|
As he spoke, I thought about how we have heard those types of prayers echoed around the world by church leaders who are desperately crying out to God over the teenagers and young adults in their countries who need Jesus. There are 2.3 billion young people in our world between the ages of 10-29 years old who have yet to experience Jesus as Savior and Lord. THIS is why we are training next generation leaders in Jesus-Focused Youth Ministry inside local churches all over the world…even in places where it is extremely difficult to publicly express your faith or share it with someone else.
At lunch, on the first day of training, the pastor who hosted our event shared that we “must make sure we do not lose the next generation.” He was concerned that although adults and young children were attending his church, he needed to understand how to “build bridges” to Gen Z.
Another participant shared how they had been praying and looking forward to this gathering for many months. They explained how some in attendance had traveled for over 12 hours to attend the gathering.
One lady explained how her church was seeking to reach out to the next generation by lovingly inviting them into her home and building relationships with them. She expressed how grateful she was that we had come. She said that the teaching she and her husband received from us was confirmation they were headed in the right direction and that she could see that God is “agreeing with what we are doing.” She said that the three days we spent with them gave them encouragement to keep going…and a road map that will help them determine their next steps.
Another attendee expressed how they discovered for the first time that there is a difference between someone who simply attends church services each week and someone who is a disciple seeking to disciple others. And that even young people can be a disciple like that!
One pastor said that the significance of the Forum for him was the reminder that Christ needs to be in every part of His life.
While God has given me the opportunity to train others all over the world in Jesus-Focused Youth Ministry…this trip was different. I was overwhelmingly humbled by those I fellowshipped with each day. Men and women who risk everything for the Gospel. Men and women who pray against the satanic strongholds in their countries and see the physical and spiritual impact of those prayers on a daily basis. Men and women who would have physical copies of the Scriptures confiscated from them if they were discovered yet are able to recite passages of Scripture at great length and ease. After the first couple of days, I was a bit confused as to why I was even there. And then I remembered Paul’s journeys, and how he was used to encourage the church (See I Thessalonians 1). I was also reminded of those who helped fund his journeys, like Phoebe, Lydia, Aquila, Priscilla, and Gaius. And the churches in Philippi and Berea.
Finally, thank you. Thank you for partnering with us in prayer for our fellow believers on the other side of the world who follow Jesus at such a great cost. Thank you to those of you who either individually support or are a part of congregations who support the training we offer in places like this. God is using you in the same ways He used Phoebe, Lydia, and the church in Berea over 2,000 years ago! As we move into a season focused on raising funds for the new year, I encourage you to prayerfully consider with whom you should share the Reach Out Youth Solutions story. We believe God has plans to greatly advance the mission and vision of ROYS in exciting ways and challenging locations, and we would be honored to have you and/or others on the journey with us!
| 
