The Harvest
Matthew 18:20 (KJV) 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
This past Sunday, I was humbled to be a part of the best evening service I have ever been in. At thirty-one I have been to my share of church services, but this one was different. The Holy Spirit filled the service from the moment it began until well after it ended.
I’m a baptismal worker and I was blessed to assist thirteen ladies and children as they prepared for baptism. I have never seen anything like it. Teenage boys and little children lined the hallway leading to the men’s baptistery; awaiting the baptismal service to start. Twenty-nine people were baptized and nearly all of them were under the age of twenty. It was absolutely the most amazing experience of my life.
The church service was filled with teenagers who gave their testimonies on how Jesus Christ had changed their lives. I watched as these teenagers cried and confessed how broken they were and how Christ made them whole again. I just sat and cried. When these kids left for youth camp the week before they expected a fun time, and the same as usual type of experience; on fire for a moment and that back to their old lives the moment they stepped foot off the bus. What they didn’t expect was to meet Jesus Christ, many for the very first time.
As I listened to the various testimonies, I was awestruck. Like me, a lot of these teens had grown up in church and made professions of faith as young children. However, they expressed something that I think many in churches today don’t like to discuss. There is a difference between believing in Jesus and believing on Jesus. You cannot be a true Christian and not have a relationship with Jesus Christ.
I am amazed at what God is doing in my church. He has ignited a flame unlike that I have ever seen. He pulled together a group of teenagers, most who might have never spoken to each other and made them brothers and sisters, gave them the opportunity to show His love to one another.
As the service drew to a close, one of the teens who had attended camp came forward and accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior. It was the perfect end to a part of a journey that is just beginning.
As I reflect over the joyous events of the evening I am reminded of Luke 10:2 (KJV) Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
Our church had been praying for a new youth minister for the past few months. God allowed church members and deacons and their wives to step up and minister to our youth. I believe God sent these workers into such a great and plenteous harvest, a harvest that resulted in many more labourers for Christ.
I am humbled and blown away at what my God is doing. A revival can start anywhere, and this one started within the hearts of a group of broken and empty teenagers and only God knows where this fire will spread!
Come back next week as we discover more Biblical truths that will help us on our life’s journey!
LC Green