Rocky Terrain

Rocky Terrain

This past Sunday was our ‘State of the Youth’ address where we layed out the big picture and events for the calendar year of 2023. I hope and pray that for those who attended that you are encouraged and excited about this year ahead. If you were unable to attend, know that the Youth is going to be following the direction of our church. We are Glorifying, Going, and Gathering. There were lots of great questions at the State of the Youth, but one in particular that has stuck in my mind. “What is the greatest obstacle in youth ministry?” 

This is not a new question, but is one that I and many others consider often. As I consider it, there is no one glaring thing that truly rises above the rest. Perhaps the issue is not that there is one obstacle, like a mountain to overcome, but rather that it is rocky terrain that must be traversed with caution and care.

Of course, we could all name off any number of obstacles, in ministry in general, and for the youth specifically. Of course we know that there is the world, the flesh, and the devil that wage war against the souls of men. Time, and space on this page, would run out to even begin to discuss discipleship within the home, the culture we find ourselves in, the impact of technology, the business of school and extracurricular activities, and so on. 

Seeing it this way does not seem to make the task easier. It may even seem a bit more difficult. Where do we begin? What do we tackle first? We begin with prayer. We acknowledge the difficulties that come with trying to shepherd the hearts of children and beseech our great and mighty God for His assistance. With prayer as a constant rhyme and rhythm of our lives, we teach the Word of God. As parents bring their children up in the fear and instruction of the Lord certain obstacles are overcome and might even disappear. As others arise, we take them in stride, relying on the Lord, and receive the help that the Lord gives us in our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Please keep the students in your prayers. Pray for those who are following Christ to grow in His likeness and for the others eyes to be opened. Pray for the parents of our students. It is a great responsibility to shepherd the hearts of children in the home. Pray for me as I strive to come alongside the students and their parents to tell them more about Christ.

Grace and Peace be with you, 
C. R. Hamilton