It’s been a week since we completed leading a youth group missions trip in West Virginia.
I’m still reflecting on what the Lord did in that group.
We had two groups join us for a week of ministry in the mountains of West Virginia.
They had the usual VBS, nursing home visits, prayer walks, door-to-door and construction.
Many in the group were in Jr. High and it was their first mission tri
p experience.
The week of ministry went well.
Everyone got along well and we were able to see God working in a number of the kids lives.
Then Thursday night came.
I had not quite experienced something like it in 20 years of youth ministry.
The ministry was over and I was leading the final debrief and many of the kids shared how they saw God work.
We then went into a time of worship with music and the kids started doing business with God.
After a few songs I closed the night up with prayer.
After praying, I noticed a few kids still in prayer.
I encouraged those who needed to stay to keep praying and dismissed the rest.
No one moved.
I stood there for about 15-20 seconds in total silence and then invited our worship leader back up.
She continued to play for another half-hour as kids prayed with one ano
ther, cried, fell on the
ir faces, sat arm in arm in worshipping our Lord.
It was amazing!
Praise God for the work He is doing in these kids lives.
I’ve always loved taking kids on mission trips for this very reason.
We get them out of their normal life and give them an opportunity to hear from God as they minister for Him.
It’s life changing.
But then it’s so easy for these kids to fall back right where they were before they came.
Some will do that, but some will never go back.
They will become radical disciples of Jesus Christ.
That’s really cool to read.