If you’ve been in church for awhile, or even just in the societal United States, I’m sure you’ve heard phrases like “teens are the church of tomorrow” or “youth today will be running things one day”. I am very thankful to have had youth leaders who very frequently and adamantly reminded us that what we do today is important and that we can make a difference now, it doesn’t make sense to “wait” to make a difference, we are the church, etc.
The church we worked with in Costa Rica definitely exemplified that. We were living and doing ministry in a pretty dangerous slum area of Costa Rica, and we saw the youth run the church we were working with there in July. The youth lead the worship for church, the youth do the street evangelism and invite people in their community to church, the youth lead VBS’s in the streets for neighborhood kids, plan events, and anything else you can think of they probably have a hand in as well. One of the coolest things is that the first half of July was their “winter” break, and while they do so much in the church normally, they used their school break for ministry…every last day of it. Also, many of them go out into slum communities like theirs every Saturday, and have been for years, to disciple new Christians who either do not have a church near them or accepted Christ at a VBS and have no one to disciple and teach them.
Some of the youth at the church, and another missions team with us.
At any stage of life, it’s easy to use excuses such as, ‘I’m not old enough’, ‘I don’t know enough’, ‘I’ll get rejected’, ‘there are others who are better for the job,’ etc. However, reality is that Jesus’ disciples dropped everything and followed Him. We too easily forget how big of an honor it is to be asked by the King of Kings to tell others what He has done for us and desires to do for each and every person. He desires that we use what we know to do what He’s called us to and trust Him. Good news is that if you know enough to have accepted Christ, you know enough to share with others and help them to do the same.
What does that look like in your life to not wait until you’ve ‘arrived’ to do something for God?
What does it look like to bring glory to The Lord through your life?
Another youth group picture, silly style!
Live Well,
Crystal
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