Why I serve at ALL in youth comes primarily from three different places: my duty, my talent, my heart. As a leader of All in Youth and other youth gatherings I have the absolute pleasure to be part of seeing the reward of God’s children coming to know their perfect Father better. That is an amazing bonus when we get to see the lost be found, but that is not always the case. Most of the time I feel I am just a seed planter making small investments toward that main goal. If my reason for serving was based on results, I would be disappointed more often than not. So looking at why All in youth and serving youth in general is so important to me stems from three things:

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1. It’s important to God. Very important to God. Malachi 2:15 (ESV), “Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring.”. Children that know Him are the reason God puts a portion of the Holy Spirit between married couples! God truly desires youth to know Him and I believe it’s my duty to help make that happen.
    

2. God has blessed me with the ability to thrive with youth. My Myers–Briggs test would tell you that I’m introverted and around the majority of adults that’s true. But, get me around a group of kids and I feel right at home. I believe that God has gifted me with the ability to connect to youth. So I want to serve God with my talent.
    

3. My heart.  I want to be part of the solution. I am not ignorant to youth culture today, I have 3 kids soon to all be teenagers. At football games sitting next to the youth section I hear language and see how they dress. I see the videos they watch, hear the “music” they listen too, hear about what they vape. Those are just the kids.  Add in the parent(s) of these kids that struggle with addiction, abuse, and abandonment and someone could quickly draw the conclusion that these kids are a lost cause. Not on God’s watch they are not. As a matter of fact I think it’s the very people Christ is seeking. …“Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:16-17, ESV) My heart breaks for kids and young adults who don’t know the Hope, Freedom, Love and Acceptance found in Christ our King. 

 

I am thankful that I am able to be part of God’s work serving the youth.

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Word from Associate Minister and Adult Leader, Jake Mudger