As I look back to my youth pastor’s days, I have a lot of fond memories. I remember how amazed I was that I would get paid for playing basketball and just hanging out with the kids. I guess all the times that I paid for their meals it all balanced out 🙂
This morning I had breakfast with an old youth group member who came back to Chicago with his family. It was a good time of reconnecting and just hearing some of the things that God was doing in his life.
It is a great joy to see your former members still loving and serving the Lord. The causalities in the youth ministry are enormous – there are many who are no longer going to church. I am just praying that many of the college students who have graduated already will continue to serve the Lord wherever they may be around the world.
This made me appreciate how God places certain people in our lives at certain junctures in our spiritual journey. I look back to all the people who have influenced me over the years to make me who I am right now. At every stage of our lives, God sends the appropriate people to minister to us.
I am thankful for all my influences in my life – in youth group, college and even now with various mentors. God truly knows what we need and when we need it.