A man with an iron suit, a fallen son born of royalty, an assassin, an archer, a solider, a giant green monster, a telekinetic girl, a speedster and a humanoid android form a dysfunctional ticking time bomb called upon to save the world from a mad science project, Pinocchio, gone wrong.  In the latest Marvel blockbuster, Avengers: Age of Ultron, a new villain is created out of fear, raising the possibility of the Avengers disappearing from the world. Tony Stark creates Ultron as an alternative to solving the world’s problems, trying to bring peace to the world.

From this ragtag team of superheroes, we can learn about unity in college ministry.

Embracing Differences

Unity is embracing the differences of our team and working together to accomplish the goal at hand. The Avengers can be considered one of the most dysfunctional teams in the world. Each character’s mistakes hang over the team like a dark cloud. However,  the Avengers learn, through the assembling of their team, to value each other’s differences.  They also learn that each member needs each other in order to end the serious threat to the world. Captain America needs the brains of Tony Stark (Iron Man), who needs the power, and strength of the Hulk.

As campus ministry leaders, we must learn, like the Avengers, to embrace one another’s differences and to work together. In doing so, we are able to better reach students. We must serve one another because that is how God gets the glory. Together as a team, we are able to tackle larger problems. Even though we don’t have superpowers, God supernaturally works in us through the Holy Spirit.

Together We Can Do More

We see through this movie the dynamic of what a team like this can accomplish when it comes together.How the Avengers operate, despite having enormous odds and difficulties, reminds me of Phil 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me.”

These people had flaws and broken pasts, yet through the leadership of Nick Furry in the first Avengers movie, he assembled this team and accomplished great feats, saving the planet from an alien invasion. This time, in Age of Ultron, they saved the world again.

Let’s be encouraged and come together in prayer. That is our source of power to bring people into the kingdom so that they may come to know God.

smaller picture (160x240)Anthony Deng is the New York City Metro Campus Coordinator for Campus Renewal. He leads and coordinates volunteers for events such as One Cry and helps facilitate the New York City Metro Area student core team. Anthony was born and raised in New York City, graduated from CUNY the City College of New York, and has a B.A in History and Asian Studies. Anthony gives New York City tours to freshmen of various campuses. On his tour, he teaches and shows students various hidden gems of New York City. On the side, he loves to collect college sweatshirts and t-shirts.  In addition, he loves to play and watch basketball and football. He an avid fan of the Pacers & Colts.