Friends ... for life!
Paul and Jenny Cleckner have been an amazing gift to me. When we started promoting "recruit by relationship" in our Young Life Area about 5 years ago (though we called it "recruit your own"), several leaders have been great at inviting their friends to join us in ministry. Holly Barnard and Katie Lazas in particular, but none have poured into potential leaders more than Paul and Jenny. Their life is a testimony for Community on Mission, something you may hear me talk about alot in the future. I've been wondering what the difference between YL and other groups I know and decided that alot of Christian Small Groups feed themselves (Mission Communities), but may not look out at the Mission field like we do (Community on Mission). Paul and Jenny have helped me realize in new ways that giving your life away is essential for growth and an integral part of the Gospel. Jonathan, Phillip, Billy, Karen, Danae, Nick and Thomas are a part of this group of mid-20 year olds that come around YL in Wilco to be fed and to give their lives away and have a direct path thru the Cleckners.
I realize more about Jesus when I am with Paul and Jenny.
The 2nd half of this post is to include a current that has been running in me this school year. Maybe it is because my girls are Seniors and that makes me pause and ask questions, but it's a new current. It is that question of my direct ministry effectiveness with teenagers. I've found myself asking "am I too old," "is the tide shifting in ministry for me," "do kids still want to be around me" "do I still want to be around kids"? This is unfamiliar territory for me. I have found myself wanting to send out spies to the land to survey the enemy of old age. Right now, 10 speak loudly that I am too old, but I'm still clinging to the whispers of the 2 that keep saying that the Father has given me/us the land.
