“The seventh time the servant reported, “A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.” 1 Kings 18:44
The recent stats on young adult's ministry in the North American church are not bright. It is said that in the next year 1 million young adults will leave the church. Barna, the Christian research think tank, has been quoted that statistically the church in the west will die without the combination of "a move of God" and "radical discipleship". Friends, this is our next generation. Plagued by anxiety. Fear. Addictions. Pain. Confusion. Loneliness. If you were to ask me right now what emotional equilibrium was over the last year of walking with this community it would be one word: HOPE.
Hope.
Because even though things are looking the darkest, I know that the night is the darkest right before the morning light. Because even though we have come to realize all our best man-made solutions to church aren't working, I know that means a deeper dependence on prayer and the need for God to move in power. Because even though I know many young adults who are languishing, I know the stories of many young adults awakening to life with God and the deeper things of God.
Throughout Church history every time the Church would start to grow apathetic and lukewarm, God raised up the younger generation, burdened them with the Spirit of Prayer for Him to move again. Since September, we have seen a taste of that. Genuine hunger from a generation. Powerful moments of repentance. Freedom from lies. Radical generosity and response to God's invitation in missions. People inviting their friends. Groups driving in from the Tri-Cities and Vancouver. University campuses coming alive and wanting more spaces of whole-hearted worship and prayer. A generation becoming hungry for more of God.
One of the most encouraging moments this fall was after a service a young adult told me she had just started coming back. She said “I want you to know how different this place is. You can tell that you guys love Jesus here. That you actually want this focused all on Him and bringing Him glory."
These moments make me weep as a pastor.
Fills me with wonder.
Fall 2024 for CLA Young Adults has been a deep revelation of God’s goodness and kindness. How faithful he is. How life with him is better than they thought. How much kinder his voice is. How beautiful he is.
If I was to say what has caused the beautiful growth and life that is happening in our community, I would say I don't know. That in his grace his Spirit has been powerfully at work. I do know that the life of this fall is in some way tied to our Tuesday morning prayer meeting with 3 people - we have been interceding on behalf of a generation for over 2 years.
"Don't despise your small prayer gatherings... Every major revival has its origins with a small band of intercessions faithfully crying out! Small gatherings precede big breakthroughs! When we gather to worship and pray, regardless of size, we convene the very court of heaven on earth. Our prayer gatherings are the most important and powerful gatherings in our city." David Fritch
The fall I believe has been a taste. But God has more. Hosea 10:12 "for it is time to seek the Lord, UNTIL he comes and rains down his righteousness on you".
What would it look like to seek him afresh this next year?
