Next Generation Celebration

  

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

Disclaimer: Today’s blog post is brought to you by one extremely proud pastor’s wife so there will be lots of exclamation points.

 How exciting was it to celebrate NextGen Sunday?! (For those of you in my crowd – the 30somethings and up –  NextGen means “Next Generation.”)

When I first stepped foot through the doors of Freedom Christian (then Warren Assembly of God) in 1991, I was very young. My youth played out before the entire church as I dated the pastor’s son.  I eventually married him – I was still pretty young then, I might add. We entered youth ministry when we were fairly young, as well. When we accepted the lead pastorate here at Freedom, we were considered relatively young, by church leadership standards.

You probably noticed the theme in that last paragraph: Young. What I’ve always loved about Freedom Christian, from my earliest memories of it, was that I never once felt “looked down on” because I was young. Our church has consistently embraced the children, teens and young adults of our church – not as the “Church of tomorrow,” but as the Church. Today. Period.

Aaron and I strive to continue to foster that atmosphere by empowering young leaders and providing important places for them to serve and minister without requiring hurdles and hoops to jump over and through before they “attain the elusive goal of maturity and theological prowess required to serve.”

Adults of Freedom Christian, hats off to you for valuing the importance of young people by allowing them to do important things! You’re nailing that first part of 1 Timothy 4:12 – you’re not looking down on the youth of our church simply because they haven’t lived as long as us!

But equally as important, to the younger crowd (Glo Kids, Remix Youth Ministries, The U): You are nailing the second part of the verse. You’re setting an example in your speech, conduct, love, faith and purity. That was obvious on Sunday.

All youth and young adult-led worship! The choir number that included Glo Kids and Remix Youth! The Glo University Team which included the BGMC Leadership and Worship Teams! (Which is made up of elementary school kids, you guys! They take time out of their schedules and commit to leading these teams with excellence!) Remix University – you’re using your gifts and talents to further the Kingdom of God! And the young adults that are part of The U are integrally involved in ministry leadership positions all throughout Freedom! (Exclamation points!!!!)

What really struck me was the Remix Class of 2016 – wow! Yes, scholastic accolades were a part of the day, but each person is clearly making a difference in the Kingdom of God, in the lives of Pastor Tyler and Nicole – and everyone you encounter! You’ve lived out your youth as shining examples of what God is doing in and through you. The way you’re walking your faith is making it impossible for anyone to look down on you because you’re young!

Finally, I know I speak on behalf of the pastoral leadership of Freedom (myself and Pastor Aaron, Pastor Travis and Anna Buerky, Pastor Larry and Jenny Clair, Pastor Chris and Jenelle Kelly, Pastor Tyler and Nicole Ryals and Pastor Cal and Denise Szalach) when I say, we cheer on the children, teens and young adults and we need you to partner alongside of the older generations to do the work of The Church!

And I trust that the people of Freedom Christian – young, old and everyone in between – will continue to live out 1 Timothy 4:12 – each and every word.

Written by: Jaime Hlavin

Edited by: Jenelle Kelly