May 17, 2018
"Let no one despise you for your youth,
but set the believers an example in speech,
in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."
1 Timothy 4:12
Dear MLEPC Family and Friends,
This Sunday at MLEPC is Youth Sunday which features a unified 9:00 AM service followed by a congregational meeting and fellowship hour. Youth Sunday is an inspiring morning of worship, prayer, and scripture. Nothing is more powerful or moving than witnessing our youth proclaim their faith, trust and love for our Lord. I encourage all to come in support of our youth, especially as a church congregation who recognizes the importance of a sound faith as a teenager in today's society.
Over the past year I have had the privilege of watching the growth of our youth here at MLEPC. There is an abundance of attributes and characteristics that come to mind when describing our youth group. Words such as service, leaders, prayer warriors, and many more. God is moving in our youth. From student led Bible studies, to serving children in Bluefield, to the streets of Pittsburgh, and finally to their schools. Our youth have a passion, that stems directly from Christ.
When I was younger my biggest annoyance was the phrase, "You're not old enough." I could never understand that statement. Everyone and everything was telling me, "Change the world", or "Aim for the stars." Many of these posters were plastered to all the walls of the classrooms I clearly wasn't paying attention in. Why did I have to be older to change the world? Why did I have to be older to help someone? Why did I have to be older to be a good friend? I spent a lot of my childhood pondering these questions.
The scripture above from 1 Timothy paints a clear picture for my youthful self. As Paul shows us in this letter to Timothy, you don't have to be older to show the Love of Jesus Christ. You don't have to be older to be an example or witness of Jesus's ministries. You can showcase these very characteristics of Christ at any age.
MELPC, let's face it, this is the church of now. These confirmation students are the church, here now joining the ranks of believers to spread the Truth and the Word. Sunday, they will be declaring just that in front of the congregation. Or our seniors who are about to embark on these very missions in college. All are teenagers who are wide-eyed and ready to change the world.
I could write a million paragraphs about how amazing our youth are and how amazing the past year has been. Instead, I encourage you to join us this Sunday at 9:00 AM to witness our youth, because I can promise you words don't do it justice.
In Christ,
Brant Toulouse
