Usually on New Year’s Eve, we prepare to exit one year and embrace a new one. This year is no different. Only this day, Debbie and I are privileged to share that time with thousands of youth and youth leaders in Anaheim, Calif., at our Foursquare NexGen Summit ’07! I would not want to be any other place. These kids (you can say that when you’re in your 50s) represent the face of Foursquare for the next several decades!
I’m part of a generation that needs to GIVE a blessing and they are part of a generation that is in NEED of a blessing! Paul, in his letter to a son-in-the-faith Timothy, declared that the one important lesson in life is to deposit what you know in someone who is also committed to deposit it in someone else (see 2 Timothy 2:2)!
In the Old Testament, Essau was desperate for a blessing. He cried: “Bless me, too!” In many ways, the present generation represents a huge vacuum of potential. They are sometimes left in the wake of busy parents and leaders who are often so preoccupied with doing the work of the ministry that they forget that investing in, training and mentoring this next generation IS the work of the ministry!
This generation is twice as likely to drink, be violent and get involved with pornography. They are three times as likely to steal and six times as likely to attempt suicide. More kids of this generation are living without their fathers than any previous generation. They need us and we need them!
Join with Pastor Jack, James Craft, me and a host of others who are recommitting ourselves to leave a lasting imprint in the hearts and lives of these valuable young disciples. The future of The Foursquare Church is dependent on a solid vision and a succession plan! Go ahead and invite a young leader for an outing and maybe a cappuccino/latte/double shot espresso. If you pay, they’ll be there!
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By: Glenn Burris Jr., general supervisor
