Over the last two weeks I have had two very impactful experiences through the  ministry opportunities God has allowed me to be involved in. The first was at last weekend’s snow retreat with our church’s youth group.

This past fall my wife and I volunteered to be on the youth staff as mentors. We both have a small group of junior highers we  meet with to encourage and disciple. As part of the youth staff we were asked to help with the snow retreat. The snow retreat is an annual event for our junior and senior high youth that occurs on the weekend before  MLK Day.  I have to confess that during the weeks leading up to snow retreat I was dreading the event. I obsessed over the idea of being cold, tired and sore. Thankfully, the day before the retreat God infused me with excitement, and I was not disappointed.  The event was powerful.  I had a blast. I was reminded  how God speaks into the lives of young people and gives them a hope and future (Jeremiah 29:11). Many of the 120 kids attending experienced seeing their Creator’s call to living a life that makes a difference. I had the opportunity to pray with several young men about what God wants to do through their lives. I came home refreshed, renewed, and ready to continue to walk with the young men I mentor as they explore the adventure and mission Yahweh has for them.  

The second experience I mentioned? I’ll write about that next time.