Offering the Gospel to This Generation

Are high school students interested in the Gospel? They may not think they are, but underneath the outward façade when compelled to consider, the answer is YES!  After spending a week, as an adult guests, in the highly charged atmosphere of a Young Life camp in the mountains of Colorado – we saw firsthand the hard fought ground leaders had plowed for a year before bringing their group of kids to camp yield a positive response to the claims of Christ.

Arriving on 7 different busses 450 high school students from 4 different states were saturated for a week in an atmosphere of fun, acceptance, laughter, being lead, music, lively and challenging activities, seeing the Presence of Christ through their leaders and other adults. This makes for the perfect partnership with prayer for the Holy Spirit to draw kids to Christ.

Observations from this wild, informing week indicate that clean humor and incredible skits release laughter, create safety and open kids up. Lots of competition within the games they play breaks down barriers and helps build friendships across diversity. Climbing a 10,000 ft. mountain promotes confidence and a sense of bonding.

Is Jesus relevant? YES!  Cardboard testimonies gave some of the leaders a chance to tell just how relevant He is in their own personal struggles.

It works to have other high school kids presenting Jesus to their generation that desperately need Him. The struggles of life are hitting younger and younger ages. Brokenness, abuse, no nurturing alternate lifestyles have an impact and desperation results.

The founder of Young Life emphasized it is a “sin” to bore kids with the Gospel. If they are not bored, if someone is listening to them, if what they see in other’s lives is real, if they are exposed to honest truth unadulterated, if the Spirit of God is working in their hearts and if they are invited – they respond.

When Jesus, God incarnate (John 1:14) was on earth the conversations recorded in the New Testament with individuals revealed “I am the way and the truth and the life; No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. (John1:10-12) He is the ONLY one who can mend the broken pieces and He is longing to do just that.

We were all told to find a quiet spot, no talking; use this time 15 minutes to “be with God”.  If we wanted we could use the guided bible study material handed out as we walked out the door. Following that everyone reentered the Club Space and watched this video. At the end all the kids who received Christ or rededicated their life to Christ were told to remain standing. One by one each one told their name and what they had done with Jesus that week – “I invited Jesus to be my Savior”, “to take over my life”, “ finally have given up to Him” and on and on and on. Real Life.

Real Life is where it is! If you are wondering where you stand look “Watch this shocking faith video; 4 minutes that will leave you speechless. By the end, your faith will be stronger that ever. Afterward, you will receive a free special resource. Watch it; Share it.”
http://www.fallingplates.com

You can’t watch this just as the 450 kids watched and not be compelled by Jesus’s invitation and His longing for us…even if you have been a Christian since early childhood. God's truth is relevant to all generations (Pslam 102:12).