leadership

partnership
Discipleship: Raising Up New Leaders
Recent discussions among staff and volunteers centered around discipleship. We
asked ourselves some questions:
WHY?
Why should discipling young people be a part of our ministry? Four answers were
presented: 1) We want to see lives changed. 2) It produces desirable results. 3) Jesus
asks us to disciple others. 4) Jesus modeled discipleship.
WHO?
We concluded that anyone could be discipled. It is best if the group is smallone, two,
or three individuals.

Eileen Gewargis leads a girls Bible study.

WHAT?
What does discipleship look like? We discussed what one might term formal discipleship versus informal discipleship. Is a small circle
around an open Bible the only form of discipleship? Or can a hike up a mountain, ice cream at McDonalds, or washing a car also be
moments of discipleship? Alvin Reid has wisely said, The best learning comes not from simply listening to a mentor but from seeing
truth lived out in the mentors life. In this way, informal mentoring offers several advantages.1
Aim Right intern Aleisha Boley leads two teen discipleship groups. She has a Bible
study with the girls three weeks out of the month. She says: Every fourth week, I take
them somewhere, and we have a fun day. Last time I took them shopping to the mall,
and then we went to Peter Piper. I know it's not a Bible study, but sometimes doing
things like that create good conversations about why I do some of the things I do, about
why we pray for our food and what s they should do about the boys they like. Aleisha
is using a formal plus informal approach.

In 2005, Darius Rivera and Christian Valenzuela were

teens who regularly attended Aim Right programs.
Today, they enjoy serving in various ways, from helping with Kids Club to being camp counselors.

END RESULT
What do we hope to see as a result of discipleship? How do we know that discipleship
has worked? Perhaps Paul in 2 Tim. 2:2 expresses it best: and what you have heard
from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to
teach others also. We see that discipleship has occurred when those who heard the
Word follow Christ and share His Word with othersmaking them into disciples, too.

A CHALLENGE
Dr. Larry Acosta of the Urban Youth Workers Institute, through whom Aim Right staff and volunteers have received valuable training
and resources, has a goal to see 75,000 youth involved in discipleship programs. His organization is promoting a Discipleship Toolkit, a
video curriculum that is free to anyone who commits to discipling urban youth for one year. According to Dr. Acosta, over half of the
worlds population live in cities. In those urban areas, over 60 percent of residents are 18 years or younger. He says, You tell me a
more significant thing that you can do with your one and only life than to make urban disciples. 2 Aim Right currently has around
20 teens using the Discipleship Toolkit as part of the 75,000 youth that UYWI hopes to reach.
PARTNERSHIP
Aim Right invites you to partner with us in raising up local leaders through discipleship. If you would like to be involved in making urban
disciples, contact Caleb Reed at caleb.aimright@gmail.com.
Sources:

1. Reid, A. (2016). The Advantages of Informal Mentoring. http://www.ligonier.org/

2. Acosta, L. (2016). http://thediscipleshiptoolkit.com/

Farewell
to the
Millers

The Beginning
In 2004, 20-year-old Adam A.J. Miller
came to Phoenix to serve as a ministry
intern with Aim Right. His one year
turned into one year plus a few months
when he discovered he really enjoyed
serving alongside intern Jewel Swantz,
who arrived in 2005. A.J. and Jewel
completed their internships, returned to
their home communities (Ohio and Iowa), dated long distance, and married
in 2007. They settled in Ohio, with A.J.
working as a manager at a trucking
company and Jewel working as a dental
assistant. Life was good, comfortable,
and secure.
Aim Right and Phoenix were never far
from their minds, though. The Millers
came back to visit. They began to have
conversations with Darrell about possibly serving again, as Aim Rights first
married interns. They prayed. God gave
a green light. In 2010, the Millers began
raising support to fund a 1-year term
and moved to Arizona in 2011.
The Middle
The initial work was slow. The goal was
to establish a ministry presence in the
Sunnyslope area of Phoenix, but lacking a physical location, the Millers needed to partner with established organizations. God opened the door for A.J.
and Jewel to become involved with Paradise Valley Mennonite Churchs childrens ministry. Soon the Millers were
visiting 40-some children on a weekly
basis, coordinating classes, and building relationships in the Sunnyslope
neighborhood. The Millers also participated in Community Night at Prodigals Home. They assisted with and
then began to chair a Good News Club
at a Sunnyslope elementary school.

Finally, in 2014, an opportunity came

for Aim Right to purchase a facility in
Sunnyslopethe Prodigals Home location where A.J. and Jewel had already
been volunteering. God provided a
physical location, and Aim Right North
was birthed.
Programs to reach youth developed
and expanded. A teen Bible study was
begun on Monday nights. A.J. and Jewel, along with other volunteers, led
small discipleship groups called Boys
and Girls clubs on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings. Community Night for all ages took place each
Friday, with 40 to 60 kids attending.
The Ending...or is it?
In 2015, A.J. was approached by some
Ohio businessmen and asked to consider opening and managing a thrift
store in Ohio. Proceeds from the store
would fund ministries, one of which
would be Aim Right. After much prayer
about this unique opportunity, A.J. and
Jewel again sensed a green light. God
was saying, Go.
At the end of May, the Millers will be
headed East. Some things have
changed. Theyll be taking along two
childrenMax and Lucywho were
born in Phoenix. That means theres
quite a bit more to pack this time. The
moving truck will be towing a mini-van
instead of a car.
What hasnt changed, though? Their
heart for Aim Right and the at-risk youth
of Phoenix. God has gifted the Millers in
unique ways and prepared them for this
next adventure. While this wont be an
easy good-bye, it is one that God is
leading them to take. They are choosing to listen and follow. Meanwhile, we
will be sure to remind them that Phoenix is just a 3 to 4 hour flight away!
Hey, Holmes County folks!
Donate items to & shop at:
Restoration Thrift
351 Hostetler Road in Orrville
Projected open date: Aug. 1

Thank You!
Teen Camp
Proceeds from our Spaghetti Dinner
fundraiser totaled around $1,500.
That brings the amount still needed to
only $3,900. Praise God!

Generous donors have pledged

$4,000 as an incentive to encourage
others to also give generously and
match that amount this summer.
Please consider giving to this campaign to help us reach our goal by
June 15.

New North Director

Another Van
We are grateful to a local church who
donated their 2007 van to Aim Right.
This van will be shared between our
two campuses.

Enric Mast will assume

the role of director at Aim
Right North. He has been
involved with Aim Right
North since its inception
and has mentored several Sunnyslope teens.
Enric and his family attend Paradise Valley
Mennonite Church.
L to R: Keisha, Sabrina, Tory, Enric, Dominic

Needed
We anticipate new interns arriving
this fall and need a
vehicle for their use.

Benefit Auction
Proceeds raised were over $18,000.
A huge thank you to all the volunteers, donors, and bidders who made
the event a success!

Teen Camp
Thank you for sponsoring me. I love
you for that. If you didn't sponsor me,
I would have lost God. You helped me
find my God so be proud because you
helped someone. - former camper

Sponsor a teen for:

$200

Aim Right can

provide a tax
receipt for the
vehicle.

Contact Us
Mailing Address:
1013 North 13th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85006

Phone: (602) 462-1987

E-mail: info@aimright.org

Follow Us
Website: aimright.org
Blog: aimright.blogspot.com

Facebook: Aim Right Ministries

Our Mission:

Personnel

To be actively engaged within our community, to build

significant relationships, and
provide positive alternatives
for at-risk youth through after-school and communityfocused programs.

Advisory Board: Arlen Godshall, Mike Kienzlen, Chris King, Darrell

Bacher, James Miller
Executive Director: Caleb Reed
North Director: Adam Miller (outgoing); Enric Mast (incoming)
Teen Ministry Director: Rouvan Roman
Ministry Intern: Aleisha Boley
Office Administrator: Amy Unrau

Through
Christ-centered
discipleship, we influentially
change the trajectory of
young lives and strategically
train the future leaders of
our community.

Ministry Locations
Downtown: 1013 N. 13th Street, Phoenix
North: 1613 W. Mountain View Rd, Phoenix

NEEDED: MINISTRY INTERNS!

Aim Right has current openings for both male and female interns.
Visit our website for an application. The cost for one year is $8,500.
Desired applicants should be:

At least 18 years old

Willing to serve for one year
Committed Christians who want to grow, learn, and serve

LEARN MORE ABOUT DISCIPLING URBAN YOUTH!

Visit thediscipleshiptoolkit.com to explore their resources.

PRAY FOR:
Youth Haven Ranch elementary campers (June 6-10, June 13-17, and June 20-24)
Downtown Vacation Bible School (June 27-July 1)
Volunteers still needed!
Colorado Teen Camp (July 17-22)
Counselors still needed!