It's been awhile since I updated this blog.  I think it's time to do so.  God has placed an opportunity in front of me that has me excited.

A friend of mine, Bob,  is a pastor at a church here in my hometown.  He is perhaps the most unique pastor I have ever run across.  He is breaking down the conventional and institutional way of doing things in his church.  This church is truly reaching out to the local community and showing every one they possibly can the love of God.  The love they show doesn't come with an invitation to their church.  It doesn't happen because they hope to increase their numbers on Sunday morning.  They simply want to show Christ to those around them.

Recently the youth minister at this church had to step down for personal reasons and my friend wasn't sure where he would find someone to step in considering it is an unpaid position.  He mentioned the situation to me one day just because it was of concern to him.

He thought he was simply mentioning a prayer request to a friend.  That's not what Father had in mind though.  Father immediately tweaked something in my spirit.  I found myself saying I would love to do that.  I would love to fill that position.  Of course I also quickly decided that I wouldn't be able to fill that position.  After all I work second shift at a factory.  I wouldn't have Wednesday nights free to have a youth service.  So, I shot off a quick email a couple of days later and told my friend that if it wasn't for the fact my schedule wouldn't work for him I would love to help.

I should have known that Father didn't put that spark in my spirit for no reason.  Bob emailed me back and told me that if I was truly interested that my schedule wasn't actually a conflict at all.  It seems the youth meet on Sundays and he would really like me to take the position.  I was in shock.  I was humbled.  I didn't feel worthy.  However, I did feel very strongly this is where Father wants me to be. 

So, I asked a lot of questions.  I asked him if it would be a problem that I'm not exactly your normal churchgoer.  I asked if the church could live with a youth leader that defied convention.  I asked if the church could handle a youth leader that didn't teach that the institution and support for all it's various programs were a requirement for them to be a Christian.  Much to my delight he told me they are looking for exactly that.  He said they want someone who will love these youth and disciple them.  It is their desire that these kids not get locked into an institution.  They want to see them become followers of Christ and take the Gospel to their friends and family.  I told him to let me pray about it and make sure what I was feeling was not just me and my desires.  It didn't take long.  I let him know within a couple of days that I wanted to take the position.

Yesterday was my first day as a youth leader (never thought I would say that) and things went great.  I was nervous, but Father was there with me.  I was even very surprised to have one of the youth come to me on my first day with a problem.  I talked to them and received a thank you and a hug for my efforts.  They even told me that I helped them.  I talked to Bob this morning and he said several of the youth told him that they really like me, and many of the people in the church said the same thing.

I am in awe of God today.  He truly works in mysterious ways.  I ask for your prayers as I walk this brand new portion of my journey.  Pray that I can point these kids towards Christ and that they in turn will take him to those around them.