Jump

There are those moments that define you.  Those moments where you realize what God has been doing in your life and yet you didn’t understand it, until now. Anybody who has been in ministry looks for those moments.  Those moments encourage us when it gets tough.  Those moments remind us why we do what we do.  Those moments are given to us by God because He knows we needed to hear it at that moment.

Had a newer student post on their blog one of those moments for them.  First let me say, I love to see students blogging and sharing their lives as an online author.  Second, for a student to put anything like this out publicly shows me that God is doing something incredible in their life.

Name: Betsey Suchanic

School: Garnet Valley High School

Blog: Tall Buildings and Tiny Epidemics

 

 

Tonight I jumped. I literally jumped. My life changed tonight.

I got my first boyfriend.

That was wonderful. =D But my life changed in a whole different way too.

After my dad died, I lost faith in God. It wasn’t intentional. It wasn’t like one day I just decided that I didn’t believe anymore. I couldn’t understand why my dad had to be taken away. Over a couple of months it just faded away. I still believed, but not with my whole heart. I really wanted too. I just couldn’t.

Tonight that changed.

I finally understand. Between the stuff we discussed in our life groups and the video we watched after. I just understand. I can’t give a real explanation for why I understand. But I do. I’m so happy I do. I’m so grateful for being able to go to this church.

So tonight I jumped. I literally jumped. My life changed tonight.

(I cannot believe I’m actually posting this.)

 

I love the defining moments in a teenagers life.  What have been some of your defining moments?  What has been that moment that keeps you going and reminds you why you do what you do when it gets tough?

GVHS Band Night

For the first time since I have been here we opened up our doors to teenagers and let them own the night.  Three bands from Garnet Valley High School showed up on Thursday to set up and check out the “church” they had to play in.  As each one walked in they were blown away by the environment.  They had never played in something so nice and apparently they play a lot of shows.

The best part was Friday night as teenagers who had never stepped foot on our property other to park and run to class walked in and their faces lit up.  They were amazed, shocked, some said it was better than battle of the bands that the school puts on.  Kids were pulling out thier phones and taking pictures of everything.

I had a chance to talk to several of the students, they asked what we did, I never pushed it.  Parents asked when we met, we never pushed it.  Overall they wanted to know how and what we did, without us pushing our agenda.  We simply opened up the door to the community and embraced them, engaged their culture and built bridges.  I do believe that this approach will not immediately get them involved but the more we do this the better it will become and the more interested they will be.

The band was shocked that they walked out with 100% of the profits from the night, if that won’t bring them back what will?  We had a few technical difficulties, we need another amp to power all of their equipment and somebody on Sunday told me they wanted to pay for half the amp.  Can’t tell you how excited I am to see this avenue beginning to open up and seeing adults on board and excited about it.

Thanks to all my youth staff and church staff who showed up and helped make that night those bands wont forget soon.