"He is Risen!"
"He is risen indeed!"
The call-and-response tradition of Easter holds profound significance for those familiar with church rituals. While it may seem peculiar to newcomers, it serves as a poignant reminder of Easter's central theme: the gospel narrative of our resurrected King.
Unveiling Hope: Understanding the Power of Jesus' Resurrection
While the Apostle Paul speaks directly to the resurrection of Jesus multiple times, what he says in 1 Corinthians 15 is so important:
"And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that He raised Christ from the dead. [...] And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins." 1 Cor. 15:14-15, 17 NIV
Praise be to God that Christ did rise from the dead! Let us rejoice that His resurrection triumphed over death on our behalf! Because He has risen, we are freed from the grip of fear that death once held over us.
"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? [...] Thanks be to God! He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. 15:55, 57 NIV
Encouraging Followership: Sharing the Transformative Gospel Story With Youth
While my desire is for everyone to know the story of Jesus' resurrection, my heart is particularly drawn to the next generation. Serving with young people fuels my passion, and I'm grateful to work with like-minded individuals in youth ministry.
That is why I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve with an organization that unites and empowers youth leaders under the banner of healthy ministry with the next generation.
NNYM's vision is to see every youth leader thrive in deeper connection with God and each other so that every young person is changed by the story of Jesus.
We create collaborative spaces for youth leaders to be personally encouraged, professionally equipped, and spiritually strengthened for faithful and effective ministry with the next generation.
By fostering connections among youth leaders and providing resources for effective ministry, we aim to see a generation passionately following Christ.
I invite you to pray with me for every volunteer, para-church worker and youth pastor in our network. May we be truly united as we reach the next generation for the risen Savior!
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Steve Cullum is the Colorado State Coordinator for NNYM. He has been serving in student ministry since 1999. Steve blogs about ministry and hosts the Student Ministry Connection podcast. He also enjoys playing Nintendo, being outdoors, and watching movies.