Gathering the Gleanings: Reflections on Life in the Ministry

This past weekend 300+Lutherans gathered at the Embassy Suites at Greensboro, NC. Some may think it’s no big deal church folk gather for meetings ALL the time. However, for me this was hands down amazing. Wait for it, the majority of these Lutherans were 6-12th graders. They have given up there last weekend of February to be together. Fellowshipping, making new friends, hanging with old ones, eating of course, and most importantly learning about Jesus and deepening their relationship with him.

The roof was raised as the sang, danced and clapped when the conference band played! There was audible silence when they were moved and needed something to percolate. Laughter filled the ballroom as they played “Olympic games” in small groups and discussed “Live Like Jesus;Ball like Jesus”. (Never fully got that and guess that shows my age!)

I stand in awe as this event was planned and and carried out by a group of youth and the music lead with drums and guitars by young folk in grades 6-12. Amazing right?

It was simply awesome to be privileged to watch all this unfold. Kudos to the young ones and a few adult supporters. Who birthed this conference to reality.

The young people on the Lutheran Youth Organization of the NC Synod were sole members of the band, characters in the skits, some small group leaders – they have leadership skills! The NC synod is so deeply blessed.

I was more than blessed to have four young folk from Our Saviour’s Lutheran present and totally engaged. And yes, the majority of these times they had looks of sure excitement covering their faces.

The five Olympic rings represented five ways the young people (actually all Christians) can and should live like Jesus.

Most of the young people loved a song called Light House by Chris Llewellyn / Gareth Gilkeson

In my wrestling and in my doubts
In my failures You won’t walk out
Your great love will lead me through
You are the peace in my troubled sea, oh oh
You are the peace in my troubled sea

In the silence, You won’t let go
In the questions, Your truth will hold
Your great love will lead me through
You are the peace in my troubled sea, oh oh
You are the peace in my troubled sea

My Lighthouse, my lighthouse
Shining in the darkness, I will follow You
My Lighthouse, my lighthouse (oh oh)
I will trust the promise,
You will carry me safe to shore (Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
Safe to shore (Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
Safe to shore (Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
Safe to shore

I won’t fear what tomorrow brings
With each morning I’ll rise and sing
My God’s love will lead me through
You are the peace in my troubled sea, oh oh
You are the peace in my troubled sea, oh oh

You are my light
My Lighthouse, my lighthouse (Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
Shining in the darkness, I will follow You (Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
My Lighthouse, my lighthouse (Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
I will trust the promise,
You will carry me safe to shore (Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
Safe to shore (Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
Safe to shore (Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
Safe to shore

Fire before us, You’re the brightest
You will lead us through the storms

Fire before us, You’re the brightest
You will lead us through the storms

Fire before us, You’re the brightest
You will lead us through the storms

Fire before us, You’re the brightest
You will lead us through the storms

My Lighthouse, my lighthouse (Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
Shining in the darkness, I will follow You (Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
My Lighthouse, my lighthouse (Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
I will trust the promise,
You will carry me safe to shore (Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
Safe to shore (Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
Safe to shore (Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
Safe to shore

My Lighthouse lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing

We had some fun actions – which you can see in the picture below. The message is deep if you read over the lyrics. Christ will not walk by us and even in our doubts Christ is the light to our troubled paths. (You can google the song although as with anyone or thing the actions are a bit different). However, if you come to Our Saviour’s you may just hear and see our young people singing and dancing!