Run the Race, & NEVER GIVE UP!

Run the race. That’s what the writer in Hebrews said:

Hebrews 12:1

¹Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

First and foremost I have to say, United Methodist Youth is AMAZING! From top to bottom, stem to stern, from youth director to the Bishop, it’s a class organization of people who really live out their faith! OK, enough shameless propaganda, back to the experience…

“Run the race.”     We arrive at Hendrix College Campus around 4:45pm in a 15 passenger van with teens who are bored and restless… Situation normal, right? Then we realized that the monsoon we had  just arrived in had knocked out the power on campus. As we get registered in the dark, the mood is still high, and the leaders and students alike are very excited. After room check, we gather in the Student Life & Technology Center for our first meal together. Let me tell you, unless you are a Jr. High teacher by profession, the din of 170 plus adolescents is a sound that can be well… INTENSE! The energy was palpable, and after the meal, we rejoined in the auditorium for “funzies.” For those reading this who have never attended a youth event, let’s just say that group activities are loud, chaotic, and hilarious! We wrapped up the short day with our first small group meeting, an ice cream social, and an evening worship led by the Kyle Cantrell Band followed by a devotional led by Andrea Allen ( Associate Pastor Lakewood UMC, North Little Rock). The message for our first night was that before we can “run the race” of following God’s call on our lives, we first need to allow Jesus to remove the ‘baggage‘ that we all carry.  Andrea is a gifted speaker, and throughout the week her transparency and willingness to share her shortcomings were a powerful testimony. At 11:15, exhausted youth directors and ‘not so exhausted’ students retired for room check.

Although the weekends activities were amazing, educational, fun and spiritual, I’m really writing this to share what I saw and learned over the weekend, as I attempt to capture a thumbnail of what I experienced. All of the activities and worship were amazing to say the least. We had our daily itinerary mapped out for us, and attached to our necks via an ID pocket/badge. This was so no one would get lost, and everyone could feel “official.” The week in a nutshell opened my eyes to the potential for youth ministry in general.  I really feel I was thinking too small coming into this deal as a youth director. As my preconceptions faded,  I was able to see what ‘ministry by immersion’ meant for these young students first hand. It is truly amazing to see the transforming power of the Holy Spirit at work on such a grand scale. Walls came down as kids “got real” in small groups. I was completely amazed by how deep the faith, conviction, and maturity of our student body was. I was able to witness once again the power of relationship in action, and how much we as adults can truly underestimate the spiritual aptitude of our young disciples. I was able to do ministry one on one with some hurting teens over the weekend, (not from my group mind you) and the experience was a humbling blessing.  I witnessed what it means to have a “heart” for youth ministry by the “Yodas“ of our calling.

I realized again how much I have to learn, but that it’s the process that I get to enjoy. It’s all in the journey, not a destination. I made new friends and was reunited with some old ones. My youth Pastor from waaaay back in 82′/83′ was there.  He and I had talked on the phone a little prior to the trip, and had some emails as well, but to see Rod Hocott in the flesh, still doing youth ministry some 28 YEARS later? PRICELESS!

He still has a childlike passion for young people that defies explanation other than that he continues to answer his call.  As he stated during our conversations, and for those of you who know a little about my story, to see me involved in youth ministry was a pleasant surprise for Rod to put it mildly! I can still remember being that shy little 7th grader who never really felt comfortable in his own skin. I was privileged to meet and minister to a few students who were a lot like I was back in ancient history. But unfortunately we seldom get to see the fruit from the seeds that are planted as we engage these young people. Did Rod ever think that the shy young Mr. Scott would be running a group of inner city kids half way across the state to a youth assembly? Hardly… What we do get the satisfaction of knowing is that we are in the will of a sovereign God, who works through us, and most often in spite of us, to redeem us. I guess that the biggest realization to me this week was the desperate need for people who will invest into young lives with the transforming power of the Gospel message.

Matthew 9:37 “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.”

As a Christian culture, I feel that youth ministry is still sort of the “red-headed step child”of church ministries (No prejudice to redheads, promise !). Everybody wants to pat us on the head and tell us to run along. This is largely due to the sheer lack of evangelism in young peoples ministries in our shiny prepackaged mindset. I think often times, we parents and clergy alike are just so darn tickled our youth are in church, that we just try to maintain a good program,  and are glad we have one. We don’t often talk enough about youth culture, and the world our future generation is growing up in. This “lukewarm” approach is ruining the church. What I saw this week is that kids WANT to be challenged and loved beyond the confines of what’s usually comfortable. We NEED to get our young people to as many events like this as possible. This weekend one of our own accepted Christ as her personal Savior! This was only after she wrestled with her fears of about fitting in. The Jr. High Assembly experience helped her to realize that she could not only be an individual in the Body of Christ, but that it was what God intended! It happened at the alter after Holy Communion, on the last night of Assembly. In my experience, this kind of transformation doesn’t regularly happen on Sunday one hour a week. For most of these young people, the “me-centric” culture screams so loud that the “still small voice” of God gets drowned out. The message of the cross is not only needed for our youth for their own salvation, but for them to own and carry with them; “to go and make disciples” as Jesus commanded. It’s not just a job for adults. The youth are not the future of the church, they are the church right now.  So as I see it, if the Rod Hocotts of the world aren’t there today, the Vini Scotts won’t be there tomorrow.  Thank you Rod for still being there. In closing, have you hugged “your” Youth Pastor today? Or more importantly have you invested your time and your pocket book to building the Kingdom? Food for thought… I know for this “green” Youth Director, the future is bright if we take the time to spread the light.

Blessings,

-Vini

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