I recently attended our “in-person” meeting in Fairmont, West Virginia. The meeting went well, and we all went away feeling blessed and honored to be doing the Lord’s work. As I looked around the table, I asked myself who would be sitting in “My” seat tomorrow, and I could not help but think that Christ’s Disciples were asking themselves the same question. This brought me to thinking about Paul.

Paul took the time to mentor Timothy and other young men, but I believe Timothy held a special place in Paul’s heart. Paul even found himself in a dark place where he just wanted to go and be with the Lord, he longed for this. But he reminded himself he would continue for as long as the Lord would allow. But he knew sooner or later the time would come when he would no longer be. He started preparing young men to carry on the gospel of Jesus Christ. So, how did this work out? Well, two thousand years later, I’m writing this devotional talking about it…. So, I would say it has worked out very well!

We can not forget to encourage our Youth to go into the ministry. I am here to tell you we have some Awesome Youth working for the Lord! In our meeting, we discussed our youth traveling to Puerto Rico for mission work that started in the early to mid-1900s. Exactly one week after our meeting in Fairmont, I attended a youth meeting at one of our Church Camps in East Tennessee.

During the Camp Placid Youth meeting, three young individuals delivered sermons, not only to the youth, but also to 7 of our pastors. The pastors were asked to give their feedback to the youth regarding their messages. It was praiseworthy and brought tears of joy to our eyes to see these young men and women speak with boldness, standing firmly on God’s Holy Word!  Praise God for our Youth. We often think of our Youth as being just…Youth. One Youth in the Old Testament figured it out….

Job 32: 6-10 6 So Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite [c]spoke out and said,” I am young in years and you are old; therefore, I was shy and afraid to tell you [d]what I think. 7 “I [e]thought [f]age should speak, and [g]increased years should teach wisdom. 8 “But it is a spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding. 9 “The [h]abundant in years may not be wise, Nor may elders understand justice. 10 “So I [i]say, ‘Listen to me, I too, will tell [j]what I think” (NASV).

Brother John Swonger, CBC Exec Board.