Rev. Jason Schwartzman
For the past 17 years, I have been proud to lead a team to McCurdy Ministries Community Center in New Mexico. What started out as a one-off trip for a youth group in York has become one of my favorite weeks of the year.
Last year, in collaboration with the Young People’s Ministry Council (YPMC) we brought 22 people (11 adults and 11 youth/young adults) from all over the Susquehanna Conference. The week quickly became one of their favorite weeks too.
But what is it? What is so magical about McCurdy? Of course, we can talk about the breathtaking scenery that exists in Northern New Mexico. We can talk about the architecture of Santa Fe and the relentless charm of Taos. But that’s not what makes it our favorite week. It’s not our favorite week because of the projects we get to do either. Can anyone really say that they love to pull weeds in the unforgiving New Mexico sun at the start of the hottest month of the year? I doubt it.
What makes it our favorite week is not what we do, it’s who we serve. McCurdy week is our favorite week because of the relentless mission that this place carries. We were fortunate enough to spend some time with Tiffany, the executive director of McCurdy Ministries. Her vision and passion for McCurdy is contagious! She sees possibilities and she articulates an irresistible vision for the valley. We couldn’t wait to be a tiny part of that incredible plan! We had a chance to spend some time with Manny on this trip. His talent is over-the-top. This man can do anything at all! But his talent is dwarfed by the size of his heart. We couldn’t wait to help Manny do everything he needed to do to make the campus look great. Why? Because we were all-in. And why were we all-in? Because of the passion that exists for this place, from those who work there.
I have no doubt that the people who work at McCurdy are talented enough to make a lot more money somewhere else. They could be construction supervisors, or they could be the CEO of a fancy company. Instead, they give their lives to the mission…they pour out their professional lives to try to give others a fair shot. The way they live out their faith is more than inspiring. It is a practical example of John Wesley’s call to “Do good…in all the ways you can.” Their passion has ignited hearts for this place. It has taught us the valuable lesson: It’s not what you do, it’s who you serve. I am so proud to lead a team to McCurdy on behalf of Young People’s Ministry Council and in cooperation with Volunteers in Mission. They have the vision, we have the hands.
I am so passionate about McCurdy that I would love to chat with anyone about leading a trip there! You can reach me by email at jschwartzman@susumc.org. I love this place! It has impacted my faith, my call, and my story. In God’s economy, we give and we give and we give and in the end we all have more. I can’t tell you how many times I have seen that truth in Espanola, New Mexico.
