April 2008

They came from the towns of Barre, Montpelier, Orange, Websterville, Berlin, East Montpelier and Washington. Some came alone, others in groups. Some knew each other and quickly joined in the conversation, others stayed off to the side trying to decide where they fit in. Some grew up in church and knew the "lingo," some came from other faith traditions and struggled to connect their previous background with what they were hearing and still others knew nothing about spirituality and watched with intense curiosity what was going on around them. What joined all these diverse individuals together was their age. Each was a teenager and had gathered at the Faith Community Church on the first Friday of April for the first youth led worship service that our church has hosted. The worship band was made up entirely of teens. Both the corporate prayers and the small prayer groups were led by teens. The testimonies and special music were all delivered by teens. Only the short devotion at the end was done by an adult. Forty seven teens and 9 adult youth workers spent 90 minutes praising God and giving Him glory. They also managed to eat 15 pizzas, nearly 300 cookies, a pot of coffee and ten 2 liters of soda.

I believe there is a God inspired revival happening among the teens of Central Vermont. I am pleased that God has seen fit to put our congregation in the middle of it. In a time when many congregations are losing their young people and watching their membership slide into decline, our church has seen a mighty outpouring of God's Spirit wash over teenagers. May God, in His all powerful wisdom, continue to work in the hearts of the next generation. May God raise up leaders from within this new generation that will carry the church to new levels of spiritual intimacy with God.

Please be praying for the next youth led worship experience that will happen on the first Friday of May.

In Anticipation of His Return,
Pastor Terry Dorsett