Adventures in Student Ministry

We had a wonderful time with THP Students tonight. We just wrapped up our series “The Focused Track,” before we began our next focused series, we decided to look at something different. In a couple of weeks, some of our students will be helping serve in our Kids ministry for an event called “Reset The Deep.” This is an event where we help teach our kids about missions and focus on praying for various countries around the globe. This month, we will be focusing on the country of Tanzania in Africa! With this in mind, we decided to discuss the country and what God is doing there.

To kick off the night, we started with a modified version of what is known as “Tanzania Hopscotch.” I say modified because it’s a game that takes a bit more skills than most of us had! It was a lot of fun jumping around (and falling) and attempting to play this game that many kids in Tanzania play. Our students were in awe of the way kids in Tanzania play Hopscotch.

Afterward, we went back into the lounge to discuss the country. We discussed some of the basics, such as the fact that it’s the home of the largest mountain in Africa, the deepest lake, and the fact that they have a fantastic nature preserve. But then we got into some of the deeper needs of the country. We discussed the spiritual poverty that was in the country and how many worship false gods and demonic spirits. We talked about the need for simple things like fresh food and clean water, which many of our students take for granted. The revelation that some don’t even have clean water to brush their teeth struck them. 

But then we talked about the great things God is doing in Tanzania. We talked about how, for the last 100 years, our fellowship has sent missionaries to the country to help people. We’ve helped fund programs and missionaries that supplied wells for fresh water, food, shelter, and the ability to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ in their own language.  What is really powerful, however, is that we’ve been able to help raise ministers from within the country itself.  People who have for years worshiped false gods and evil spirits are now faithful and dedicated believers in Jesus and are reaching people of their own nation.

We talked about why this is such an important thing. While I can find a way to relate to younger people and present the Gospel in a way that is impactful, things will mean much more to a young person if they hear about the impact of Jesus from their own peers. We talked about why it’s so important for our students to share their faith with their friends and peers on a regular basis. We talked about how it doesn’t have to be a drawn-out 3-point sermon, but simply doing life and discussing how God has challenged them in their Bible reading and prayer life, or even at church, can change things forever.

We ended the night by spending some time in prayer. I asked our students to pray for the following things.

1. Pray for the kids and young people in Tanzania that they will follow Him as they hear the Gospel of Jesus.
2. Pray for the ministers and missionaries working hard to preach the gospel and plant churches in the country.
3. Pray that God will raise up ministers and missionaries from both outside the country and inside who have a heart and passion for helping the people of Tanzania.

Here’s my challenge for you parents. The best way for your student to learn that sharing their faith casually is ok is for them to see it modeled at home. I’d like to encourage you to take some time at breakfast, dinner, or an outing and casually talk about what God is doing in your life. Allow your student to share for sure, but don’t push it. Show them it’s okay to share how God is moving in you and what you feel He’s calling you to do.