator & Instructor of Church's Computer Technology Lab.
• Local Youth Director, Junior & Youth Church Director, Youth Choir Director, & Youth Counselor.
• Baptist General State Convention Officer, youth instructor and music director.
• Director of the Children's Division of Baptist General State Congress of Christian Education, instructor, and music director.
• Instructor for Baptist General Sunday School Workshop
• Instructor for Baptist General Area Day Sessions
• Instructor in the National Baptist Convention Congress of Christian Education.

 MY TESTIMONY

  Many of us have been brought up in the knowledge of what use to be. "If it worked for me, my mama, and her mama before, it will work for you". That does not work to reach this generation of youth. What we had to deal with as youth does not compare to what they go through from day to day.  We did not grow up in the drug infested, gang ridden, over burdened, under loved, under nourished, crime infested, surrogate parent, impoverish, sexually explicit war zones that our children live in. And furthermore, if we sit around and wait for them to come to us, so that we can minister to them, our waiting is in vain.  Satan meets them where they live. He makes house calls. We as Christians as suppose to be the salt of the earth and a shining light in this world. But all that we do is sit in our comfort zones and call out, "Is there anyone there that wants to know Christ, make an appointment, and I'll get back to you". Where is the Evangelism, the outreach? When do we begin to reach out, rather than pointing fingers?  My personal ministry is working with youth, and music.

We get so wrapped up in trying to teach our youth about their history, and that we forget, they are also a part of our heritage, our history.  Let's not turn up our noses and turn a deaf ear when the drums and bass kick in. Let's not pack up our belongings and dismiss ourselves from service when the song breaks down and rap starts up. Don't tune out when the five part counter point, which is driven by young people who clap rock, and move to music, they can relate to. Remember that it is still the same message. They learn and listen to hymns, spirituals, traditional and such.  At what point have we stopped learning, let's reach across the break and reach those in need of Christ.

  What can I do? I am glad you asked. First of all stand up for the right to reach our youth where they live. Take the time to understand their way of thinking. Find out what our youth are made of. Learn about their music.   Share more of your time, talent and testimonies. Learn and become more a part of their lives.

 Reach out! Reach in! Draw from! Pray for! Teach to! Learn from! Listen to! This is what I can do. Fight against the lack of change. Fight against complacency. Make a difference in someone's life. Be a soldier, a warrior. Stand.