I dedicate this blog to my teenage siblings, our youth group, and the youth of Nepal we were blessed to work alongside. I love you all!!
Early on this month our teams (Entrusted and Braveheart) were asked to plan a seminar for a growing church. We decided on a dozen topics to cover. But one topic the church specifically asked us to cover was the role of youth in the church. I quickly signed up to cover this subject. As a woman who felt called by God at a young age, older sister to multiple teenage siblings, and mentor to young women, I am passionate about this topic. It is one of the reasons Cody and I serve as youth leaders in our church at home.
I am blessed by the amount of youth involved in the Nepalese church. Both churches we were a part of (the one we prepared the seminar for and our home-base church) had congregations consisting of 50% youth. By youth I mean teenagers and early 20’s. How awesome, right?! The thing that amazed me more is the responsibility they carry. The entire worship team and children’s ministry of both churches are ran by youth.
Cody and I had the opportunity to serve with 3 young people during 3 days of evangelism in a remote mountain village. Let me tell you, they took their role as evangelists seriously! Despite their young age and assumed lack of experience they spent more time with the locals than the 5 Racers there. (Of course, they speak Nepali and we don’t.) 
One of these young men has only been a Christian for a few months! It was awesome to see young people passionate about spreading the gospel. In fact, our host’s (their pastor) vision is to raise up the youth in his church and mobilize them to evangelize. His vision is to send them into unreached, remote villages for a year at a time to spread the gospel and plant churches.
I enjoy watching youth discover their place in God’s Kingdom. As I mentioned, I had the opportunity to give a lecture on the role of youth in the church. The main focus was this: The Holy Spirit has no age limit! Your role is the same as the adults in your congregation.
The Bible has many examples of youth being called by God and serving effectively. Here are a few:
Samuel (1Samuel 3:3-10) – After God calls to him 3 times, Samuel replies “Here I am Lord.” He proves that God calls youth into service
David (1 Samuel 1:1-13) – He is considered the least of all in his father’s house, yet God instructs Samuel to anoint him king over the Israelites. He proves that God is not a respecter of persons and anoints even young people
Josiah (2 Kings 23:4-20) – Becomes king at age 8 and serves as David did. He goes on to throw out corrupt priests and burn their idols. He proves that youth are capable of living counterculture lives for God and cast out sin/idols in their’ lives
Mary (Luke 1:26-33) – She is chosen to carry the Messiah and is called “blessed above all women.” She proves that youth can carry strong Godly responsibility and live holy lives
Jesus (Luke 2:41-49) – Was 12 when he was found in the temple talking to teachers and amazing all the people with his wisdom. When asked why he wondered off and scared his parents, he answers “Didn’t you know I would be about my Father’s work?” He proves that youth can know their true identity and purpose
Each of these young people knew the Lord’s call and walked in obedience. Each of them would have been born into a world fallen from God, yet they chose to live counter-culturally. They chose to leave the world behind and follow God. As a result, the world was blessed through them.
A good friend of ours’ once said, “The youth are not the church of tomorrow… They are part of the church today and need to be trained as such.” About 2 years ago, Cody and I began praying that God would raise up a generation for Himself. We hope that it will be a generation He will give new revelations to and make mighty. We even named our church youth group Revelation Generation (RevGen) as a declaration over our young people.
I wish to exhort the youth of God to live out the words of 1 Timothy (4:12). Be an example to other youth. Be an example in your schools, colleges, and work places. Be an example in your church. You are called to something higher and far greater than this world. I encourage you to call out each others gifts. (Parents and church leaders, please help with this.) Let us choose to walk out our faith together (Ecclesiastes 4:12) and declare that we are the REVELATION GENERATION!
