An interruption in my series on prayer to talk about something that happened at the Florida-Bahamas Synod Assembly last month. Four years ago I helped draft a change in the governing documents of the Synod that allowed each congregation to send a youth between the ages of 15 and 22 as a voting member of the assembly. This year there were 18 young persons at the assembly.

We heard a presentation by Mission Partners 100, a synod program by which individuals contribute $100 twice a year to help new congregations purchase land or to construct a building. At the end of the presentation a young man, Rocco, came to a floor microphone to ask whether someone like him who didn’t have much money could donate less than $100 to the program. The Bishop assured him that he could donate even $1 and it would be appreciated.

I was impressed by Rocco’s concern, but not surprised. Over the past ten years or so I have encountered a number of young people who are passionate about their faith and eager to make their contribution to the church. It is true that most people under 25 do not care at all about the church or religion, but those who do have a dedication we should envy. (By the way, Rocco led the campaign “Mission Possible” at his church and raised over $30,000 for our Luther Springs camp.)

I encourage adult church members to talk to young people, not to teach them the faith, but to learn the faith from them. If you do, you may share my amazement and delight in what they have to say. They certainly give me a reason to be hopeful about the future of the church.

Read Matthew 11:25-26, and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne