Step by step process.
Even before I arrived here at Visalia, God had laid many things on my heart. Dreams, Visions, and creative ideas that I thought would bring teenagers into His kingdom.
There are times, I am so tempted to jump in and launch all of these initiatives at once, however, not only would that not work it would also be very unwise.
I read a very good book one time that had a phrase that went something like this “The steps of the righteous man are ordered of the Lord.” If you notice there, the scriptures do not say the leaps of a righteous man are ordered of the Lord.
God orders and ordains our steps … not our leaps.
Coming into town trying to tackle, facility, recruiting, outreach, discipleship, small groups and team building all at the same time would not be a step … that would be a very large leap.
Because of this we have decided to accomplish His vision for us one step at a time.
Step One - Build relationship with students.
We are so excited to get to know all of the students in our new family here at VFA, however, they don’t have a clue who we are, what we are like or if they can even trust us. So my wife and I are going to take every opportunity during our Wednesday night services, weekend venues, off day trips and summer camp to simply get to know our new friends as well as let them get to know us.
Step Two - Build relationship with parents.
As a parent of two teenagers who just happens to be a youth pastor, I always look at everything thru the eyes of a parent. We have some incredible families here at VFA, so we are going to take the summer to establish trust, build friendship, as well as cast the vision of where we are taking the student ministry and inviting parents to bring their teenager along for the journey.
Step Three - Build the team.
Nothing can be done alone. In order for us to do what God is calling us to do, we must build an incredible team. We have an amazing summer planned as well as a brand new launch coming up this fall, so we are taking the next 14 weeks or so to cast not only cast vision, but to recruit, train, and release workers into the role they are going to play each week here at VFA Student Ministry this summer and fall.
When Jesus came to the earth, He did not come to promote or push a program, He came to the earth for people. It is the same with each us us. God did not call us where we are to promote or push some program … He called us to live and to love His people.
My family and I are so excited to do just that … one step at a time.
