YOUTHS!

It was a terrific time. Florida. And West Palm Beach, to boot! With a bunch of energetic, effervescent, ebullient college kids. What fun!

Last week was Palm Beach Atlantic (PBA) University’s Christival, where I had the delightful privilege of bringing God’s Word to these young adults in five sessions over three days.

Leading them in worship each session was a great band. Quite a change from the pipe-organ accompanied congregational singing I’ve gotten used to in Scotland. (The thumps of the bass drum and bass guitar gave my heart a good workout! I can indulgently go back to my JIF diet now!!).

That’s the band, a couple of the student leaders, and the campus pastor, Bernie (a DTS alumnus), in the picture.

It was, for me, a rare opportunity to connect with young adults both in the large gatherings and over dinner and a Q&A session with a group of guys who meet weekly at 6:00 am for a Bible Study on campus.

If you didn’t know it already, let me tell you that zeal for God, and passion for Christ, and fervency in Spirit, have not died out and will not die out with us old fuddy-duddies! A vital faith, a vigorous belief system, a conviction not lacking in verve, all centered around God and His work in His world, characterizes these youngsters. It was refreshing to hear of what our great God was doing on that campus as, I’m sure, He is in many other campuses across the country and across the world. Praise God!

For what thanks
can we render to God
for you in return
for all the joy with
which we rejoice
before our God
on your account ….
1 Thessalonians 3:9

Spare a prayer, often, for these students will you? They are the ones who will bear the burden of broadcasting the blessings of Christ and brightening a bleak world with the beacon of the Good News. It’s a tough life for these young ones on college (and high school) campuses amidst the current agnostic and antagonistic climate pervading most educational institutions, not to mention the inimical wiles of the evil one that they have to withstand.

May our great God bless their endeavors to live lives pleasing to Him.

In this you greatly rejoice,
even though now
for a little while, if necessary,
you have been distressed
by various trials,
so that the proof of your faith,
being more precious
than gold which is perishable,
even though tested by fire,
may be found to result
in praise and glory and honor
at the revelation of Jesus Christ ….
1 Peter 1:6–7

And it would be exceedingly remiss of me not to mention the self-effacing, self-denying, self-sacrificing team of men and women mentoring and guiding these students in colleges and academies like PBA and elsewhere. Three cheers for these dedicated souls—the campus pastors, faculty resource persons, administrative aides, student leaders, and others of that notable ilk, laboring hard and striving behind the scenes to point and direct many to a closer walk with God.

We give thanks to God
always for you all,
making mention of you
in our prayers;
remembering without ceasing
your work of faith,
and labour of love,
and patience of hope ….
1 Thessalonians 1:2–3

Their reward will be great.

For God is not unjust
so as to forget your work
and the love
which you have shown
toward His name,
in having ministered
and in still ministering ….
Hebrews 6:10

May there be many more of these—mentors and maturing believers, Pauls and Timothys—and may God’s blessings be richly upon them all!