The Kids Are Alright
Youth With A Mission, Madison, WI
Our youth group is doing a YWAM (Youth With A Mission) Mission Adventure camp. They did one last year, in Richmond, VA. This year, Jessie and I were able to go.
First, I am so proud of this youth group. They are serious about Jesus and His Word. Youth ministry is REALLY hard these days. There are tons of reasons, but I can tell you what probably won’t work, and what definitely will not help the kids: an entertainment based youth ministry. A social event youth ministry. Guys my age and older remember when the bigger Methodist churches in Lexington all had huge youth groups. Sometimes we pine away for those days. Sometimes we think we were just so awesome.
Let me tell you, the world got weird. Our kids face challenges we never did. Youth group cannot be the place where our kids go to—hopefully, probably— not drink, not get pregnant or get someone pregnant. What I mean is youth group is not the place where we send our kids to have a safe, fun time. That is way too low a bar. It always was, but it really is now.
Youth group needs to be about serious discipleship. Our kids need to know the Word. They need to know and follow Jesus. From the heart. With conviction. They won’t make it otherwise. You know exactly what I am talking about.
I am blown away by our kids. Its a young group. They are learning some heavy things about God’s character and attributes. And they have been hitting the streets of Madison, WI, telling people about Jesus.
Quick story. We were on a scavenger hunt. Kendall, Alaina, and me (me know me should use “I;” deal with it.) We met a guy named Chase, gave him a slice of pizza. He told us that he was from Chicago. He said AI had made him quit believing in God in 2014. You see how people end up on the streets. I asked if I could give him a Gospel of John. [The YWAM staff was a little shocked that I carry tracts and Gospels of John] He said sure. “Do you believe God is bigger than AI?”
“Yes.”
Then I shared with him John 1:12. “No one can take that away from you if you believe.” I prayed for him to be delivered from his oppression.
We saw him again last night. As we passed on the street, he gave me a fist-bump and said “I am trying.”
The kids come back from their times of street evangelism with all kinds of great stories. What they saw that broke their hearts. How they got to bless someone. How they told about Jesus. I can see them growing… applying what the Bible says, both in terms of action and the motivation of the heart.
We need more disciples to give a week to some heavy Scripture learning and directly putting it into practice. And then not forgetting it when they go home.
I have to say. This youth group… they have given their time to a serious time of Bible study and mission work. Yeah, we are going to a water park the last day. But I am so proud that they are willing to give the time and dig deep.
We have a few more days here. Pray for Kendall, Alaina, Marisa, Judith, Josephine, and Nadia. And remember our youth pastor, Jacob. He is the real deal. And his wife, Caitlyn; he can’t do it without her. They love God, His Word, and His kids. It is hard to be a youth pastor. Everyone seems to know “what will work,” and “how to get more kids.” Support Your Local Youth Pastor.