Rescuing the Rescuers

Posted on Nov 16, 2016 in Uncategorized |

One of my former youth group students is now the lead minister in a southern California church, has been married for several years, and is the dad of one daughter with a second girl set to arrive in March. Another of my former students serves as a deacon right here at Sunrise, leads our worship ministry, has been married for a number of years, and is the dad of a son and a daughter. Besides making me feel OLD, these young adults remind me of the importance of investing in our youths, because they are the ones receiving the torch we pass, the ones who will continue to reach this world and make disciples. I’m thrilled to say that these men are doing just that. Even as the torch is passed to them, they are beginning to hand it off to the next generation after them. While their race is not over, they are helping others to start down the path of Christian living and service to the King.

As I look back fondly on the years I spent with these former students and current leaders, I know I played only a small role in shaping their lives; however, it reminds me of the critical importance of training up those who follow us. Using the example of the Apostle Paul’s voyage to Rome, a journey that would end in shipwreck, a youth minister named Glenn Procopio writes, “Because we are faithfully sailing ships that will never return, the ones we touch today may be the ones pulling survivors from the sea tomorrow.” Let us see those around us who need Jesus, let us point them to the One who can rescue them, and let us teach them to find and help other survivors of the shipwrecks of life.

Troy Burns