Thankful. Encouraged. Humbled. Inspired. These are some of the many emotions that I experienced during this year’s HOPE worldwide Global Summit. Though working alongside HOPE worldwide and changing the world seems like an impossible dream, God has been providing me with opportunities to make that dream a reality. The Global Summit only increased my desire to change the world -- with God’s signature all over it.
The Global Summit was a huge blessing and encouragement to HOPE worldwide’s NYAC (National Youth Advisory Council). God moved in incredible ways through the all the messages; each one touched our hearts in different ways. This conference provided the NYAC with the resources and support we need to successfully change the culture of our campus and teen ministries to be more focused on service.
On Friday night, John Porter, the evangelist of the South Florida Church of Christ, taught a powerful lesson. He called us to be lights of the world in the same way that Jesus was: by allowing love to hold dominance over our lives. Jesus spent all of his time with outcasts and was constantly meeting their needs. We began to ask ourselves, “Are we serving people as a lifestyle, or do we serve only when we are called or when it is convenient?” It is so easy to justify why we are not serving instead of seeing why we should be. But our understanding of God’s grace is incomplete when we choose not to serve. James 2:18 says, “But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.”
We were challenged to deepen the conviction of our hearts to serve. Are we constantly serving God’s people with all of our hearts in the way Christ did? Do our actions directly point people to God? Are we utilizing the power that God has placed inside of us? We must continue to humble our hearts before the foot of the cross and to remember the sacrifice and grace that has been given to us. Our actions are meaningless unless they are done through and for Jesus. I want to eagerly serve with no reservations in my heart as a response of gratitude for all that God has done for me.
In the Youth Programs class, we were able to talk about the importance of mobilizing the youth to serve in their local communities. As young people, we can make a huge impact on the world by surpassing the expectations set for us; God has called us to do great things, despite our age. “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).” We have great potential; but without direct action, potential goes to waste. God’s word motivates and inspires us to be powerful forces in calling people’s hearts to God (1 Timothy 4:12; 2 Timothy 1:7). Youth Programs, such as HYC (HOPE Youth Corps), NYAC, and GSI (Global Service Internship) instill a constant thirst for God; they empower and support the youth to do amazing things, and teach us how to love the world with the love of Christ. This world needs servants as leaders, not just leaders who serve. NYAC has already done amazing things, and I am so excited to see what God has planned for us.
Hearing the stories about how God is using people around the world to provide various health and social services was truly amazing. My heart was deeply moved from learning how these programs are ameliorating devastation and deprivation worldwide. It is incredible how disciples have such a great impact when they unite to respond to needs. Resources may be few, but God can use what little we do have to do big things. The Summit helped me realize that I need to be more grateful for the blessings that God has given me, and that I need to take those blessings and eagerly use them to serve others. I am currently studying Social Work at Indiana University, and my dream is to become a social worker and use my education and talents to serve around the world through HOPEww programs.
As long as God is my motivation, I know that I can achieve anything. I was very encouraged to speak with various HOPE worldwide leaders at the Summit, and I am humbled and inspired by all of their encouragement and support for the direction God is taking me and the NYAC. I could not be more thankful to the NYAC leaders, Will Archer and Stacy Fridley, for their leadership and the work they have done for the NYAC family, and to all who helped make the Summit so impactful. I am eager to see how God uses the NYAC to glorify Himself and spread his gospel. “Here am I. Send me!”
Courtney is the secretary of NYAC and a student at Indiana University.