Build Bridges then Lead the Way

Last Night Lifechurch was filled to beyond capacity. Over 1000 young people were in attendance to remember Maxwell Rivera's life. The grief and sense of loss was profound. But an amazing thing happened.......The grief and pain in those young people's heart was confronted by the powerful and genuine love of God. They couldn't deny His presence.

Some are asking for leaders to rise up and I would say "look around the room." Last night on the platform, down the aisles and in the seats were teen leaders, counselors, school administrators, parents, educators and student worship leaders. They have been and will continue to lead the way. Perhaps this will cause an awakening in the hearts of others to "follow the lead." Or perhaps this will cause generations to link arms tighter and 'build bridges' because never has and never will one generation do it alone!

Psalm 71 reflects David's desire and yearning to pass down to the Next Generation what he has seen God do in His life. The amplified reads:

17-24 You got me when I was an unformed youth, God, and taught me everything I know. Now I'm telling the world your wonders; I'll keep at it until I'm old and gray. God don't walk off and leave me until I get out the news of your strong right arm to this world, news of your power to the world yet to come, Your famous and righteous ways, O God. God, you've done it all! Who is quite like you?

That is my life chapter....God use my life until I'm old and gray to show your greatness!! May I make You famous!! To think that in that very sanctuary that was once a Wesleyan College Gym, I stood as a teenager worshipping God during a concert. Now many years later I stand there again with hundreds of young people crying out to God. Who would have thought the Lords plans would have been to use my husband and I to lead the way in making this a place of hope and light to the next generation. WOW!!!!

Last night was like none I'd ever seen....though Nicky Cruz had told us of similar times he had experienced. The weeping was intense in that room...... a cry of grief, a cry of hopelessness mixed with cries of surrender and brokeness. Though tragedy brought them to that room it was the love and realness of God that had captured their hearts. It was undeniable........not man but Jesus!!

I spoke with an educator that has a long history in the Bethlehem area. He stated "we are all so grateful for Lifechurch and it's people for providing a haven for these young people to go. When I was growing up and something like this happened we had nowhere to go, we all had to grieve on our own. Thank you Lifechurch!!"

May we continue to lead the way........... We may not be where we should be, but we sure are not where we were. Every generation will do "their part". I'm endeavoring to do mine while I'm still here. And when I'm gone may the Next Generation say "She led well."