2 Corinthians 12:9 and Youth

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness," Jesus said to Paul three times in 2 Corinthians 12:9.
"'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the Lord Almighty," Zechariah recorded message for Zerubbabel states in Zechariah 4:6.

It's not because of brilliant leadership, or fine-tuned systems and strategies, or engaging activities and messages. Those can be helpful, but it's because of God's Spirit meeting with us; it's because of a personal encounter with the risen Jesus; it's because of God being made real. That's when people come alive in their spiritual walk with God.

That's what's been happening in the youth group at Chauvin Gospel Centre in the past month. The youth have been growing in leaps and bounds in spiritual interest and initiation. They have opened up in conversation with each other about God. They have prayed with and for each other of their own accord. They have tried to convert Siri to Christianity. This is definitely not something that I, in my weakness in some areas of youth ministry, have been able to manufacture. The community between them has taken a leap forward in the building stages because they've been drawing closer to God and their conversation can stem from that.

I took a group of Sr. High youth down to Briercrest College and Seminary over the Valentine's Day weekend for YouthQuake (YQ). God began to do some amazing things in them at that retreat, opening them up to His love, giving them vision in purpose to work for Him and beginning conversations on all different spiritual topics. As a leader, I was ecstatic coming back from that weekend having seen them coming alive, meeting with Jesus and having been used by God to speak into their lives.

A week later, we held our first February Fiesta, a fundraiser for the youth retreats. I made sure that the youth took key leadership roles in this event so as to take ownership and so the church and community could see and hear from them. The church was packed as the youth were the MCs, lead activities and spoke about what God has been teaching them and especially how He met with them at YQ. I was bursting with pride for them, feeling some of the love that God has for them. The youth took part in the dessert auction (led by a real auctioneer - urban Ontarians: it's intense!) and I heard and passed on much encouragement from the church about the youth and how God is evident in them.

The teens in CGC's youth group tell me how much they enjoy playing Bible roulette (seeing what God has for them as they randomly open the Bible and read the first passage they come across). They're hearing from God. They're encouraging and challenging one another. They're asking how to be God's light in their schools. It warms my heart to see God at work in their lives and their embrace of Him!

It's not because of anything I've done that this month has seen such growth. Leaders only create opportunities to meet with God. It's their willingness to step into those moments with an open heart. It's the Holy Spirit speaking to them and through them.

It's all because of God. To Him be the glory forever and ever!