This weekend I had the pleasure of taking six of our young people to Cedarville University for a Leadership Conference.  Each of the young people told Tammy and me how much they had learned, not just from the sessions they attended, but from the college students who they were able to meet. 

As I spoke with our youth, I was impressed by their desire to serve God and grow in Him.  They are asking great questions about their faith and are wanting to know more about Christ all the time. 

Moreover these teens are serving in almost every area of the church.  They are helping with the praise team, being AWANA Leaders, serving in the nursery (with adults), helping clean the church and doing whatever else they can.  I often hear people refer to teens as "the church of the future."  It seems to me they are the church of today.  Without their help it would be hard if not impossible to accomplish all that FVBC does in ministry. 

As great as they are, they still need adult leadership and example.  We need adults to step up and take these young "Timothy's" under their wings and help them develop into mature followers of Christ.  Paul instructs us in 1 Timothy to,  "Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity."  

So friends, are we being that example?  Are we faithful in and to the Word?  Are they seeing us serve, study and seek out opportunities to share our faith?  Remember for our church to be here tomorrow, the church of today must be teaching these young believers more and more.  While we have the opportunity to serve alongside these exceptional young people, encourage them.  Let them know they are appreciated and then be the example of a mature believer for them to see. Because of Him, Pastor.