Rev. Samuel Robles Jr.

I'm writing this just a couple of hours after witnessing the inauguration of President Barack Obama. It was incredible to see the coverage on TV, and witness such a historic moment. The whole time I was watching the TV, wondering what must have been passing through the minds of President Obama, President Bush, Pastor Rick Warren, Rev. Joseph Lowery, the people standing and watching yards away, etc. There were so many images that impacted me, such as seeing President Obama and President Bush walk and share together before, during, and after the inauguration ceremony.

And as the shift of leadership in the United States was happening before my very eyes, I was thinking about the 24 Youth and Young Adult Hispanic/Latino(a) leaders that I shared with this past weekend in Orlando. It was an incredible leadership seminar, and I am still in awe at the incredible leaders that attended. They are full of vision, passion and hope for the Hispanic community and Church in the US and Canada. Likewise, I feel as though I witnessed this past weekend a shift in the term labeled upon them as "the leaders of tomorrow" to "the leaders of today."

Despite various opinions and critique, I am thankful for President Bush's service to this country, and I pray that God may continue to be with him and his family.
I pray that God may be with President Obama as he now serves as this country's President, and that God may give him the strength and wisdom needed to make the correct decisions necessary, and that God may protect him and his family from harm.

I am thankful to God for this leadership seminar, and the wonderful youth and young adults that I met. I pray that God may give them all wisdom and vision to make a difference in their families, churches, schools, and communities. That they may truly be the leaders, visionaries, and prophets that we need today.