LESSON FOUR: STUDENTS ARE POWERFUL
“Students are the church of tomorrow.” I hear this line all the time but is it true? Are they the church of tomorrow?
A few years ago, you may have heard me make this statement, but now I embrace a different belief about students. Students are the church of now. Not only is this true, but the Church desperately needs students right now for their unique insights, passion and ways of approaching the world.
In addition, research and experience have shown that students who are entrusted with the mission of the Church now are far more likely to stick with following Jesus in life beyond high school. Like in sports, if we keep them on the sidelines, they’ll likely lose interest and quit. But, if we dare put them on the field, there is a chance that their insights and passions might just change the game. The truth is: the Church needs what they bring–not tomorrow, but right now.
A few weeks ago, I co-lead a team of high school students on a serving trip to a CURE International hospital in Blantyre, Malawi. While we were there, our students helped uncover a new approach for the hospital staff. You see, the hospital staff was completely focused on the children under their care, and for good reason. They were healing children physically and doing their best to impact them spiritually. Our students, many of whom have years of experience leading small groups of 2nd or 4th graders jumped right in, helping to lead a VBS, and just loving on kids like pros. But, they took it one step further, they invited all the mothers and guardians who were there with their children to participate. They pulled them into the crafts, gave them toys and prizes, painted their nails, and encouraged them.
At first the hospital staff resisted and requested that our students focus on the children exclusively but our students insisted. Our teenagers intuitively understood the value of a family based ministry model, even if it meant accidentally giving the Muslim family a beanie baby pig. Oops.
It was incredibly moving for me to watch the transformation that took place in the hospital ward over the course of the week. All these children and women were terrified. Many of them assume that this is the last stop for their children. The traditional remedies didn’t work, the village holy man couldn’t heal their son. This is a last ditch effort. There were very few smiles and the level of anxiety was palpable.
Over the course of the week, purely through expressions of love and generosity, the atmosphere transformed. There was dancing, laughing, hugging and play. In the end, a few members of the hospital staff pulled us aside to share how thankful they were that our students had revealed the importance of loving and serving the mothers as well as the children. This wasn’t something we planned to do. It wasn’t part of the ministry strategy. It was simply something our students observed and acted on.
It was beautiful. I was so proud of our kids and it reminded me of how valuable our students are, not 10 years from now but right now. Put them on the field. Let them into the game. It’s the best thing for them and for the church. We need their fresh approach, passion and ingenuity.
