I was asked recently why I advocate for the youth of our church so much. These youth are important, certainly and obviously need (help), but what compels you so much? Don't you believe that the adults need more care; shouldn't we focus more on them? As I thought through this question I found that my emotions ran the entire spectrum, from guilt to fear to anger. Then I was reminded of Jesus as he walked and met with people and how the leaders and teachers became furious because he ate with the unclean the unkempt and (gasp) sinners. They didn't seem to understand that these were the people that God had called the leaders and teachers to minister to. It is sad that they had so much knowledge of scripture and so little understanding. The people that Jesus sat with, ate with and ministered to were so alone, so afraid and utterly without hope. They couldn't see any light in their world because they were constantly surrounded by a darkness so thick they did not believe there would ever be a way out. They were the cast offs the forgotten and in their estimation the worthless. Yet Jesus, the Son of God, not only deigned to speak to them, but actually loved them. He did not do so out of pity for the poor creatures, but out of a love so deep so wide and so high we have neither concept nor word to truly describe it. I am in awe of my Savior in that He brought a light like no other into such deep and terrible darkness. It threatened Him like nothing we can imagine and yet there He stood in the midst of the storm.

These youth we minister to often walk in dark areas we have no concept of. Many of us have forgotten what it was like to face the giants and demons of adolescence. They struggle with deep depressions, look for love and acceptance. Often many who attend our group are caught in the midst of divorce and deep pain. It might surprise many to know that several come from families rife with neglect, alcohol and searing criticism. They wonder what the world will ever offer and try things that in truth only lead to deeper hurt and pain in a quest for peace, love and acceptance. If we do not give this to them, how then do they see the light of Jesus? Who shall they lean on if we do not bear our shoulders and our hearts?

When we criticize the smallest things, like a few papers being out of place, a cup left after a youth meeting, or the positioning of the cookies and coffee on Sunday morning, how do they see the love of Christ in us?

If rules and more rules and sharp tongues are all they see, why would they believe that we're any different than their families who offer the same at home? This is not to say that rules aren't important, but we need to teach in love and with much patience.

Teens are messy!

Their lives are messy, their hearts are messy and their emotions are messy! If you can remember how messy you were as a teen then you’re halfway there. Things might get left behind, may even get broken and we need to be ready for that and we need to be praying for them as well as ready to love on them. Jesus, sitting in the upper room with His closest friends, stooped down to wash His friend’s feet. He served them in a way that none could imagine the Son of the Most High serving. After all wasn't He in truth - God? Should it not be He whose feet should be washed? The disciples struggled with this like crazy and Peter even tried to deny Jesus service. After all were washed and the room was silent, Jesus stood up replaced his clothes asked if they understood what He had just done. "You call me Teacher and Lord and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you

also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things you will be blessed if you do them." (John13: 12-17NIV)

Jesus asked us to wash one another’s feet and as adults we do this, although often enough it is met with great reluctance. In similar fashion He asks us to wash the feet of these teens.

This doesn't mean throw money at every project they're doing, but rather it means partner with them, mentor them, love on them and yes - serve them. Our culture has lost the meaning of this concept and by-and- large our world thinks that because we attain a certain status or age or title we automatically deserve respect and for others to serve us. Jesus, the Lord of all creation never stopped serving in fact He continues to serve through us each day. Armed with this knowledge how can we possibly be so self indulgent as to ask to only serve the adults, (and only those who deserve it), without realizing how important these youth are to the future of the church, to the present of our church?

Our time is passing and in a short while we will be gone. However, if we live a legacy, if we continue to lift these young men and women up, teaching them, loving them and serving them in the power of the Holy Spirit we will create a movement that no force on earth can shake. And they will shape the church of today and tomorrow, passing on the lessons that we have given them. Our legacy lives on into the next generation and the next and the next just as the disciple’s legacy lives on in us.

That is why I advocate so strenuously for the youth. That is why I constantly call adults to stand in the gap and be partners in this ministry, asking them to bring these youth into

ministry alongside them. Not so that I won't be forgotten, but so that they will never forget the love of Christ, His deep and abiding love and acceptance shown through this unworthy disciple in the short time I had in this place.

I ask each one who reads this to join with me in this movement. That His Kingdom might be made manifest in us and that it might grow through the service, the ministry, the gentle teaching and unwavering prayer that we have been called to do. Through us, this new generation and the ones to follow, Christ's name will be made Famous again! Not because of us, but because of what He does in us. The world is watching will we prove to be His or theirs?

Scott Soden Associate Pastor at Cheyenne First Brethren Member of the Executive Board of the Brethren Church