Jesse Cottonham: GX Volunteer Mentor
by Grace Dulcé
With more than 25 years of working with youth from all walks of life under his belt, Jesse Cottonham is showing no signs of slowing down. He and his wife, Pally, of 34 years have been awarded a number of covetous titles including the Jefferson and Mielke Awards for outstanding community service. This San Francisco native’s love for God and passion for kids can be seen weekly as he volunteers his Sundays to help serve GX youth.
The Cottonham’s have been ALCF members for three years. They have two adult children who are both married and ALCF members. Jesse, having gone on the Mexico mission trips and both summer and winter camps, treasures many fond memories with the youth. By profession, he is a human performance senior specialist for a local energy company, where he trains electrical workers to reduce performance errors. Upstairs in GX, he is simply known as “Uncle Jesse.” Read more
“Transformed” by Pastor Daniel Thomas and Pastor Marcus Randolph
Youth Pastors Daniel Thomas and Marcus Randolph speaking on being transformed.
Never Too Young To Make A Difference
Mission Example 2011—Mexico
by Paula Dulcé
I open my eyes to be greeted by other vehicle’s headlights, which, because of the early time, seem blinding. My older brother pulls into a parking space with ease, and as I hear the car’s wheels come to a stop, my heart races. Suddenly, I am no longer groggy, but anxious—ready for this amazing trip to start. As I open the door and step out, the chilly morning breeze surrounds me. My brother carries my luggage to an open van, and he squeezes in my suitcase with the others in the already-full trunk. As he finishes, I turn to him and he gives me a nice long, warm embrace. He lets go, looks in my eyes, and says, in a deep stern voice, “Be good.”
Kennzeil Love
ALCF Member: 4 Years
“I’ve been at ALCF since September 2007 because God told my parents it was time for a change. This is exactly what happened for me too, when I joined GX (Generation Example).”
Ministry Service: GX
“As I’ve always seen, if you stay in one place and follow the same routine from the same director, everything is predictable, then you get comfortable and don’t experience much growth or anything different. When I came to ALCF, although I didn’t like it at first, I grew with the Lord and even really gave my life to Him. Now, I’m involved with HIS (His Image Staged), as well as an accountability group which meets every Wednesday.”
Degree: High school Diploma, Piedmont High school, 2011
Future Aspirations: Kennzeil will be attending San Jose City College this fall and eventually plans to transfer to Biola University.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”—1 Corinthians 13: 4–7
Thiago De Souza
Thiago De Souza
Thiago De Souza
ALCF Member: 4 Years
“I was looking for a place where as a teen, I could grow in Christ and share my gifts and talents. I have always wanted to be a part of a diverse group and ALCF was the perfect fit for me.”
Ministry Service: GX Generation Example & ALCF Music Department
“GX has changed my life in the sense that it helped me get closer to God. Before I went to GX I was a rebel child you may say. I lied, stole, cheated, cussed, got into fights, etc. But ever since then, the influence the leaders and students in GX started to rub off on me. Little by little I started giving up my old ways, simply because I had positive influence from the leaders and I picked my friends carefully and also because God was still at work in my life.”
Degree: High school Diploma, South City High school, 2011
Next Steps: This Fall, Thiago will be attending Liberty University.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”—James 1:2–4
Student Ministries
Transforming Students into Lifelong Disciples of Jesus Christ
by Dena Evans
[Volume 1, Issue 3, Fall 2007]
At first glance, this doesn’t look like your parents’ Sunday school. Colorful beanbag chairs, cushioned sofas, video games, and wide-screen TV sets provide the backdrop for this meeting place, while the sounds of a full band jamming to the rhythmic drumbeat of a contemporary praise and worship music style reverberate off the bright purple, orange, green, and blue-painted walls. Absent are a blackboard and traditional classroom configuration. But present are stacks of Bibles waiting to be brought out as needed for small group discussion. Here at GX and The HOUSE, students (from sixth grade and up) enjoy the familiarity of a clubhouse-like, recreational atmosphere and contemporary music.
Generation Example (photo: Charls Fosterwhite)
