Amor is hosting a weekly discussion about intergenerational politics and relations – specifically regarding Millennials (Millennial (Gen Y) Generation – Birth years: 1981-2000). Check back with us every Tuesday for more.

We have more generations alive at one time than any other point in history.  It’s a crossroads that has never been encountered before thanks to better health, better working conditions and better living conditions in the first world.  The seven generations are:

• Silent Generation – Birth years: 1901-1924 (Hero/Civic Generation)
• Greatest Generation – Birth years: 1925-1941 (Artist/Adaptive Generation)
• Baby Boomers – Birth years: 1942-1957 (Prophet/Idealist Generation)
• Generation Jones – Birth years: 1958-1963 (Prophet/Idealist Generation) A subset of the Baby Boomers
• Generation X – Birth years: 1964-1980 (Nomad/Reactive Generation)
• Millennial (Gen Y) Generation – Birth years: 1981-2000 (Hero/Civic Generation)
• New Silent Generation – Birth years: 2001-Present (Artist/Adaptive)

You may be curious why we refer to the generation born 1981-2000 as Millennials rather than Generation Y. This is the term by which the majority of this generation identifies with. They graduated from high school or were born around the millennial and identify closely with what that means. Also, the term Gen Y was often associated with “Gen Why?” which referenced their tendency to question “why”.  This was perceived as questioning authority rather than what it was: an attempt to gather information.

In their book, “Generations:  The History of America’s Future, 1584 to 2069” authors William Strauss and Neil Howe looked at the cyclical nature of generations. They identified four archetypes of generations: Prophet/Idealist, Nomad/Reactive, Hero/Civic, and Artist/Adaptive which repeat throughout the history of America.

Without going into an explanation that you can better get from reading the Strauss and Howe book (and I recommend it highly), it’s enough to recognize that we have seven generations active in our world today with at least two generations sharing similar views on the world and their role in it. As you can see, the Millennial generation is the first generation to repeat the type: Hero/Civic followed by the yet to be named new silent generation who will follow the Artist/Adaptive type. Get ready for change and just a little bit of values conflict.

Now that the first four generations listed are either in retirement or entering retirement in the near future, we will be filling the gaps with those from Gen X and the Millennials. With that in mind, we will be discussing understanding and developing the Millennials for leadership in future posts and the years to come.

Right now we have some interesting times to consider. The generational mix presents both a unique opportunity and a challenge – how do we create leaders when leaders are still leading? Have you intentionally tried to have every generation represented in your leadership structure? Do you see how the generations can collide over values?

Her sweet Tennessee accent sliced through the falling snow flurries and background sounds of hustling cars eager to get home on a cold Columbus evening.  Our group stood on the side of the road, shivering together, and handing warmly packed meals and blankets to our friends.  Her name was Vicky.  She was originally from Nashville and this winter was my first time meeting her.

Vicky explained that she and her husband had fallen on rough times.  The loss of jobs and other unfortunate happenings had left them on the streets as winter drew closer each day.  The search to secure new jobs became an even bigger challenge with limited transportation and their newly homeless status.  After weeks living on the streets, her husband has now secured a part-time job; providing just enough funds to afford them a nightly motel and temporary space to call home.  100% of their income was going toward this immediate shelter need, hence Vicky huddling on the streets to receive a meal.

As the steam from each cold breath hovered between us, Vicky giggled with such innocence as she shared with me, “My husband and I feel so lucky because we know there are a lot more people out here in worse situations than us.  We’re very fortunate.”  Her words were immersed in gratitude.

That night, as I pulled my cozy comforter overtop of me in my warm bed, Vicky’s words had me listing all of the things I have to be thankful for right now in life.  Thanksgiving had arrived a week early.  I wondered, what would it mean for the other 364 days of the year if we could begin each day with that same Thanksgiving gratitude?  I look forward to trying.

Thank you, Vicky.

“I have come so you may have life, and have it abundantly.” – John: 10:10

Jason Barger is an 11-time Amor Mission Trip leader who has connected over 1700 people to build 120 houses in Mexico. As the former Director of Camp Akita in Ohio, he designed and implemented programs for over 1900 kids a summer centered on faith, love, service and leadership. Jason’s experience with servant-leadership led him to the creation of First Community Church’s Streets Mission Project to serve the homeless of Columbus, Ohio as well as mission trips to the Casa Hogar Sion Orphanage in Tijuana and the Village Mountain Mission project in the Dominican Republic. Jason is the author of the book Step Back from the Baggage Claim: Change the World, Start at the Airport and spends most of his time today serving, writing, speaking and consulting for organizations looking to bring about positive change. Jason, his wonderful wife, Amy, and their two sons, Will and Benton, currently live in Columbus, Ohio. To connect with Jason, please visit www.stepbackfromthebaggageclaim.com

Here’s a video from a group who built in our Puerto Peñasco location.

I had the humble experience today of visiting the San Carlos Apache Reservation, just a two hour drive east of Phoenix, Arizona with the Executive Director of the Arizona Reservation Ministries (ARM) , Dale Lawrence and his wife, Diana, who have directed this ministry for eight years. The Lawrence’s recently called Gayla and asked if Amor would consider partnering with them to provide desperately needed housing for the Apache Indians.

San Carlos Apache Reservation, Arizona

The San Carlos Apache Nation is the third largest reservation in the state of Arizona and with the shocking unemployment rate of more than 75%. This reservation, located in central Arizona, of nearly 3,000 square miles, encompassing 1.8 million acres, boasts a population of some 16,000 (over half of which are under 18) and is the 10th largest American Indian reservation in land area.

The San Carlos Reservation is one of the poorest Native American communities in the United States, with the median annual household income being approximately $14,000. About 77% of the people live under the poverty line. San Carlos was, for a time, even the home to the legendary Apache chief Geronimo.

According to ARM, “The climate in San Carlos from October to April is warm enough to do just about anything.” During the summer months, they suggest working in the mornings, rest in the afternoons, and then head back out to the reservation for ministry opportunities. At 2,600 feet elevation, San Carlos has a temperate semi-arid climate. Summer daytime temperatures range from 90-100 degrees, dropping to the mid-60s or mid-70s at night. Summer, the rainiest season, brings approximately 3-4 inches of rain.

“Nearly everyone on the Reservation speaks English, but you experience a very different culture as you enter the Sovereign land.”

Amor has been asked to partner with ARM to build upwards of 1,600 homes on the San Carlos Apache Reservation. In 2005, a representative from ARM had the privilege of meeting with the tribal Chairwoman of the San Carlos Apache Tribe. In that meeting, her face lit up when asked if ARM could help with the need for additional homes for her people. A meeting then followed with the Tribal Housing Authority. There the difficult statistics were revealed: if 135 homes were constructed each year for the next ten years, it would only meet the needs at that time.

Poverty On The San Carlos Reservation Have Lead To Terrible Housing Conditions

The Chairwoman stressed that there is a dire housing shortage on the Reservation, “There are approximately 2400 families on the Reservation in need of homes. 39% of families live in substandard housing and 40% of the families live in overcrowded conditions. Council members and the San Carlos Housing Authority receive at least 6 visits a day from families who have no place to go and are in desperate need of housing. Local community leaders say that it is heartbreaking to tell these families that the waiting list it too long and that there are no homes for them.”

Families Will Occupy Anything  They Can Find

Homes on the San Carlos Apache Reservation range from the size and appearance of a garden shed to over 1,300 square feet. Within the walls of these larger homes, as many as 20 people, sometimes up to 4 families, may reside, most waiting for over 15 years for a home of their own. For many, cramped quarters, un-safe living conditions and poverty contribute to a vicious cycle where “home” is not a safe place to reside. The need for adequate housing is urgent. Chuck Hill, a San Carlos Reservation Housing Council representative, local church leader, and a San Carlos Apache told us today that it far too common that in a three bedroom home there are four families living there: one family in each bedroom and another in the living room.

We almost couldn’t believe our ears when Chuck told us that his son had been on several Amor trips to Mexico. Chuck said he remembers mostly his son saying, “Man Dad, we had to use handsaws!” Only recently Chuck has become extremely frustrated with the difficult and timely processes of trying to get adequate housing for his people. “I thought recently, ‘I am quitting this housing thing. Its too frustrating. But, maybe this is about God getting me back to this. There is a need for well over 1,500 homes today.”

Families Are Living In Cars, Crumbling Trailers, and Dilapidated Dwellings

“The need is so severe there is no way we can meet the need on our own”, shared Dale Lawrence of ARM. After seeing this need personally Steve Horrex, Amor’s Vice President of Global Expansion, said, “the need is so great and we have an opportunity to make a real difference here by sharing God’s love in a tangible and life changing way, building homes for these very, very needy Apache families.” Steve, who is already in the process of identifying several churches to work with on the Reservation also went on to say, “I can see us working in concert together with ARM. Our goal will be to be here year round. We want to make difference, a long term difference.”

Arizona Reservation Ministries Has Contacted Amor to Partner With Them

Amor is prayerfully considering establishing a base of operation at the San Carlos Indian Reservation to work in partnership with the Arizona Reservation Ministry and the Apache Nation to build homes for these needy families.

As we were returning to Phoenix today after this trip I shared with the Amor team who I traveled with, “We can learn from the challenges that the Apache’s have had to deal with in terms of their traditional values and their lives as Christians. It’s a great dialogue and discussion for us to have with our youth who are also wrestling with living life in a post modern teen culture and doing their best to live as Christian youth in that culture.”

ARM Volunteers Building Home For San Carlos Apache Family

The need and opportunity for Amor and countless youth groups from around the world to serve on the Apache Reservation is truly a call to action. A call from the Lawrence’s, a couple who have dedicated their lives to loving and serving the Apache people with all of their hearts and all their God given abilities. This is a call to prayer and a call for Amor and ARM to humbly consider joining together in serving our friends and neighbors of our Apache community.

Scott Congdon is the Founder and CEO of Amor Ministries. Read his personal blog here.

Saturday night my husband Scott,  son Jordan and I went to Sea World because they were having a series of concerts called Viva la Musica! And boy did we hit the jackpot. The artist performing in Shamu Stadium was Reyli – a well known Mexican artist whose music is loved throughout Latin America. As we entered the stadium it became obvious that we were amongst friends. As anyone that knows us understands, the Congdon family might not be Mexican by heritage but we are Mexican in our hearts.

Reyli asked the audience where they were from. Tijuana! And many in the crowd were from Ensenada! There were some from Tecate and Mexicali and San Diego of course. The music was powerful and everyone knew the lyrics. A grandma in front of us sang along and she was at least 20 years older than Reyli. Her beautiful daughter sang and danced with her little boy. In Mexico it always seems that music transcends age differences.

It struck me how empty the stadium would have been if some folks had had their way and we closed the borders due to the overblown concerns of the swine flu. I also wondered how much money Sea World would have lost on their Viva la Musica series. Can you imagine the meetings in Sea World’s executive offices when the swine flu broke?

We live in San Diego. It has been said that one of our busiest malls, Fashion Valley, relies on the support of our neighbors south of the border for 50% to 75% of its revenue.  We seem to grasp readily that they need us. But, when are we going to understand that we also need them?

In January my pastor, Mike McClenehan preached a sermon espousing the communal view that  ‘together we are better’. At a meeting with our pastors in Baja a few months ago I used that same phrase; ‘Together we are better.’  Mexico is our neighbor -  and together WE are better.  Let’s love our neighbor.

Gayla Cooper Congdon is  Founder & CSO of Amor Ministries