Hearing the melody of worship songs, over a dozen young believers stepped onto the stage, dancing gracefully to the music. The sisters danced with gentle and fluid movements. The brothers made movements of street dance and martial arts to incorporate the scene. They were rehearsing for the Christmas celebration of the youth fellowship at Church W.
Five years ago, the same youth fellowship had only five members. Today, it has grown to over 20 with vitality.
For a long time in the past, the age structure of this church, which is in a small town in China West, was notably imbalanced. There were relatively few believers in their 40s and 50s. A large proportion of members were over 60, while some were in their 30s and 40s.
That is not uncommon in traditional churches. On the one hand, most local young people in western China move away for better opportunities. Moreover, there is a huge gap between the young people and the traditional faith in terms of lifestyles and values. They face multiple pressures and temptations from schools, careers, and social life, causing a relatively low level of interest and participation in the faith. On the other hand, the church's customary activities and communication methods are more suitable for the needs of middle-aged and elderly believers, perhaps not appealing to young people.
Meanwhile, the church's past leadership influenced its age structure. The former leader was oriented to maintaining the tradition and the stability of the older congregation, lacking systematic considerations and innovative measures to attract young believers. Although the current leader acknowledges the importance of the youth group, due to limited resources and staff, they also face certain challenges.
It is encouraging to see that, under God's guidance and through the efforts of several key co-workers, its youth fellowship achieved a breakthrough, growing from five to over 20 members.
Pastor C, a man in his 30s, is one of the key leaders behind the growth of the youth fellowship. He lives in another city, which is 900 kilometers away from Town W. Five years ago, after knowing the current church leader, he was invited to serve full-time at Church W. Although he has to travel between the two places once every month, he remains steadfast in his commitment to his faith.
Pastor C is enthusiastic. When he first came to serve at Church W, the church's worship band had just been formed. Knowing that no one could play the tuba, he volunteered to learn from scratch. After several months of diligent practice, he could play the instrument. Today, he seamlessly blends into the band, playing with brothers and sisters. He is also learning other instruments like the guitar and the bass to continually improve his musical abilities and to better serve the church.
His humble attitude is evident in all aspects of his service: preaching, visiting believers at home, giving rides, rehearsing, and so on. He is willing to help wherever there is a need. He can work well with elderly believers and connect well with his peers, acting as a bridge among different generations.
Another key co-worker is Pastor Wang, a sister who recently graduated from a well-known seminary. Her parents are devout Christians. She grew up in the church environment, developing a deep affection for it. After graduation, she gave up opportunities to pursue careers in a big city and returned to her hometown church to serve. She is responsible for decorating for Christmas, taking photos, producing videos, and managing the church's public account on WeChat. She aims to appeal more to the tastes and needs of young people through various innovative activities of the church.
Also, there is a young believer brother from the neighboring county, whose parents are both devout believers. His father experienced a significant life transformation after coming to faith, which gave him a deep understanding and firm belief in the Lord from a young age. He is preparing to study in a seminary, hoping to better serve the church through his professional and systematic studies.
Under the guidance of these core co-workers, the activities of the youth fellowship are no longer limited to gatherings and prayers in the traditional way. They organize outdoor activities like archery and hiking, share meals, celebrate birthdays, and share the joys and sorrows of their lives.
A recently baptized brother shared that he was led by a brother from the church. Gradually, he began to explore the faith and integrate into church life. After coming to faith, his lifestyle changed as he quit drinking and reduced smoking. Although his friends do not understand him and his family opposes him, he holds firm to his faith and constantly engages in church activities and evangelizes his relatives and friends.
The youth fellowship in Town W has also attracted young people who come from other places but are working locally, such as brothers and sisters from Hubei province who work in the decoration industry. Their flexible schedules allow them to participate more actively in the fellowship.
The church leaders and elderly believers have gradually recognized the importance of young people and given them more opportunities to serve, encouraging them to use their talents and abilities. In return, the youth fellowship contributes to the church, with members participating in celebration performances and venue decorations during important holidays like Christmas.
Originally published by the Gospel Times
- Edited by Karen Luo and translated by Charlie Li
