Lynette McIntosh-Madrigal shares how she has experienced conflict transformation among inner-city youth in Fresno, California.
This blog is part of the ongoing Learn, Pray, Join: Climate Justice: Conflict Transformation series.
Lynette McIntosh-Madrigal is rooted in California’s Central Valley and her cherished Mexican heritage from Michoacán, Mexico. She is deeply guided by her love for Jesus. With a heart for youth work and community development, Lynette channels this faith into empowering young minds and nurturing stronger communities. Lynette is a passionate advocate for holistic growth, believing in the transformative power of investing in individuals and neighborhoods for a brighter, more equitable and resilient future. Lynette holds a Master of Arts in community leadership and transformation from Fresno (California) Pacific Biblical Seminary and loves discovering new food spots with her husband. Lynette is also on Mennonite Church USA’s Women in Leadership Steering Committee.
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“Welcome to Campus Life, a space where we will talk about real life and God, and all are welcome!”
A flurry of teens comes into an already crowded room. The music is blaring, and the smell of lukewarm Little Caesars is coming from the front of the room. Around the room, you can see our leaders, from different congregations in Fresno, California, who volunteer their lunch hour to invest in the lives of these teens.
Some of these teens are seeking acceptance, while others are finding a space away from the hot California sun, and for some others, I actually don’t quite know yet why they come. But I firmly believe that many choose to stay, because they leave with their hearts filled and hope restored, as they go back to the cruel reality of the inner city. We get to connect with some of them a bit deeper, as they head into a nearby church for basketball, games and a word from the Lord.
I typically feel confident and over-prepared for my Wednesday nights with inner-city youth. I look forward to these evenings, as they often give me some respite from my day job in community development. Although I love my day of non-profit work, I find that I also need moments during which I get to spend time investing in the lives of teens.
But not all Wednesday nights are picturesque and life-giving. Some of them are actually quite difficult. And in the blink of an eye, you can find yourself moving from chatting quietly with a teen about school to breaking up a fight amongst other teens. I’ve had to learn how to deescalate the deep tension and offenses that have occurred. Actually, I find it quite ironic that a fight would occur in an Anabaptist-believing church gym. Yet here we all are, and conflict has erupted.
And although it wasn’t me who victoriously led these young people to a peace agreement and hug at the end. I did witness my dear friend and esteemed youth pastor, Brad Isaak, lovingly and firmly deescalate the conflict and seeking restored and right relationships. You see, it wasn’t my years of seminary experience in an Anabaptist institution that brought ease to the tension, nor was it Brad’s, for that matter. It was Brad’s investment and commitment to these teen boys that allowed for the space to firmly correct and navigate the situation. Brad had spent long hours with these teens to earn their trust.
He had earned their respect. This respect allowed him to navigate the conflict, firmly but with love.
We can see Jesus model the investment and commitment needed for managing conflict. In the gospels, we see Jesus approaching people who were considered “sinners” or “unclean.” He shows that he cares for them and takes the time to earn their trust. This reminds me of the passage in Mark 8:31-33. Up until this point, Jesus had taken the time to invest in his disciples, care for them and teach them, despite their arguing and unbelief. Jesus told them that he must be killed and will rise on the third day, and Peter rebuked him. Instead of avoiding the problem or dealing with it later, Jesus rebuked Peter and told him he is not setting his mind on the things of God. Jesus has earned their respect and dealt with the conflict, firmly but with love.
I learned a lot that night about conflict and continue to do so. That night served as a reminder to me about the greater call, as a follower of Jesus to supports others in the pursuit of right relationships with their neighbors. It also gave me the confidence to gently and lovingly remind others what they are called to. It is easy to dismiss inner-city youth as sinners and not take the time to invest in them. It is also easy to let conflict go on without resolve. By following Jesus’ way, we can invest care and time into others who may be different from us, we can challenge them to grow, and we can model and encourage right relationships with one another.
“Learn, Pray, Join: Conflict Transformation” provides tools and resources to help MC USA church communities peacefully engage in dialog around difficult and divisive topics. By embracing restorative justice and modeling healthy communication, we seek to witness to God’s peace, as we build diverse communities to serve and follow Jesus.
You are invited to get involved with Learn, Pray, Join: Climate Justice: Conflict Transformation.
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The views and opinions expressed in this blog belong to the author and are not intended to represent the views of the MC USA Executive Board or staff.
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