This post is dedicated to the 28 amazing students and my 5 fellow fearless leaders who represented Legacy Christian Church at the CIY TN7 Conference in Cleveland, TN, July 21-26, 2024.

Unless noted otherwise, all Bible verses are from the ESV Bible.

Many of you know that I am a youth group leader at my church. For the second consecutive year, I have had the privilege of accompanying teens and fellow leaders to a Christ in Youth (CIY) Conference. This year, we took the most students in the history of Legacy Christian Church’s visits to CIY, 28. Let me say that again…28 teens! That is simply incredible!

As you can imagine, wrangling so many people (including adults) can be tricky. Just imagine the anxiety, the confusion, the anguish, the tears, the doubts, the disagreements, the meltdowns, the exhaustion! OK…that’s enough about the leaders!

Our group had the privilege of staying at Lee University in Cleveland, TN this year. According to its website, Lee University, founded in 1918, is a private Christian institution covering approximately 127 acres. Let me tell you, the campus is absolutely beautiful with lots of traditional southern architecture and charm. Our accommodations were student dorms with 2 beds, 2 closets, 2 desks and a bathroom shared between 2 rooms. While there was air conditioning, the dorm where the female students and leaders stayed this year did not have an elevator. Did I happen to mention that our rooms were on the 3rd floor? Trust me when I say that between 127 acres and 3rd floor dorm rooms, I personally walked 28.4 miles during the week. Yep! I’m exhausted.

But it’s an exhilarating exhaustion, if you can comprehend such a thing. While the weather was pretty wet for the majority of the week, it did not dampen spirits. Our incredible group of students was diverse in beliefs and personalities and talents. In addition to our returning and regular Wed/Sun students (love you AS, AF, BS, BR, BD, CM, DH, EB, ES, FR, JF, JH, JN, MB, ML, ZK!), some students were there because they were promised a charter bus (love you, TG!) which didn’t materialize due to enrollment. A few students were invited by friends and had no idea what they were getting into (love you AM, KB, RJ, WW!). Two students were added at the last minute (I’m talking like hours prior) because of 2 cancellations (love you JT & AD!). There were a few students I didn’t have the chance to interact with much but observed from afar (love you BW, CH, CN, JD, MS!).

The exhilarating portion, which I’d say is about 90 percent, was interacting with and observing these amazing students throughout the week. CIY can change and has changed lives! Our group alone had 4 baptisms! Congratulations to ES, CM, JF, and WW! I am so proud of each and every one of you.

Not only did we eat together, we prayed, sang, danced, worshipped, laughed, cried, high-fived, fist-bumped, and we hugged. Trust me when I tell you that those hugs got stronger as the week went on. Personally, the hugs gave me the strength to endure my old-age exhaustion. I tried to keep up with the fist-bumps, finger hearts and teen lingo, but well…in the end I am me and you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.

Seeing students who came with no idea of what CIY is about to actively participate in the worship time and respond to opportunities for Jesus was simply incredible. Sharing my faith, encouraging, and praying with students who don’t necessarily believe in Christ made my heart smile BIGLY. Comforting and praying with students who were being plagued by spiritual warfare after being baptized was both heart-breaking and faith-affirming. Enjoying their incredible talents entertained me and gave me hope for the future. Celebrating their accomplishments and comebacks is something that I truly can’t explain.

The week wasn’t all sunshine and flowers though. Listening to teens share their deepest hurts during our small group time was difficult, gut-wrenching, and if the truth be told, made me angry. Hearing students talk about feeling unappreciated or having been told that they were a mistake brought me to tears. Personally, I can’t imagine how devastating it would have been if my parent(s) told me that I was a mistake. While we live in a broken world filled with imperfect people, listen to me when I say, if anyone has ever told you that you are a mistake, please know that our Loving God is Perfect, and He doesn’t make mistakes! You were created in His image! If you don’t believe me, let’s see what The Bible says about our Perfect God:

“Then God said, Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground. So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:26-27 (NIV)

“The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.” Deuteronomy 32:4

“The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;” Psalm 19:7

“This God–his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.” 2 Samuel 22:31

“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities–all things were created through him and for him.” Colossians 1:16

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11

“But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

“For no word from God will ever fail.” Luke 1:37 (NIV)

There are countless verses about God’s Perfection, His Goodness, and His Love for us. I would be happy to meet with you if that is something God puts on your heart. Please message me at Crafting4Christ2023@gmail.com.

Spending a week with over 1500 students and leaders from all over the country has rejuvenated hope in me. This world is sometimes impossible to navigate, especially for those who don’t know Jesus or simply can’t comprehend His Goodness. Watching this diverse group of future adults make decisions to follow Jesus, set aside differences and stand arm in arm praising God, worshipping Him, laughing together, crying together, consoling one another, praying for one another, and loving one another is worth every exhausted muscle and bone in my body.

Would I do this again? Absolutely! In a heartbeat! Today’s teens need loving Christian mentors in their lives now…more than ever! If God is nudging your heart or you are interested in helping teens in your area, simply contact me, your church, or local youth organizations. You need no experience for this position…you just need a heart for Jesus and a heart for people.

It’s Heart Work, filled with High-Fives and Hugs.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for all You do in our lives. I humbly ask you to bless the person reading this. I thank you for them! If it is Your Plan for them, please convict their hearts to seek out opportunities to work with area children and teens. Help equip us all with Your Full Armor and all the tools we need to mentor and work with these young people as we introduce them to and encourage their walk with Jesus. Please put a yearning for a relationship with Jesus on the hearts and minds of all Your children. In His Precious Name, Amen.