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"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another,
as good stewards of God's varied grace."
(1 Peter 4:10-11; ESV)
If I could go back in time and tell myself right after high school graduation that in five years, I would be serving as a minister to J-High students, I would never have believed myself! My plan growing up was to go to a small private university, get a religious degree, go to seminary, get my masters, pastor a small church as I was working on my doctorate, and see where the Lord would take me from there.
However, when I was walking to my townhome at DBU, I got a call from a man by the name of Sam Smith who asked me, "Have you ever thought about Junior High Ministry?" ...and the rest is history. I had never before thought of being in Student Ministry. Quite frankly, it was never something I desired to do. That all changed when I got the phone call and began reflecting on what J-High meant for me. I realized quickly that a few decisions I made in J-High set a trajectory that I am still on to this day. I started playing tennis and basketball competitively in J-High, and I still play competitively now. I had mentors who emphasized God's word to me in J-High, and I am now trying to be a mentor who emphasizes God's word to my J-High students!
It is amazing to see how God works and ordains our lives! God gives us all unique and amazing gifts, and upon salvation, He gives us a community in which to use these gifts: His church. What are you doing with the gifts the Lord has given you? Are you using your gifts to serve others, like Galatians talks about? Are you serving in your local church?
Now, you may not be called to focus on serving 7th and 8th graders, but you may be called to serve in your local church's adult ministry or children's ministry. Is there a passion that you have had for a while, but you are just waiting for the right push to get involved? May this be the push you need!
I am forever grateful for what God has allowed me to learn through J-High ministry, and I am excited to see what He is going to teach me in the future. My encouragement to you is simple: get in the game. Be a believer who is using the gifts that God has given you to serve His church.
Who knows... you may look up in five years and find yourself serving Junior High students!
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