Two weeks ago this message appeared on our Facebook page.
"Great to see you both on Facebook. It has been a long time. Thank you for ministering to me as a not all together teenager. You made a big impact on me whether you knew it or not. God has blessed me with a godly wife of 22 years and four God-loving children. Wow, where has time gone! Thanks again for being faithful."–Todd
It was one of those messages that every youth worker is thrilled to receive. The message came from Todd Taylor, who was led to Christ by a fellow youth worker in our ministry during the mid 1980s.
As I think back to those days when Todd would have been in our ministry, I realize that my wife, Donna, and my greatest contribution in his life was "being there."We were there on long trips to retreats and conferences. I was there when Todd needed a ride home after a meeting. We were there when kids wanted to hang out at our home. I was there several times when Todd needed an older man to talk about life.
This month, as we prepare for the upcoming school year, Todd's message reinforces a conviction about the importance of just "being there" for our young people. Todd's life is blessed today because there were youth workers and caring adults who shared the gospel with him as a teenager and helped him live it out
Today's generation of youth have great hearts, but for the most part, are disconnected from people and environments where the gospel is shared and lived out. They need people who are intentional about "being there."
Summer can be a really hectic time for youth ministry. It can mean long days and long nights at camp. It can mean putting up with some crazy antics at gatherings. It will mean being available for some very meaningful conversations. There will be those times when we wonder "What am I doing? Is this all really worth it?"
Let me remind each of us with Paul's words of encouragement. "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galations 6:9. Let's keep the faith in our personal lives and in our network communities because some day we may receive an unexpected message from a former student with a godly wife and four "God loving" kids who will thank us for "being there."