What is Cadence Student Ministries?

Cadence Student Ministries, formerly known as Malachi Ministries, seeks to be a disciple-making movement of God that transforms the world by reaching and equipping military students. In 1981, Malachi missionaries began partnering with local military chaplains to minister to middle school and high school students through youth groups, Bible studies, and outreach events. Today Cadence Student Ministry workers are ministering on bases throughout the United States, Germany, and Japan.

Established in 1954, Cadence International, the parent organization of CSM, seeks to exalt Christ in the nations through the lives of transformed military people. Currently, over 250 Cadence missionaries serve the armed forces throughout Asia, Europe, and the United States.

Why Military?

We believe that God has big plans for military students because of their distinctive attributes; their transient lifestyle and relational and cultural adaptability give them huge potential to impact the culture where ever they find themselves. We have the opportunity to disciple and equip them to be used in their next location.

The military sub-culture is incredibly responsive to Jesus today. Due to the intense lifestyles their families endure, they ask huge questions are are open to seeing God in way that is truly unique.

Frequent moves and uncertain deployments leave military students feeling displaced and lonely. They are longing for something meaningful in their lives, yet there are less than 100 youth workers ministering directly to the 300,000 students around the world.

What do we do?

The uncertainty military youth feel and their longing for meaningful friendships and lasting truths immediately place CSM youth leaders in a position to influence these students and their futures. As a youth worker, I will work with a team of trained servants of the gospel to...

>> Provide a safe place for students to build community
>> Provide opportunities for students to know and experience Jesus
>> Disciple students to grow in their faith and to be equipped for their walk with the Lord, empowering them to use their gifts to minister wherever they go
>> Partner with chaplains to provide effective ministry for military students and their families

My Story & Passion

At the age of five I became a Christ follower after praying to receive Jesus as Vacation Bible School. In the years that followed, I continued to attend church and various youth activities; however, my faith remained somewhat shallow. It was in college that I became a disciple of Christ, fully committed to growing in love and knowledge of Him, His word, and His people.

Having grown up in the military community, I've developed a deep appreciation for military personnel and their families. Although my family didn't move as much as the average military family that moves every 2-4 years, many of the friends I made along they way did. Saying goodbye, no matter how often you do it, never becomes easy. As an Air Force brat, the message of Jesus' constant and unending friendship resonated deep in my soul. I look forward to sharing this message with fellow brats, encouraging them to enter into a lasting, personal relationship with Jesus.

Through serving with CSM, I'm able to unite my love for the Lord and a heart to see other enter into a relationship with Him with my desire to serve our military by investing in the lives of its families.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Stars and Stripes: "Pacific schools offering additional counseling for kids with deployed parents"

I came across another article in the Stars and Strips this week. It discusses a new form of support the military is providing for families. As I've shared in the past, studies are revealing that long, multiple wartime deployments are taking their toll on children of service members. Counselors and mental health experts are being contracted by the military to provide support for students in schools. Although many teachers have great hearts for their students, it seems that many just aren't equipped to handle the emotional stress their students are experiencing. It appears that one of the most helpful things they are doing is opening up the door for communication between teachers and students. Counselors are letting teachers know which of their students have a parent serving elsewhere and may be dealing with some added stress as a result.

I think it's great to see the military stepping in to offer support for military families. I consider it a privilege to be able to support these families as well through serving with Malachi. What draws me to serving with Malachi, as opposed to working as a counselor in a school, is I have the freedom to really get to know students on a personal level and point them to Jesus.

While living in Okinawa, I subbed at Kadena Middle School fairly regularly for 3 years. During that same time I also worked with the middle school youth group. As I've reflected on my time in the school and in the youth group, I really loved how relational youth group was. Because school is more formal when it comes to adult-student relationships, I felt more limited in how I could engage with students.

So while I'm happy that schools have identified the need to help students cope with stress generated by their parents military service, I do feel it's equally important for students to plug into youth group and build relationships with adults who know Jesus. Ultimately, it's Jesus who can heal these kids and relieve their stress. I pray these students will come to know Christ and experience Peace like only Jesus can give.

Click here to read the article.
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