Last weekend was a great weekend. We had a weekend long gathering at the church for students. We all hung out together from Friday at 6:00 until Sunday at noon. We slept on the floor (for a couple hours each night), worshiped together, ate together, prayed together, thought and talked about God together. It was pretty intense. Also, it was great to reunite with two former students, Michael and Mary Ashley!
When I was a youth pastor in Dallas, there was this kid named Michael in our student ministry. He was creative, artistic, very entertaining, but confident enough to be a little goofy at times. Another student in our church, Mary Ashley, was quite a unique individual as well. She had a spark. She was full of life and energy. You could almost feel the molecules pinging around her when she entered the room. She was also a wonderful dancer.
Well, these two kids got to know one another, fell in love, and married. After college they decided to take on the world. So they packed up all their things and moved to New York City.
It was so exciting to have them come to our retreat and minister to our students. This was my first opportunity to see them since they married.
Sunday morning we were having our final gathering and Michael, Mary Ashley, and I were in front of the students chatting about faith and the pressure our culture has on young people. Maybe because of the lack of sleep, but I had this verse in my brain I wanted to share but just couldn't upload it to my month. It's a very simple verse. Paul says, "And they glorified God in me." (Galatians 1:24)
God was glorified through Michael and Mary Ashley during our weekend with the students! With so many former students walking away from the faith, it was satisfying to see two who are as passionate as ever about God. Thanks guys! My He continue to glorify himself through you!
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1 comment:
John, praise our amazing God for youth pastors like you who truly care. We are blessed here at Calvary Chapel to have a youth pastor who speaks truth confidently into the young people's lives here. We see God at work in our youth and singles. He is alive and so powerfully at work! I thank Him every day for His patience in my life and pray for my children to choose the path of truth in their lives early and stick with it! Bless ya'll! I enjoyed reading this!
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