Is This Story Your Story?
Because it should be.
A long time ago in a country far, far away a man grew discouraged. He was genuinely interested in being a Christ follower but he was becoming disillusioned with what he saw in the church. He was not seeing the transformation in the lives of Christians that Jesus promises and that lined the pages in the book of Acts. To an extent, he even began to doubt the Christian message itself. Maybe this transformation is not really possible? Maybe this Christian thing is not true? Maybe....Maybe...Maybe...
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
— Matthew 22:36-39
Instead of dwelling there like a bump on a log he decided to do something about it. He basically locked himself up in a house and sought the Christian God and resolved in his heart to not leave the house until he found this God. So there he was, alone in a house, seeking God with all he had.
Something strange happened soon after. Maybe strange is not the right word. Maybe something bizarre happened? Or, maybe something unusual happened. Yeah, something unusual happened. God showed up and began to transform this man. God began to bring forth the things that Jesus spoke about. Pretty soon the book of Acts was becoming a reality for this man rather than a starry-eyed history book. Yes, this Christian God showed up and began to show Himself as the same God who does the same stuff found in the New Testament.
This man eventually left his house filled with the transforming power of God. This transforming power began to rub off on the people he met. Soon, a whole group of people began to encounter this living and transforming God. God used this man as a conduit, as a tool in His hands to spread His work among the people.
Sadly, this man died four months later but the legacy God wrought through him has lived on...it is known as the East African Revival. They were called the People of the Fire! Why? Because they were consumed by God who is a consuming fire.
Many of those affected by this move of God are still alive today and some of them are in the Anglican Church of Rwanda. In fact, much of what we call the Anglican Mission in the Americas is directly related to the East African Revival. So much so that we would say our roots as a Mission are squarely rooted in the story of this man and this revival.
What does this mean for you and me?
I would like to share with you a few principles worth remembering. These principles are directly related to the story of this man who began the East African Revival.
You Cannot Take A Student Deeper Than You Yourself Have Been Taken By God
In order to be used by God you must heed the call again today (after all, today is the only day you have... who knows about tomorrow?). What is that call? To fall in love with God (i.e. the Great Commandment). Are you falling in love with God?
Discipleship is Caught More Than It Is Taught
This is somewhat related to the first point... I know. But think about it... Are we letting this principle pervade how we do ministry with students? Do we info-dump or do we create space for them to encounter God? Do we take them with us as we authentically pursue God? Discipleship is a way of life...not a program.
God Still Moves Among His People and He Still Transforms Lives
Most of us (me included) tend to talk numbers. "My ministry is growing... I started with 12 kids and now I have 30! God is moving." Or I tend to ask a kid after a youth event, "Did you enjoy the event?" As if their enjoyment was the point! Wow, am I messed up!
What if we talked transformation? What if our highlight was God's transformation of character instead of numbers? What if we were so caught up in God that the very desires and affections of our hearts were turned to Him and out of that grew a desire for our students to know that? What if... what if... what if...
Be Encouraged
God can use anyone... even a poor East African man who died four months later. Today is all you have. Do not feel discouraged. With confidence and boldness drop what you are doing and seek God. Make seeking Him your number one program... and watch what God does. Then maybe we will all say that what happened to this East African was not strange, bizarre or unusual but rather expected.
Involved in Youth Ministry for over 10 years, Rev Chris Zoephel has worked with junior highers, senior highers and those who act like these folks both as a paid staff member and as a volunteer in churches and para church organizations. These days most of his time is spent chasing his son around, keeping his office somewhat organized and trying to point others toward Christ. Currently Chris is on staff at Immanuel Anglican Church in Destin, FL as the Pastor of Discipleship (which includes being a youth pastor). Chris also serves as Director of YAMIA for the Anglican Mission in the Americas.
