It must be fall because pumpkin spice lattes are out at Starbucks! Though I’m not one to order a PSL, fall has always been my favorite season. I know that January 1st is New Year’s Day, but September always feels like the start of something new. Schools are back in session, and in our local church September means launching ministries off the momentum of our various camps.
After a three-year hiatus, we were able to host "The Gathering Weekend" at Cowichan Bible Camp this summer. About 70 young adults and volunteers gathered for a weekend away to pause, rest, and seek the Holy Spirit together. The weekend was catalytic and powerful. I've been encouraged to hear about the lifelong friendships that were made, and how God has moved through prayer, worship, and Scripture in people's lives. Make sure you don't miss next year's Gathering Weekend if you missed this year's! You won't find a better way to end your summer.
God is doing something powerful in our community of young adults at CLA. There is a hunger for the Lord that feels distinct. Glory to God. Miracles are happening, lives are being changed, and the Spirit is filling young adults anew and afresh. We are witnessing young people rejecting indifference and standing firm in their discipleship to Jesus as the gospel captures their hearts. It has been a gift to pastor this congregation for 3 years. It has grown and shaped me not only as a pastor but as a disciple of Jesus myself. Last Sunday we introduced Matt Bender as our new Young Adult Pastor.
This past ministry year, I had Matt Bender on staff with me on our Young Adult team. He has assisted me in pastoral care, leading small groups, and in our gatherings with preaching and teaching. Matt, I believe, has been brought into our sphere by God for such a time as this, so I'm excited to be able to hand over the reins to him to shepherd our young adults.
Matt and his wife Whitney love people! They're passionate about prayer and seeing people spiritually formed into life-long devoted followers of Jesus. I am confident in the leadership depth we've created within our young adult community. Matt will lead this congregation into a bright future in partnership with the Holy Spirit and I'm excited to cheer him on.
If you are a young adult, or you're connected to one - I want to invite you to get connected on Thursday nights either through our gatherings or by joining a Connect Group. We have bi-weekly gatherings in the Conference Hall at 7:30pm on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month, and Connect Groups meet in various homes on the off-weeks. For the latest updates on our Young Adult ministry here at CLA, follow @clayoungadults on Instagram.
