Passing the Torch

It is such a blessing to see those whom you have served and poured into growing in the Lord and walking faithfully with Him.

Passing the Torch

This week's devotions are written by my friend Jessica Hermann, former director of our college ministry at Great Hills Baptist Church.

- Pastor Danny

A few weeks ago, I returned to serve at English Camp in Wölmerson, Germany. It is a summer camp for teens where they can both grow in their faith and grow in their English skills. This camp is where I first met my husband when we were serving on the camp staff back in 2018. Back then, I served as an English teacher and small group leader, where we'd discuss the sermon from each day and talk to the teens about Jesus. There are also plenty of teens who attend this camp who do not come from any kind of Christian background but still come for the English component, which also provides many open doors to introduce some to Christ for the very first time.

Nowadays, my role looks different. I am responsible for the entire English program, helping write curriculum, training all the teachers who fly in from the US, Canada, and Ireland, and overseeing the programs throughout the week.

This year, my greatest blessing was seeing all the young staff we have on the German side who were formerly campers but now serve on our team. They are now the small group leaders sharing Jesus with the teenagers! This year we had at least 12 former campers serving on staff, including multiple young women who had been in my small group in the past. I remember pouring into them. I remember our deep talks when they were just 17 or so. Now they are devoted followers of Jesus and fantastic young women. I also remember having to keep my eyes on a couple of the boys who had an eye for some of the girls in my small group. They weren't always making the best decisions, and now they are responsible, godly young men who lead others well.

It is such a blessing to see those whom you have served and poured into growing in the Lord and walking faithfully with Him. It is an even greater blessing to watch how they are serving others in the same ways you served them (and doing it even better)!

This is a small picture of discipleship. I only had them one week per summer, so obviously there are many, many others who poured into these young people. However, they learned from us how to serve the teens at this camp, and now they are doing it themselves. It is God's design that we pour into others and then pass the torch for them to turn and pour back into others from their now-full cup.

Another reflection from my time there is this: there is a great joy in returning to serve in the same place time and time again. Being faithful to one ministry year after year (or Sunday after Sunday) allows you the joy of seeing how people grow. Let me encourage you today to find a place you can serve faithfully, returning as often as you can and receiving the blessing of seeing the growth in the people you serve.

"You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others." (2 Timothy‬ 2‬:1‬-2,‬ NIV)

Here, Paul charges Timothy to pass on to others the things he has learned. The wisdom we gain from the Lord isn't meant to stay just with us! Pass it on so the next generation can benefit from it and continue to make disciples.

If you've walked with the Lord for any length of time, you have wisdom that you can share. I know many who don't share that wisdom for fear of feeling like they push their advice on unwilling ears. But I will tell you, there are more Christian young people eager to hear wisdom from those who have gone before than those who are closed off to it. Share what you've learned and have the courage to pass the torch to those coming behind you, trusting the Holy Spirit in them to carry on and advance on all you've taught them.