too dynamic to be safe

The newest news: YoungLife.
For those who haven't heard of this ministry before, YoungLife's purpose is to reach out to kids of all ages with the gospel, but YL here in Jarabcoa is focusing primarily on the 6-8 grade range (called WyldLife) and the 9-12 graders (calle YoungLife). I learned today that YL also has the same youth-group type ministry for disabled children, called Capernaum, and for pregnant teen moms, called YoungLives, as well as for kids on college campuses (which is a bit newer).  YL leaders strive to provide its kids with an exceptional experience every time they gather for "club" (think youth group meeting) or an "event" (think photo scavenger hunt or movie night).

Needless to say, the goal of YL is simple: to reach kids with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
How?
By befriending them.
By meeting them on their turf, where they're at.
By being Christ's love to them....
.....without exception or strings attached.

YL asks for a two year commitment from its leaders, and requires that all of their leaders have growing personal relationships with Christ. It asks leaders to focus on the "we" of the gospel, and not the "you". It's not "you" need Jesus because "you" are a sinner. On the contrary, "we" all need Jesus, and I'm so excited to tell you what He's done for "us"...

As I was reminded today, having to give and pour out for and into others when you are empty is...impossible. So whether I am filled with the joy of the Lord and in a lush, tropical place spiritually speaking, or in a desert where there is no water, I need to rely on the Lord to fill me with His love for these kids. I need humility to remember that it's not about how funny I am or how ridiculous I can be when pretending I'm a ghetto fabulous rapstar.
It's about doing these things to ULTIMATELY exemplify God's love to these kids, and sharing His truth with them each time we gather. It's about glorifying our Father and joining Him in His work to change hearts and transform lives.

That said, please pray for me as I finish leadership training next weekend and decide whether to do Young or WyldLife. I'll be sure to update which it is once I've made a decision. I really want it to be lead by God, not by my own comfort (which is why I want to choose WyldLife, but at the same time feel like the challenge of YoungLife might be where I should go....ahhh, decisions, decisions).
So please pray!


Lesson of the week:
This is the dogma we find so dull—this terrifying drama of which God is the victim and the hero. If this is dull, then what, in Heaven's name, is worthy to be called exciting? The people who hanged Christ never, to do them justice, accused him of being a bore—on the contrary, they thought him too dynamic to be safe.
-Dorothy Sayers

http://www.younglife.org/