For 18 days, the world held its breath.
The rescue effort mounted to save 12 members of the Wild Boars soccer club and their 25-year-old coach from a water-filled cave captured the attention of people around the world.
Celebrations were global on July 10 when it was broadcast that the third and final group of stranded Thai athletes were freed and taken to the hospital to recover.
As only a crisis like this can, everyone watched, prayed, hoped, and waited for the divers to lead the team through the treachorous conditions along a 2.5-mile crawl/swim route out of the Tham Luang Nang Noncave system.
Like you, I was one of those who prayed. The world needs good news. For once, we got it!
But the Thailand rescue effort offers a compelling parallel to what is needed to rescue this generation of young people, spiritually, in our own country. Here are a few observations.
The Situation is Urgent
Oxygen running low. Monsoon rains threatening to fill the caves. Bacterial infections and days without food. There were many reasons to make haste to bring the boys out as soon as possible. The clock was ticking.
To underscore this, ABC News revealed that just hours after the last member of the team was evacuated, "crews had to quickly evacuate the Tham Luang Nang Non cave as the first chamber refilled with water." Close call!
Likewise, there are myriad issues that make it vital for the church to increase its efforts to reach "Generation Z" - which includes those currently in middle and high schools. Researchers at the Barna Group report they are less attached to the church and God than any generation before them. The battle for their minds, hearts and souls is fierce.
Most youth leaders believe that 85% of those who make a decision to follow Christ do so before they are 18. Once teens leave high school, the probability of reaching them with the gospel plummets. The clock is ticking.
Cooperation and "All Hands on Deck"
In Thailand, some of the most skilled divers in the world, from many countries, were on scene. They gave their time and effort to collaborate, think through options, weigh them and work as a team to perform the rescue.
But one of the most astounding observations at the base camp outside the cave entrance was how many others were there: not just the media, but thousandsof people supplying all the support that was needed to help the divers and doctors in the cave perform as efficiently as possible. A CBS TV reporter walked through the camp, showing supply tents, food workers, medical facilities, even massage therapists who helped make the rescue happen. The best people, the best technology, and so many of them. Many skills were represented!
Likewise, reaching this generation of youth must have the support of more than just paid youth leaders. The current ratio of paid youth workers in our country to the youth they are trying to minister to is 1:427. That's 427 kids for every adult leader. Overwhelming!
No surprise that Jesus knew this when He said, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send more workers into the harvest field." (Matthew 9:37)
NNYM repeats this again and again: we need everyone with a heart to reach this generation to dive into the harvest. Pray. Give. Serve. Build relationships. Your time, talent and treasure are needed, and so many skills are important in those who serve alongside "the pros." Are you thnking that your contribution is trivial? That doesn't come from God, friend.
And our efforts have to be coordinated. A healthy network is needed in every community to adopt every school, so every teenager can hear the good news. The New Testament repeats the call for biblical unity over and over and over again.
It's a War. There is a Cost.
Officials will tally up the expenses of the rescue effort in Chiang Rai. Millions. But the saddest cost of the otherwise joyful story was the sacrifice of retired Thai Navy SEAL Samarn Kunan, who died in the act of bringing air tanks to the cave. He was a hero who gave himself willingly. And many others selflessly turned up to help, knowing this was a war against time and the elements. They could die trying. But they had to try anyway.
Likewise, youth leaders come alongside students and their families and serve in the spiritual war for this generation. They usually aren't paid enough, and many work for free. They often are on call 24/7.
Sadly, there are also casualties in the youth ministry world. Read my prayer letter from last month for an idea of the pressures of youth work and how it takes its toll. Spouses and children of youth leaders pay a price too. It has to be noted here: know that your prayers make a difference.
As 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 reminds us, we are in a battle. Combat has casualties. War is expensive. But it's a cost that has to be paid.
Tears of Joy!
What a party erupted across Thailand, then around the world, as the last soccer player was carried out! Rescue brings jubilation. People wept and thanked God. We could finally take a breath, and then we all shouted for joy.
Likewise, we know so well what Jesus said in Luke 15:7: "I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous persons who do not need to repent."
I'm almost certain that if you read this, you already know the joy of being rescued from sin. Let's extend that opportunity to every teenager in America!