This morning as I was running, I reflected on the past six years. Our stint in student ministry started out much like my morning run…will power to keep going even when the cup of joe I had just downed was shouting, “You know it is more comfortable walking!” The longer I ran the easier it got and the less I had to tell myself, “Just keep pushing.”
There were moments in our ministry and moments in my run that looked like the story of the little red caboose; an object bracing the weight of a digressing train and in need of two black steam engines to give a boost from behind to make it over an ominous hill.
In the course of the ministry God sent much needed relationships to get us successfully over mountainous terrains. We are forever grateful for the mountains and for the people that God sent because without both we wouldn’t be the people that we are or are becoming. Likewise the student ministry would not look as it does now either.
Yesterday, it was Ron’s turn to tell our students that he is passing along one baton and taking up another.
He hasn’t stopped running. It is still the same race. It is a different track.
In the midst of the past 6 years some stretches seemed so long. However, in looking back it was truly less than a breath. A compilation of moments each allowed by an infinitely wise and loving heavenly Father.
Ron has continually told me that he wants to be faithful with what God puts in front of him. I can attest during this portion of the race he has done so.
More than anything this mission has hammered into me Galatians 6:9:
Let us not become weary of doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
This year has been a year of harvest. We have watched the students who are serious about their faith rise up. We have seen them disciple one another in community groups, be faithful counselors and planners in Intersection Weekend (a three day high school led middle school event to transition the 6th grade class into the ministry), and act in such a way as to bring God glory.
It is true of youth leaders as disciple makers as it was of John:
Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
~3 John 1:2-4 ESV
More than anything as we transition out of student ministry we long to hear that our students are walking in the truth.
Likewise we pray for continued growth.
And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
~Philippians 1:9-11 ESV
There is so much more work to do. If it were not so Christ would have already returned. Students, look around you. Pray for one another and hold one another accountable. Read your word and become a student of it. Pray also for Travis and Jessica and the new youth pastor and his family.
I ask you to pray for Ron and I as we set forth in this new area of ministry. As Ron puts on the adult discipleship hat, pray for God’s will to be done in and through us and for faithfulness to obey all His commands. Join us in praying for the health of adult life groups and for God to send out workers into His harvest field both in our local body of the church and to all areas of the world.
May you realize this truth and may we not rob God of the glory due His name:
Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us.
~ Isaiah 26:12 NIV
Likewise, we agree with Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:
So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. 1 Corinthians 3:7-9 NIV
It has been our absolute privilege to run the last 6 miles with DRIVE Student Ministries. May God bless the next man who is set to run miles and miles more.
To the volunteers who have worked with us the last 6 years, our deepest gratitude. You have made all the difference! To the students: We LOVE you and count it the greatest blessing that you would have chosen to worship with us.
