With tears of frustration running down her cheeks, our youth leader walked out of the front door of the church angrily telling us young teenagers that if we could not take things seriously, she was done trying.
At 14 years of age, refraining from laughter during prayer time was hard for me and the other boys as we made faces at each other. My friend’s mom made it clear that she was not wasting her time anymore. Thankfully, she liked us, settled down and we met again the next week at our scheduled time.
That memory and a host of others raced in my mind as I pulled into the parking lot of Abiding Faith Baptist Church (formerly the Ft. Calhoun Baptist Church) for no other reason than just to remember.
It is not uncommon for me to look over to that church that sits across from the Ft. Calhoun school when I drive by. It will always have a special place in my heart.
Friends were few when my family moved to Rural Ft. Calhoun when I was 13. School had not yet begun and living in the country was so much different than spending most of my youth until that time living on military bases.
As my mother always did, she quickly found a church for us when we moved to what was considered “back home” for both of my parents. Little did I know that church would help define who I am today.
Our youth leader was one of many God would put in my life as a teenager. Coupled with a pastor who was committed to preaching God’s Word and a small group of believers that prayed for me and my church friends regularly, this lost soul soon found a home. Not merely in a church but in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Everything about that church was typical of small rural churches. No one was trained to teach other than the pastor, yet I had many teachers. No one was trained to counsel other than the pastor, but I had many counselors. If there was a Sunday School chairperson I had no idea who it was. Everyone seemed to play a role in my life.
Not to sound selfish, but I believe God had everyone at that church just for me. I know that was not the case but it sure felt that way.
It was at that church that I learned to volunteer in the lives of others. It was there that I began to help with the younger children through a puppet ministry and in dressing like a clown with my friend to help with VBS and even visit hospitals.
It was there that I was given the opportunity to attend summer camps with no cost to my family through memorizing scripture. A genius idea by the way. I memorized 140 verses that summer and when need be, God brings them to mind when I need to remember.
It was at that church that I first played guitar in front of others. It was also the place where I could sing without ridicule. The pastor even graciously gave me the opportunity to preach a couple of sermons while still in high school.
Now some may argue that small churches should close their doors to support the mega churches. I would argue the opposite should happen. Though, I hate to see any church close.
Even today, we might have the smallest congregation in Burt County at First Baptist Church in Oakland. But I trust the Holy Spirit is working in the life of our youth just as he did in Ft. Calhoun.
Let me encourage anyone who steps into any form of ministry within a church. It may seem trivial at the time but know that God is using you in ways that you can’t even begin to imagine. No, you likely don’t have the training some churches might require. You may not feel like you are able to do the job. Trust me when I say that if God wants to use you in the lives of others… He is going to use you.
So when you get tired and feel underprepared, don’t give up. When the kids can’t stop laughing through prayer time, don’t give up. I am so grateful that my little church in Ft. Calhoun didn’t give up on me.
And by the way, I am sorry for spinning donuts in the gravel parking lot making a mess of things. I finally did grow up. Well… mostly.
