"Yo Pais, you should keep doing student ministry." - Jesus
Or: A Calling From God
This weekend, I once again did the EI conference at my church. A little background: it’s a Christian conference for 6-12th grade students to be able to worship together, make family groups, do mission breaks, and learn about how they can impact the world through Jesus. It’s a really cool experience as a volunteer because I get to be part of making the whole thing happen and also get to experience it as a participant because I don’t know the plan for every single second as the leaders know.
Come the end of the conference, we did a last concert with a wonderful worship band and the last song they did was the one that I kind of label as my first “Christian Moment”. I know it’s a super popular song and it’s become so mainstream that some people look down on it now, but Oceans is my Christian anthem and that’s the song the band began to play. So I was reminded of where I was a year ago, unbaptized and struggling to find my identity. Then I thought about where I am today. I volunteer on a regular basis with these kids that I’ve grown to love and I have grown so much closer to God. It’s amazing!
I was compelled to pray for every child who had decided to come to this thing and for every adult who gave their time. So I started going around the front and just singing and praying while putting my hands on the backs of these kids. The ones from my church, ones I was more comfortable with, where the ones I would hug. The ones I didn’t just got a light hand on them. Some of the kids looked at me weird. But it was okay. I am praying for Jesus to fill their hearts and for them to make it home safely. It’s just a hand on a shoulder.
I was about a minute or so into my prayer when I came across a girl. I hadn’t officially met her but I knew what church she was with and I’m sure she knew who I was in terms of either youth or adult since I was wearing the volunteer shirt. I put my hand on her for a couple of seconds and she just turns around to wrap me in a hug. And I just knew that this girl needed something more for me so I squeezed her tight. Then I began to sing along to the song into her ear. “Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders. Let me walk upon the waters, wherever You would call me. Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander and my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Savior.”
Guys, I don’t sing at all. But I was compelled to sing into the ear of this stranger while hugging her and she began to shake and started singing withe half way through the verse. I’m not sure if she was crying or not but I gave her one last squeeze before I let go.
That’s when I realized that this is it. This is what The Lord is calling me to do. Not huge expensive mission trips. Not to stand up and preach to an awaiting audience. I have been called to guide the youth. Because I didn’t grow up with religion and I lacked one when I needed it the most. I know what it’s like to literally feel alone because I 100% believed that I was. I can keep that from happening to so many kids. They may not have anyone but they’re gonna have me and God. And I think that’s such a great thing too.
I am so unbelievably blessed to be able to do stuff like this. I didn’t ask for it. I just happened across it one day and it just….bam! I can’t wait to see what other surprised come for me for this year.
