Crossroads Church in Palmerston North recently ran a Next Gen Service, we spoke to Youth Pastor Ezra Meehan:
"It was so awesome to have our Next Gen Service, where our young people took the lead in many aspects of the gathering. Worship, MCing, sharing testimonies—it was really special to see the next generation stepping into their gifts, serving confidently, and sharing their faith with the wider church family."
One of those testimonies came from young adults Joel and Corbyn (pictured above) who spoke about an outreach they've been doing. They head into town in Palmy in the evenings to be around people who are out drinking and intoxicated. They're there to chat, and hand out sausages, and share the love of Jesus.
Joel says the idea to start the outreach started when he was driving in his work van early in the morning.
"I just asked the Lord if he could just work in me during that day, just in any way possible. I felt it really heavy on my heart that we should go out and share the love of Jesus with the people in town. I've seen firsthand the effects of alcohol and what it does to people and how lost they are. I just felt that that would be awesome if we could just be that light in their night."
He called his mate Corbyn and everything fell into place. Corbyn says they both know what it is like to be in these spaces, and how lost you can feel.
"We know what it feels like to live for the weekend, thinking that there is really nothing else after death... and we know God's heart for people and have the opportunity to share... We still get really nervous and stressed out and anxious about heading out, but we also know and feel this real strong conviction from God. And now when we step out, it's like we step out with so much joy, the testimonies that we get to see unfolding... people's hearts are so open to hearing the Word of God. And we have such a good opportunity to share this love, to share the gospel."
Corbyn says they have opportunities to pray for people, to speak to them about faith, and some people respond by acknowledging that they want to get plugged into a local church, or by wanting to start seeking God.
Youth Pastor Ezra Meehan says sharing these testimonies is part of encouraging the whole church to live for God.
"This year the theme was ‘Fire in My Bones’—looking at the fire we’re seeing in the next generation and their hunger for God, and encouraging the wider church to live with the same fire. When we make room for young people to grow in leadership, discover their calling, and be part of the mission of the Church, we find it inspires the whole congregation as they witness their passion, faith, and willingness to step out in obedience to God. One of the highlights is always the kids item, where they lead the church in a song. This year they led I Know That I Know with actions and dancing."
