"Keeping the Flame Alive"

We had yet another missions meeting over the weekend. Our topic Saturday night was "Keeping the Flame Alive." As teammates, our goal after the trip part of this journey was over is to get the church to move towards the direction of missions and service in our community and around the world. I think it is our responsibility as short term missionaries to create a fire that spreads to the rest of the congregation. We need to be motivated to love one another, and I have really taken this message to heart coming back from El Salvador.

My mission field right now is all around me. That's the truth for everyone. But I especially want to focus on the teens in my youth group. I've noticed a pattern. It isn't anyone's fault, but it should and can be stopped. The seniors graduate, the juniors step up, but there really aren't any true leaders. I don't know why the teens here don't understand what it means to be a true follower of Christ, or if they do aren't sure enough in their faith to show it until it's time for them to graduate.

We need to bring up senior leaders to lead the juniors so when the seniors lead they can take over. We need to bring up high schoolers who know what they say they believe to show the middle schoolers that Christianity and having a relationship with God is actually pretty legit.

If we can better understand sooner what it means to be an "on fire for Christ Christian" nothing can stop us.

I hope everyone has the opportunity someday to partake in a short term mission trip. The stories you hear and all the experiences you receive can never compare to someone telling you that this is this way and that is that way. If I blabber on too much about how it was like in El Salvador, shut me up! Because I don't think story after story about how these people are "more on fire" than we are is going to help anyone. As a church we need to be on fire in our own way, and I believe we can do it.

So the first step is to step outside your comfort zone. How many times can I talk about it? No one likes to do this. Obviously. I mean, we don't call it stepping outside of your comfort zone for no reason. By doing this, however, God will use you in ways you never could imagine, and you will grow in confidence as a Child of the One True King.

Get involved!!! I can not tell you how tired I am of hearing people talk about how they're being ignored and left out when all they do is sit on the sidelines. Make this your church home. Have a good time. Why does it matter if you make a fool of yourself? If it's for God, it's good.

Be the hands and feet of Jesus. There are so many opportunities to get involved in our community. Everyone is busy, but guess what? Summer vacation is practically here! And that means you have an extra six hours in your day plus homework time that you don't usually have. Do something productive and get creative.

I really hope I can be the leader in my youth group God wants me to be in these last few months before I'm "out." And I know we're going to have great leaders next year, but I think it's time to pick up the pace. Live a God-filled life. You won't regret it, I promise.