High School Ministry Opportunities

In Berastagi, one of the churches here has the amazing opportunity of going to a local high school every morning Tuesday – Saturday (yes, they have school 6 days a week here—haha) and getting to share with the entire student body for half an hour or so. It’s not a Christian high school, so it’s really neat that they are allowed to go. There are about 400-500 students.

Two weeks ago, they invited Violetta, Steve and myself to give the messages for the entire week! So after a couple of songs every morning, we each took turns on different days with a quick 15 minute word for the students. It was great to get to share with young adults from all different sorts of backgrounds about God’s love and acceptance.

Steve started the week with a recap of the story of Zacchaeus, emphasizing that it doesn’t matter how your peers may label you; God doesn’t measure success or give approval based by the world’s standards. But He meets us where we are at, and loves us unconditionally.

Vio shared Wednesday with a touching story about imagining a disease that spread throughout the whole world and only the purest blood could supply the vaccination and a father had to give up his son (who was the only one they found with good enough blood) in order to save the whole world. Then it was just a short conversational leap to God and Jesus!

This was the size of the student body we each preached to.

Here I am, Thursday! I told the story of the prodigal son. We don’t have our Father’s love because we’ve done anything to deserve it, but no matter what it’s always there with open arms, waiting for us.

At the end of my little talk, I had a funny face contest with my translator! (no I didn't)

Friday and Saturday was more of the same.

Then, yesterday, I was given the opportunity of preaching at a different high school just outside of Medan. This also is not a Christian school, however it is owned by a Christian couple. I spoke to the Jr. & Sr. high school students (about 400), and it went really well! I like this age so much better than children… is that a bad thing to admit?

I told a story about sacrifice (it was very moving) and then (as should be expected by now) brought in God and humanity’s sin problem and Jesus, and then asked if anyone would like to accept this free gift of Jesus! Over 70 hands shot up all over the room- it was very neat to see. Due to stage setup and where Steve was sitting, there wasn’t really any non-disruptive way for him to get a picture of me preaching (I don’t mind too much, there was definitely more than the recommended number of people in that room, and I was really sweaty), but here is a picture of the students: