Who am I?
My name is Andy Jarrett. I am a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, as He is my model for living. I am the son of two fantastic parents who live just a few streets away. I am the brother to two amazing sisters who are also my Sisters-in-Christ. I am a brother (in-law) to two mighty men of God and I am an uncle to six, yes six, talented and very cool nieces. I love soccer and I enjoy being physically active. I earn a living working in management, and enjoy it because I love people and I want God to enable me to be a better leader. In 2010, God plucked me out of the miserable situation that I created for myself and showed me grace. For my terrible decisions and selfish, self-seeking, destructive behavior, I was unfairly given a chance to truly live. It didn’t make sense, as I deserved punishment and not mercy. My response to that gift, luckily, was to accept it, whole-heartedly and to turn my attention to that gift. I ran towards it then and I don’t intend to stop running towards the gift of salvation Jesus has given me. He has turned my life from an ordinary existence that I thought was all about me – to a life filled with peace and joy. Before I came to know Christ, I was the opposite of easy-going. I thought I knew it all and if you disagreed with me, then you were wrong. God has opened my eyes to so many things, but most importantly He has shown me humility. I am now able to gain valuable wisdom that before, I had no value for.
I have a love and desire to be available and accessible to my loved ones so that I can support, encourage and love them. I also want to show Jesus to everyone I meet, by being joy-filled and having a positive attitude that reflects the hope I have in my heart for this world and the people in it. I’ve always had an optimistic nature, but now I have clear direction for my thoughts and words. Before, I chased ideas that sounded good until they proved otherwise, and then I moved on to something or someone else. Now I have the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of me as my Guide, Counselor and Comforter. I ask Him for discernment and He leads me. I’ve felt confident about a lot of things in my life, but this path I’m on now is the only sure thing I’ve ever known. The people in my life are the only source of truth and love in the flesh that I have ever encountered, and they’re all people of God. That’s not a coincidence.
What was my Tres Dias Experience?
Tres Dias has been the cornerstone to my development as a new believer. The Body of Christ is so vibrant and exciting in this community of believers and it’s put my relationship with Jesus on fast forward! My faith grows stronger and stronger every day because I have believers all around me encouraging me, relying on me, sharing with me and building me up.
My Tres Dias weekend was a learning course in Christianity and an exposure to things that I honestly didn’t understand, as I was just a few months a new believer. I received two absolutely invaluable things on my weekend. The first was where to start reading my Bible. “In the New Testament, start with the Gospel of Matthew,” I was told. So after my weekend I did, and not long after that I’d read the Gospels and my foundation of faith began. Not long after that I’d finished reading the New Testament, and I was drinking in God’s word. 
The other major eye-opener for me was an answer to prayer. I had heard about other believers hearing from God, and I didn’t think I’d heard from Him. God answered my prayer immediately by telling me to “Be Still”. This isn’t something I’ve ever had much of a value for, but I do now. If I’m running everywhere all the time, never taking time to look around and listen, then I’m not going to hear anything but myself. Talk about a recipe for disaster! I definitely haven’t perfected this practice, but I’m growing more comfortable with stillness, silence and reflection as the days go by. Interestingly, I often say I gained as much or more out of my Tres Dias weekend on the first several weekends that I served thereafter.
As a new believer, I really wasn’t capable of understanding the depth of what the Holy Spirit was doing on these weekends, and it was only when I had started to mature in my faith and was able to sit back and observe, while serving, that I began to understand and appreciate the power and simplicity of the three days we spend together, devoting our time, efforts and ourselves to what God wants to show us. I believe He shows us that He is a Healer, a Bridge between people and cultures, a Compassionate Listener, and a Father who loves us completely and unconditionally.
Why do I serve on the KCTD Board?
I serve on the Kansas City Tres Dias board because I believe in this ministry. I get something amazing and different on every weekend and I love witnessing the changes that occur in the lives of people that attend. Everyone gets something out of a weekend and so many of us get so much more. We get moved in closer to God’s people and we are stronger together than apart. We get equipped, recharged and cleaned up so that we can go out and fight for God on a daily basis. This of course happens on our weekends, but I get these things when I meet with my Reunion Group brothers and when I talk to them. I am a better Christian and servant at my church because I’m in communion with my Tres Dias family. I serve on The Board because I’m led to serve on The Board. God is doing amazing things in Kansas City through this ministry and He needs us to facilitate the development and growth of His ministry called KCTD. I am honored to be a part of it.
Andy Jarrett
Palanca Chair & Pre-Weekend (Men’s)
