Donna Cannella and I work tirelessly to ensure that each new staff person who joins Ágape is cared for especially during his or her first two years. We do this through our 2-year New Staff Training program which provides time and space weekly to study key spiritual principles, practice contemprary methods of ministry and receive feedback from a trainer.
In late September, Donna and I drove down to Valencia together to host the latest New Staff Training Orientation.
María Casanova (second from the right) was an unlikely candidate who came to know God during an international academic exchange in high school. She graduated from university and worked as a lawyer. Years later, she sensed a call to serve God and investigated several options, including becoming a nun, but had not yet discovered the specific path that the Lord had for her. She changed careers and became an English teacher. Recently, God brought her into contact with Ágape through Alejandro, another young Catholic on staff with Ágape.
After years of seeking to know God more, María has taken great steps of faith to leave her job, to raise her support and to serve on the administrative operations team of Ágape called Por Ágape. María Juan, the director of the team (pictured above in the center), will be María Casanova's trainer.
Lucía Leal also has taken a leap of faith to work with Ágape. She was attracted to Ágape, specifically to Global Aid Network (GAiN). Lucía grew up in a spiritually charismatic church where she learned about Jesus. As an adult, she is putting that love into practice through tangible service and meeting practical needs to those in emergency / crisis situations. Donna Cannella (pictured above left) will be Lucía's trainer.
During the orientation we talked about how to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. I used
the chocolate milk analogy to explain that the Holy Spirit lives in us AND also transforms us.
A third key topic we look at is embedded deep in Ágape's DNA:
taking the initiative to talk with people and listen to their views of gospel. Just before lunch on day 2, we paired up and went to the university campus in Valencia to talk with students about spiritual topics and ask them who they think Jesus is. It was encouraging to discover that young people are still thinking about spiritual things, even searching for God.
The New Staff Training program helps to provide that solid foundation for all of our staff to walk with God for a lifetime and a space for this growth to take place.
Please pray for María and Lucía that they grow and flourish in their relationships and connections with God and with others.
Pray for wisdom, discerment, love and perseverance for María Juan and Donna as they accompany María Casanova and Lucía during this initial chapter of their work with Ágape.
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