Yshua was one of the “troublemakers” in our youth group. Like many teenagers, he had a hard time knowing when to listen and when to speak, and had a very hard time sitting still. No one really took him seriously. We always thought he was just another kid whose energy came from too much TV and video games. But of late he has surprised us all.

Yshua, 15, had shown an increasing interest in being involved with the youth group. He came up to me one day and asked if there was anything he could do to help. I was taken off guard and didn’t really know how to respond. He started bugging me to teach the youth group, so against my better judgment, I decided to cave in.

On a bright Sunday morning two weeks ago, Yshua stood up in front of his peers and taught from the Word of God. He spoke with confidence and knowledge. Everyone was taken by surprise. We were all speechless.

He did a really hard thing.

He went against all of our expectations.

And God used him.

“Do Hard Things” – that’s our youth group’s latest mission. Our coming July youth camp will be based on the book by the same title written by the then teenage Harris brothers. The book challenges teenagers to go beyond our culture’s expectations of how teenagers should behave and act. Teenagers can and should do great things for God.

This year we are committed to sharing responsibility and leadership with our teens. They are beginning to study for and teach classes, to organize events, and to influence their friends in a new way of living.

“Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.” 1 Tm 4:12