My Move Out Story: Who Are My People?

Jocelyn Jarvis

Jocelyn Jarvis

Kaleo Liason at Rogers Elementary ESL & Homework Support

Three years ago, my husband and I re-watched some services in which guest speaker, Jamie Winship, asked the congregation to pray and ask the Lord, “Who are my people?” From our couch, my husband and I fully engaged in this prayer. To my surprise, I immediately received the response, “Latinos.” I was doubtful, but childhood memories began to surface: I had always loved and been interested in Latino people and culture, and the Spanish language. Suddenly, and without logical explanation, it all clicked! God had revealed something that had been there my whole life but hadn’t understood: Latinos are my people.

Armed with this exhilarating new purpose and not willing to wait for the excitement to fade, I quickly contacted Kensington and asked to get involved in the K-Rock (now Kaleo) kids’ performing arts program. I had recently heard about the program being done in Pontiac schools through Kensington’s School Partners initiative and, knowing that Pontiac hosts a significant Latino population, figured that would be a good place to start. I was invited to help with the program with Kensington Birmingham’s school partner, ITA, and was there for two years. First volunteering wherever I was needed and then acting as a liaison between the Kaleo program and the parents of the students.

It was during my second year that the Lord miraculously connected me with a dear friend and ministry partner, Angelica Astudillo. At the end of my second year, I learned that Kensington’s Orion campus was going to launch a Kaleo School Partnership program with Pontiac’s Will Rogers Elementary. Orion is my family’s home campus and I was confident that this was where the Lord was leading me. In the fall of 2017, Orion kicked off a Kaleo partnership with Rogers Elementary.

As the session progressed, we found that there were several Spanish-speaking mothers staying and waiting at the church rather than dropping off children. My friend Angelica and I knew this was an opportunity to befriend these women– but it was a slow process to build trust. We continually asked the Lord how to proceed, what He wanted us to know, etc.

There were times we had to choose to be patient with superficial conversation when we could see there was deeper pain below the surface. It was imperative that we not break the trust they were beginning to give us by trying to dig too deep too fast. Over the course of the year, we learned of two great needs in our small Latino Kaleo community:

1. Their children need help with their studies. They’re struggling in school and their parents are unable to help.

2. The moms desperately want to learn English.

Angelica and I sought the Lord on how we could best serve these precious families and decided to begin a homework help and tutoring program for the students, and an English as a Second Language (ESL) class for the adults. Now, our students and their parents know they can depend on us to help with homework and to tutor them where they need it. Our mom-friends are learning English and beginning to feel empowered and encouraged.

We give glory to God for the depth of relationship He has allowed us to build with these amazing families. Our moms trust us now, we’re truly friends. We have had the honor of praying with them for their needs. One of them has allowed us into a situation in her life that could be scary and intimidating, trusting us to walk alongside her through it.

Why did I decide to move out and impact this community? One word: obedience. I came to a place in my life where I had to decide if it was worth living my life to serve Christ. When I said “yes” to Jesus I decided to say “yes” to everything He asked of me. I’m so glad I did. This life of obedience to Christ, of serving others at the cost of my comfort, is rich and rewarding and I’m living with no regrets.

***

Interested in joining Jocelyn as she moves out to serve Kaleo families? Find your own fit in the Kaleo program or elsewhere in our partner schools by emailing schoolpartners@kensingtonchurch.org, or see a variety of move out opportunities by checking our new Move Out Network coming soon!

Come be inspired at our upcoming Move Out Gathering with dynamic speakers and compelling break-out sessions that will equip you to move out right where you are! kensingtonchurch.org/moveout

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Congregational Vote - Latest News!

Dear Kensington,

Yesterday was the Special Meeting vote to affirm our Senior Pastor candidate, which took place at all campuses during all services. If you were there or joined us online, thank you for taking part to vote on our candidate, Brian Mowrey, as our new Senior Pastor. Because of such a strong, positive turnout, members and the congregation have confirmed Brian as our new Senior Pastor with nearly 99% voting yes. Brian has said yes, and the Mowreys are coming to be part of the Kensington family! 

We all know this has been a long journey, requiring much patience and trust. Your continued commitment to Kensington and your willingness to lean into this process with us is what helped get us here today. With such a strong positive vote for Brian’s leadership, there is no doubt that we are ready to be led into what God has for us in the years ahead.

The next few months will be a time of transition and we ask that you continue to pray for Brian, Becca and the girls as their adventure is just beginning with us; also pray as they are concluding a chapter of their life with Walnut Hill. While this transition over the next few months will mean that Brian is back and forth between Kensington and Connecticut, Brian will be actively engaged with all that is happening at Kensington and will be relocated and in place with us by the end of summer.

Brian wanted to share with all of you a quick word of thanks for your trust in his leadership of Kensington. Watch here

Thank you, God, for your provision. It’s just beginning. Immeasurably More!!

Grace and Peace,

Craig A. Mayes
Lead Pastor & Elder
Kensington Church

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Troy

5pm | 12/23
Birth–PreK programming

7pm | 12/23
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11am | 12/24

Birth–PreK programming

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1pm | 12/24
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Birth–PreK programming

3pm| 12/24
Birth–PreK programming

Birmingham

11am | 12/24
Birth-PreK programming


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On Sunday evening, Dec 5, parents of high school and middle school students are invited to the second half of our Edge gathering at Genesis Church, 309 N Main St, Royal Oak, MI 48067, at 6:15pm. We will have a breakout to equip parents in caring for themselves and processing pain with their children in times of tragedy.

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“The aftermath of the Oxford shooting tragedy will undoubtedly result in traumatic symptoms and experiences across our communities for quite some time. Healing the brain through evidence-based therapies is absolutely possible with clinical guidance. There is a valuable village of Trauma Therapists with collective resources standing by for Oxford, for both direct and secondary survivors to engage in therapy. Until then, we honorably hold a sacred space, as students, families, staff and school partners continue to mourn.” -Laura Azoni, LMSW, Founder of Sanctuary Services

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We believe that unity at this time is more important than ever. Several churches in the area are partnering together to offer space for students to begin the process of healing.

We will have several grief and trauma specialists on site this Sunday evening at our Orion Campus (4640 S Lapeer Rd Lake Orion, MI 48359) from 5-6:30pm and will have a night of prayer, worship and an opportunity for students to process with each other.

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This Sunday at 3:30 pm as a community we want to gather, pray and mourn together. We are all looking for answers and wondering why tragedy happens but we can find hope and peace in Jesus. 

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Join us Sunday night, December 5th for a Community Prayer Vigil at Kensington Church at 6:00 pm. Invite friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers to come together for a time of hope and prayer. 

Following the Vigil, at 7:00 pm, there will be breakouts for students and for parents to process and be equipped in caring for themselves and those around in times of tragedy.

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The Marriage Course includes seven sessions, designed to help couples invest in their relationship and build a strong marriage. Some couples do the course to intentionally invest in their relationship, others are looking to address more specific challenges. Either way, the course offers essential tools and practical ideas to help you build a relationship that lasts a lifetime. The Marriage Course is based on Christian principles but designed for all couples with or without a church background.

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Please email discipleship@kensingtonchurch.org with any questions.

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What is my purpose? What value does the Bible have in my life? How do I pray? How can I grow in confidence to share my faith? These are the big questions that are at the heart of what it means to have a relationship with God. Alpha is a space to explore life’s big questions, to say what you think and to hear other people’s points of view. Over ten-weeks you will explore and discover while listening to weekly topics, participating in table discussion, and developing community. Alpha courses meeting in-person gather around a meal.

You don’t have to come for the whole series—just check it out for the first session and see what you think. No pressure.

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