In my early years of ministry, I took 1 Timothy 4:12 as a verse written to me, “Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.”  I’m now 53 years old so I no longer qualify as young.  I’m not yet willing to accept the title “old, and “middle-aged” never sounded appealing to me either.  Let’s just say that though it is still one of my favorite verses, 1 Timothy 4:12 no longer speaks as personally to me as it used to.  

So now I apply this verse to others, and I’ve had an incredible opportunity to see some young believers live out this verse this week.  Our teens, or so it seems, are practically running our Vacation Bible School, while our staff has been able to step back and watch them operate with excellence and enthusiasm.  For two weeks, a seemingly endless supply of teens have spent hours at the church moving tables and chairs, painting signs and logos, making copies of materials, and decorating the worship center and rooms.  Teens and young adults like Amanda, Meredith, Jason, Angie, Matt, Marissa, Jamie, Kammi, Kenny, and dozens of others worked hard (while having fun) and they did an excellent job.

Now that VBS has started, I’ve noticed that our worship leader (Mary Kaye Wonner) stays off of the stage and allows the teens to sing and dance (memo to my more conservative friends–replace “dance” with the words “do choreography”), and the children have loved it.  Matt, Robbie, Angie, Kenny, Marissa, Dakota, and others are exciting the kids and leading them in incredible worship.

In tonight’s drama, I take a minor role while the teens take over the stage.  I’m more of a prop; they’re the actors, and even their practice this morning made me cry.  I’m playing the part of a bitter, tough, and crabby New York City cabdriver, but it’s hard to play that part with tears in your eyes.  Before we began the week, I was a little worried because I was working with some “rookies” on the drama team, but Cassidy, Maria, Jayson, and Kammi are clearly communicating the gospel message effectively, with only a little bit of help from us old-timers.

And these teens are more than just workers.  They are disciples.  They pray for their friends and invite them to church.  They attend classes and are learning the Bible.  They are living for Christ and talking about Jesus in some of the toughest venues in America–Junior High, High School, and College campuses.

Quite frankly, FSBCA couldn’t put on our excellent VBS without teens.  They are an indispensable part of our ministry, and they give me a great hope for the future of the Church.