I stepped into the worship center after prayer service last night and was greatly blessed to hear our students practicing and getting ready to lead the Student Sunday Worship service today. There were at least 10 students playing instruments, singing and having a good time preparing to lead our church in worship. I wish every member and almost member could have been with me to hear them pray, encourage each other and lift up praise to God.
On the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit engulfed the church, Peter quoted from the prophet Joel giving definition to what God had done:
“And it shall come be in the last days, God says, that I will pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams…” (Acts 2:17)
When the young people that day stood up and began to proclaim the gospel, sing praise to God and receive a glimpse of what God was doing, the church recognized that God was with them in a new and powerful way. Last night as I listened to our students rehearse, that scripture in Acts echoed in my mind and I gave thanks that today we will receive a fresh touch of the Holy Spirit though the way God will lead them to inspire our worship.
We give thanks today for Trent Campbell and Joshua Hall who lead our young people every month in our Student-Led Worship services. Trent works with those who preach and give testimony of what God’s word is doing in their lives. Joshua leads the Student Praise Band teaching youth to sing and lift their hearts to God in praise. These two leaders are men who are being led by God to make lasting spiritual impressions on the lives of our young people. I praise God for Trent and Josh.
We thank God for our Youth Ministry Team led by Elaine Dixon. This dedicated group of leaders meets regularly planning all the ministries and events which guide young people into a closer walk with God. This great ministry would not happen without organization and planning. All the folks who serve on this team give second-mile service to God so that the young people involved may thrive as they grow and develop into fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. There may be student ministries in other churches that are bigger, but there is not one anywhere that is better. I give thanks today for everyone involved in teaching, leading, preparing food, chaperoning and praying for the student ministry.
There is an old legend that the apostle Peter passed by a blind man one day and healed him. Walking further down the road, Peter saw a demon-possessed man. He immediately cast the demon out of the man setting him free. Further down the road, Peter saw a man sitting by the road side weeping. Peter asked the man why he was crying. The man explained that he was the father of a teenager. Peter sat down beside the man and wept with him.
We are not weeping today. We are rejoicing and praising God for all that He is doing in the lives of our students to build them up and use them to bless not only our church, but their families and friends as well. Pray for our students today as they lead us all to reach up to heaven. Pray for their parents and their homes that God will use them to give testimony to the joy that comes in serving the Lord. Our students are front-line witnesses at school and among their friends to the Love of God in their hearts through their faith in Christ Jesus. Let’s worship and give thanks today as our students lead us.