It Had Been a While
Last Wednesday, I did something I haven’t done in a long while – about three decades ago now:
I went to youth group.
Our own youth group, Central Youth, put on a “Back-to-school” night for parents of youth group kids to come and experience what Central Youth is all about…and as a parent of a kid that goes to Central Youth, I gotta say,
it was amazing.
Let me give you some reflections on it.
The first thing I noticed is that the kids who are a part of it all love it. They absolutely love being there, they love playing the silly games, they love getting to make new friends, and they love the excitement our leaders bring to the group.
That kids love coming to youth group is NOT a given. But it is a gift. And we’ve got it.
A second thing I noticed is that many of the kids who are there are not kids who come to this (or any) church. Now, obviously, we’d love for all of them (along with their families and friends and neighbors and classmates!) to come to Central. That’s the hope. But that’s not the point. The point – which is happening on Wednesday nights in our basement – is
to introduce kids to Jesus and the good news about him.
Another thing I noticed is that the parents who were there seemed to really have a good time too. As parents, we didn’t just observe – we played the games too. One game was basically Pictionary but with tortilla shells (you had to bite a tortilla into the shape of whatever was on your card and your team had to guess) – and it was so fun and ridiculous and funny to see us adults competing with our children for who could best bite a tortilla into a given shape. The point of the games isn’t to have fun necessarily, but to give kids a sense of “this place is for me”. When kids have that sense, not only are they better able to be themselves, but they’re able to see that if this place is for me – and these adult leaders are for me – then
maybe this Jesus who they talk about is actually for me as well.
And here’s the thing: I think the parents felt that way too. I know I did.
I noticed a number of other things as well, but I’ll just give you one final thing I noticed:
our Central Youth leaders are pretty amazing.
Rebecca and the team around her (Steve and Kathleen Mammolito, and John Taylor) are doing great work. It’s real ministry (meaning service). The energy and creativity and love and faith that they bring (and give) to the kids is exactly the kind of thing Jesus calls us to. They’re making a real difference in the lives – and faith – of these kids who have come into our orbit.
I’ll tell you all what I texted to them afterwards:
I think Jesus smiles at our youth group.
As the pastor of Central Baptist, I am proud of what’s happening at Central Youth – and I just wanted to share it with you all. As a church, I think we should be proud of it too, and celebrate – and support it – how and when we can. “How?”, I think I heard you asking…
Give a youth leader a high five or an encouraging text or a cup of coffee (they need it). Offer to make a dessert. Maybe even be a youth leader. Most importantly: