The Tahoe Resident Leadership Program. A residency that brings young adults from all over the country to push, sharpen, teach, and allow pulling the curtain back to reveal the behind-the-scenes of ministry. There is much to be said about the program and its incredible staff. I was deeply poured into by the staff at Tahoe Church, even before I had decided to join the residency. Although there are countless aspects of the program worth highlighting, I would like to focus on one of my favorite parts: living life alongside the other residents. The residency program offers the opportunity not only to grow and sharpen one’s ministry skills but also to form deep community and friendships with people who share the same goal: seeking Christ. The friendships, lessons, memories, activities, hard conversations and much more will be something I will be eternally grateful for.
Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another,” and this verse perfectly captures what life in the residency was like. I had the privilege of walking through this season alongside Bernard Huang, Tigabu Larson, and Chris Isom. We shared most of our lives together, and the lessons I learned from these men are priceless. I have found myself scrolling through my camera roll, looking at all the things we were able to do together many times. Some highlights include vulnerability, encouragement, being challenged, learning to share space with others, movie nights, going to the ER at midnight, and many more.
James 5:16 says, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one, that you may be healed.” Vulnerability. You learn to trust the people you do life with and open up about your struggles. You’re met with grace, prayer, encouragement and the Gospel. The Lord does something powerful in our hearts when we open up about our struggles. I have never experienced the love of Christ through another believer like I did when I opened up to Bernard about the darkest parts of my heart. I found freedom from guilt, shame, and the beauty of transparency. I had known Bernard for two years prior to the program. He became my best friend, the brother he is to me today as a result of transparency and vulnerability. Encouragement. Life is hard, and discouragement comes easily. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” Living in community gives you countless opportunities to do just that- to lift one another up in both joy and hardship. Being challenged. I was challenged in multiple ways for all different parts of life by living with these men. Living with one another allows others to see many of your flaws and weaknesses that you may otherwise not see. It gives other access to speak insight and wisdom into your life, even in the hard parts of life. There were times we told each other encouraging words, but times where we told each other some things that were harder to hear. Nonetheless, we challenged and pushed one another back to the front of the cross. I was challenged by both them and seeing some stuff like pride in my heart because of living and sharing the space with them. Beyond the lessons, there were countless moments of joy. I will always remember our movie nights, game nights, cleaning days, going out to eat, heart to heart conversations, serving each other, cooking food together, even a midnight trip to the ER and many more. It was a gift to do life with these people, and it brings me much joy to see where the Lord is now using us. I will forever be eternally grateful to have done life alongside these men.