I'm still scratching my head.
I've been replaying the service in my mind. I arrived ready to code switch and to deliver a messag in a style that is youth friendly or what I call OTL aka On Their Level. We gathered expecting God to move in the lives of young people, and He certainly did. But somewhere along the way, the Holy Spirit reminded all of us that He isn't confined by the categories we create. We label services by age, generations, and target audiences. God simply looks at hearts.
Out of respect for the protocol and leadership of the church, after I spoke to the youth, I left the initial altar call to the pastor. As a guest, I always want to honor the house and the shepherd God has placed over it.
After the message, I was simply asked to return and give the benediction. But as I began to close the service, it became evident that the Holy Spirit wasn't finished. The benediction became an invitation. What was supposed to be the closing moments turned into the beginning of eternal life for three grown men who surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ.
Today, one of my mentees said something that has stayed with me:
"Alphaeus God used you pierced the soul of a grown man ."
My style is different. It's a little out the box. Hebrews reminds us that the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword. When truth is faithfully proclaimed, it has a way of reaching places that nothing else can.
Since yesterday morning, I've been wrestling with a few questions.
Are we sometimes preaching over the heads of grown men?
Have we become so accustomed to seeing adults faithfully attending church that we unintentionally assume church attendance equals salvation?
How many people know church traditions, church language, and church culture, church attire, yet have never truly surrendered their lives to Christ?
Those are sobering questions. Sitting in a pew doesn't automatically mean someone has experienced saving faith. The Gospel is just as necessary for the longtime church attender as it is for the first-time visitor.
On Saturday, I had the privilege of spending time in the company of Pastor John Hannah. One thing he shared has echoed in my spirit ever since. He encouraged us to be comfortable in the oil God has given us and to use what's already in our hands to give God glory.
That spoke to me.
God isn't asking us to imitate someone else's voice, style, or anointing. He's asking us to faithfully steward what He has already placed inside of us. Whether your platform is a sanctuary, a classroom, a youth room, a choir rehearsal, a boardroom, or a conversation with one person, use what's in your hand and let God receive the glory.
Yesterday morning reminded me that truth doesn't recognize age limits.
Youth were listening.
Adults were listening.
And the Holy Spirit was moving.
This is one of the reasons I'll never stop believing in youth ministry. It has never been just about teenagers. When the Gospel is preached without compromise, it reaches whoever is hungry. Sometimes the message prepared for the next generation ends up awakening the current one.
Three grown men reminded me of that yesterday.
God doesn't need an "adult service" to save adults.
He doesn't need a youth service to stay confined to youth.
He simply needs hearts that are open.
May we never become so programmed that we miss His divine interruptions.
And may we never assume that because someone attends church, they already know Jesus Christ personally.
The Word still works.
The Holy Spirit still draws.
And Jesus is still saving.