From The Editor: God Uses the Details
Youth councils is such a special event. Corps cadets, teens, and young adults from all over the divisions have this one weekend to gather, see friends they may only see once or twice a year, grow deeper in their relationship with God, and discover more of who they are spiritually — all while (of course) having a blast.
During my years working in the Texas divisional youth department, I had the privilege of helping plan and run four youth councils. We did it all – a mud run, a big-name music concert, a film screening at a movie theater, a day at Six Flags — you name it, we made it happen!
Often in brainstorming and planning, I would find myself getting lost in the details. How many chairs did we need in the breakout rooms? What time did they need to be set up? Who was assigned to put out the chairs in the arrangement of our choice? And on, and on, and on. My briefs were incredibly detailed, down to the boxes of pencils and worksheets.
During the weekend itself, I found myself in the sound booth making sure all the production elements for group sessions ran smoothly. The lights were programmed, the slides were beautifully designed and organized, the sound checks had all been done. Many times, we were so tightly scheduled we wouldn’t have a minute to get to the dining hall for meals, instead sending someone for to-go boxes that we would nibble on between services.
It was so busy. I was so busy. And I was usually pretty pleased with how well things turned out.
But then there would be an altar call Saturday night or Sunday morning. It was a crafted moment of time and space meant to provide an opportunity for the delegates to meet God. And in those times, I stopped. I saw why I labored for months over the smallest details. Because all those tiny things led up to this moment where young people knelt before their Creator, making commitments, growing in their relationship with Christ, discovering how to live and who they were created to be.
Events like this can be pivotal in the lives of our young people. This is where they meet Jesus. This is where they feel a sense of belonging. This is where some of them discover a calling for service or ministry. This is where they become leaders.
At the end of every youth councils Sunday service, the divisional youth secretary would tell the delegates, “Don’t let what’s happening end here. Take everything you’ve learned, everything you’ve experienced back to your corps and your schools. Bring it home to your families.” The fact that this “mountaintop experience” is just a beginning is always acknowledged. Further discipling will have to take place through corps officers, corps cadet leaders, and mentors, but this was a great start.
What a privilege to be a part of something so beautiful! To watch our youth grow into young adults ready to make an impact on the world. To see them become leaders in their corps, in their schools, and in their communities. And I got to play a tiny role in their incredible lives through spreadsheets and graphic design. God can and will use every skill and talent we are willing to offer to further His Kingdom. Hallelujah and Amen!