15 Things I've Learned in 15 Years of Ministry: Part 3, Looking Outward

Tools in the hands of God’s people go a long way.

The greatest joy I have found in my work with CEF is not what I would have expected it to be when I started. I started this work with the desire to see children hear the Gospel and be changed. While I do still love that work dearly, I have discovered a greater joy in the form of teacher training. When we are faithful, God promises to multiply our work, even 100 fold. One of the ways I have seen him do that is by putting teaching tools in the hands of his people, teaching them how to use them efficiently, and then watching them go out into the fields to confidently harvest. The fruit isn’t the only thing I love to see, but also the joy on the face of volunteers when they are confident in doing God’s work. I pray constantly for all those who have been equipped by CEF, that they would take that joy and confidence in sharing the Gospel out into the world wherever they go.  

Don’t underestimate youth.

I was recently reading in my yearly Bible plan the story of King Josiah. He became king of Judah at the age of eight, and scripture tells us that at the age of sixteen he began to seek the Lord. In the world of forever adolescence, I see so many people write off teenagers and young college students as silly, lazy, or incapable. But I have been a teenager who sought to please the Lord. I have seen so many youth with more fire and conviction for the Lord than many adults I have met. In this pandemic time we are in, I have seen young believers rise up, not just to be recognized for their skills and gifts, but with a heart to serve with those skills and gifts. Let us be careful not to underestimate young believers, the spiritual weight they can handle, and the work the Holy Spirit can lead them to right now. 

Follow the faithful people around you.

In high school I learned to cling so tightly to the beginning of Hebrews chapter 12 that I had the address inscribed on my senior ring that I still wear to this day. The writer says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.” (1-4) I love the encouragement here that we are not alone in this struggle. We can look up to Jesus. We can look back to those who came before. And we can look around us at those who are struggling right alongside us. We are not alone. When the journey seems too hard, follow those around you who are faithful.  

Community makes us stronger. 

One of the sweetest things I have gained from working with CEF are the deep friendships made along the way. When young people who want to please the Lord walk through training, sharing their faith, and facing spiritual warfare together, strong bonds result. Men and women that I met over a decade ago are still some of the first I call or text when I need prayer, advice, or a good laugh. And vice versa. We know where we’ve been. We know what we’ve each suffered. We know what we each want more than anything in the world: to please God and see others come to know him. And all of that informs our relationships. There are few things sweeter than a relationship like this. When I look at a new group of CYIA teens come together for a new summer, I pray that at least some of them will form bonds that will outlive their summer with us and carry them forward into life. Do not take for granted your relationships with Christian around you. No one can bear your burdens and guide you to the Father like a brother or sister in Christ.  

We are better together.

Something that makes CEF ministry so strong, especially in Central Alabama, is that we view the work as Kingdom work, not the work of any particular church or denomination. We are all in the same work to reach the same goal -- children coming into relationship with Jesus Christ. While we may not agree on every detail of how we live our Christian lives, we agree that we are better together. We are Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists, Independents, and so much more, but above all we are children of the most high God. We are a worldwide body and family. I pray over the work what Paul also prayed over the church in Ephesus: “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (4:1-6)

In my 15 years, I have learned many things. Most importantly, I have learned that God is willing and able to save, and that he loves the work that we are doing on behalf of his great name. I hope that you would be encouraged by these stories, and that you might seek to be part of what we are doing here at CEF of Central Alabama.