Please Pray for Colonial Hills Baptist Church
Last Saturday afternoon, I was sitting at a Starbucks in a Florida hotel, working on the finishing touches of a seminar I would be helping to deliver the next morning. All of a sudden, the television news reported a bus accident in Indianapolis.
I immediately started making phone calls to my wife, Jama, and several youth pastors and pastors from some of our networks in Indianapolis. I knew some had been on camp trips, and I did not know what church was involved in the crash. Within the hour, I received word back from several of them that it was Colonial Hills.
At that point, I did not know that Chad Phelps, the youth pastor of Colonial Hills, had lost his life in the crash. I began to share with the folks at the seminar, and we began to pray for the church, their leadership, the families involved, and families of those who lost their lives.
Later on Saturday evening, I received the news that there was the possibility Chad was one of the fatalities. Early Sunday morning, I received a text from one of our network leaders that it was Chad, along with his wife, Courtney, their unborn child, and another adult from the church.
I am writing this while sitting in the Atlanta airport and my heart is heavy. Just last week, I asked my ministry partners to pray for youth workers that serve students. There is nothing more important in student ministry than a youth worker that will offer his life for this ministry. The relationships that youth workers create with students are vital. The relationship trumps any program or talk we can offer. The relationship allows us to "earn the right" to speak into students' lives. The relationships create the opportunity to help a student see "Jesus with skin on."
Saturday, we lost one of those passionate people who desired to share Jesus with students. I met Chad last September and immediately sensed his passion for God and for ministry to students.
My mind is going to the many times I pulled out of parking lots on buses, filled with students, and the sense of responsibility that brings. My eyes fill with tears as I think and pray for the students Chad served. What are they thinking right now? So again, I am asking you to pray for the wonderful men and women that are willing to offer their lives into service for Christ and for students.
As I write these thoughts, pastors, youth pastors and students from a variety of other churches and organizations have already reached out to Colonial Hills, their staff, and the students Chad and Courtney served. The body of Christ is acting like we should and I am grateful for brothers and sisters who care and support one another.
I am so thankful for my network that has walked with me through the pain I have endured, including the loss of a student in a car accident and the loss of a ministry position.
Thank you for partnering with me in support of youth workers who serve so passionately.
We need each other. We are "Better Together."