I’ll shout it from the mountaintop (Hey, World!),
I want my world to know the Lord of love has come to me,
I want to pass it on.
Last weekend we were blessed to host the youth from Wilmington Conference for Midwinter. What a scene there was around here! There was laughter and friendship beginning, refreshed, and renewed, there was time to be silly and goofy, and there was seriousness and thoughtfulness. The youth studied together and discussed all the aspects of conflict they face—conflict with self, with friends and family, with God. Some of the youth were able to travel to Matthew 25 Ministries on Saturday for a servant’s project. Gracious and generous people from church came to feed them at church, and then some more gracious and generous people took groups of the youth into their homes overnight. Then on Sunday, the youth worshiped with us, and led us through the message of the day—the story of Joseph, the conflicts he faced and the ways he turned to God for strength and help, and God working to bring a good result from things people meant for evil.
But the truth of the weekend is that listing the events cannot describe accurately what really happened here. For you see, what happened was filled with the power, the presence, and the ministry of God in our youth and through them, too. Really, it is difficult to describe without my eyes getting watery and my heart getting full. Love filled the building, the youth, the volunteers and teachers and pastors who were here. Stories of struggle and doubt were shared, as well as stories of beauty and faith. And in the end, all who were part of the experience could say that they had truly encountered a time when God was clear and real and present.
All I can write at this point is what a blessing it was to be allowed to host this event. Last summer at camp, I volunteered us as the host site, not really knowing what I was getting ourselves into. But God took care of everything. You responded wonderfully by giving of your time, of yourselves, to feed and house the youth. The leaders and volunteers for the event were prepared and focused to facilitate a time together where God was free to move. And over the weekend, God moved and the people were in tune with God enough to recognize it and join God in the work.
Sunday morning in our worship, Scott Cain suggested that the choir’s anthem for the day be changed to the song “Pass It On”, and that the youth be invited to sing along with us. I’m not sure if Scott expected the result, but it was beautiful to behold—teenagers locked arm in arm, swaying while they sang from the heart, adults singing with tears in their eyes as they saw the depth of faith and love in the youth, and the whole congregation part of an epiphany. Yes, an epiphany—Jesus was there, and revealed himself in that moment to us. Loving, sharing, calling, saving, serving. And none of us who were there will ever be the same.
In Christ,
Michael
