Right now our church here in Phoenix is getting ready to move from their rented space at a local high school into their own building. It's been really exciting watching the whole process unfold, and we are very sad that we won't be there to see the grand opening in May. However, we did get a taste of some of the awesome things they will be able to do there last weekend.
One of the big changes they will make is having one big youth service on Sunday nights in the main auditorium, instead of having four Sunday school classes throughout the weekend. That way we can have all of the junior and senior high school students together all at once, and focus on having one incredible service instead of stretching our resources out over four smaller services. The leadership recognized that this will be a big departure from what the church members have been used to, and so they decided to give the students and their families a preview of what the big youth service will be like.
We invited the students to show up to the church an hour early, and set out a bunch of free pizza and games to help entertain them and their guests (we had 31 new students that week!!) There was also a big white wall set up where we asked them to write down what holds them back from telling their friends about Christ. James and I helped check people in so we could keep track of how many people attended. There were SO MANY students, and it was exciting to help greet the new people and welcome them to our church.
When the service began, different youth mentors and volunteers helped lead some fun and crazy games that related in some small way to the night's message. Then our worship band rocked the house with some very loud but moving music. Because the service was held in the big auditorium the tech people got to go crazy with the different colored lights so it was quite an experience!!
Then, right before the main message was delivered, the Jr. High pastor got up there and talked about how we need to ask God to help us break down the walls that prevent us from sharing our faith with others. As he was talking, two people brought out the big wall with all of the writing on it. Then at the end he got out a giant hammer and punched some holes in the wall, and finally knocked it down.
After our youth pastor Darius gave his sermon about how important it is to be going out and fulfilling our purpose in life which is to help people come to know Christ, he asked anyone who wanted to commit their lives to Christ (or recommit, as the case may be) to come forward on their knees and pray silently as some music played. It was by far the most moving part of the service as dozens if not hundreds of students silently walked forward and got down on their knees and committed themselves to living as they have been called. There were very few dry eyes in the house as Darius walked out and prayed over them and blessed them.
Clearly, it made an impact on the students because there were a lot of new faces in the crowd this morning at youth group. These kids are beginning to step out boldly and invite their friends to church, and lives are beginning to change! I am so excited for all that God has in store for the church when they move into their new building. I am confident that they will need the extra space for all of the new people that will come there seeking God, and I am also confident that this is a church where they are sure to find Him. =^)
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