youth

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Brother Evens,

I am an assistant youth minister at a UPC church in St,Louis, and I have
noticed a similar pattern in our Pentecostal youth.  Many of them, other than
myself and several new converts, have been raised in the Truth all their
lives...they know what's right....they know God desires to use them, and deep
down, I honestly beleive that they desire to be used by Him.....However, just
as these Godly desires tug at their hearts, the desires for the things of
this world tug as well.  There is a curiosity in human nature that longs to
experience the things from which one is expected to abstain.

I suppose it is all a matter of which desires will have a stronger influence.
 If the young person has close freinds in the Church, and is surrounded by
prayer warriors fighting for his or her soul, and influencing them in a
positive way, they have a chance of being able to hang on through these
rebellious times.  However, when the young person lacks the spiritual
encouragement and nurturing, it is likely that the desires of the world will
over ride those of the Spirit, and that young person will fall away.

The best method I have found to counter this curiosity that leads to
distruction is to get the youth so involved in doing work for the Lord that
they don't have time to play with the world.  The Bible says what soever your
hands find to do do it with all your heart.  Well, soometimes young people
need assistance in finding these things to do, but if you and I as youth
workers can help each young person find a skill, talent, or ability within
themselves that can be used of God, they will find that they are a valuable
part of the Kingdom and the Church!  That feeling of being needed and
appreciated will hold a young person to the Church like nothing else will.

Lord Bless You,
Sister Jennifer
(I am just a youth my self...17)