The Pilot / Oct. 8
Page 5
RELIGION
Young Life trains this year's hopefuls for leadership
by Brianne Taylor
staff writer
Two weeks ago, Young Life training
began preparing students for leadership
at area iiigh schools Shelby, Crest and
Kings Mountain.
Approximately 15 students are attend
ing the fall sessions and hope to take on
leadership positions in February.
Young Life, an international Christian
organization that reaches about 30
countries, has existed in Cleveland
County for 50 years.
Organized as a club that meets once a
week, Young Life offers skits, songs.
games and a"club talk" that shares the
message of Christ with high school
students.
The training sessions, led by Sid
Bradsher and Nicole Howard, meet once
a week for a little over a semester and
focus on a variety of issues.
The sessions are designed to train
students for Christian leadership.
Beginning with a study on great
leaders in the Bible, the training moves
on to consider the students' personal
beliefs and why they believe as they do.
The history of Young Life is also
explained so that its purpose and origins
will be understood and the new leaders
can see what is expected of them.
Inspirational Thoughts...
It’s an ache that lives inside of each of
us. Buried in the darkness of our souls
and covered by layers of doubts,
uncertainties and fears.
All the years of pain have made us turn
a deaf ear to its tender voice; the empty
tomb of knowledge has made us believe
it isn’t there.
But it lives. That silent longing for
something beautiful and perfect,
something secure and brilliantly strong.
Something intangible and impossible to
grasp with our desparate hands.
We catch a glimpse of it sometimes, if
we allow our shell-shocked eyes to take
in the colors of our world.
The way the light plays in endless,
contemplative eyes or the inner
wrenching at the starkness of white snow
and black trees.
It’s in the power of a touch — hands
clasped and the warmth of happy tears.
The way a simple smile can tear away all
the world’s violence in a second.
The longing for something true and
good and forever flawless, the voice of
the mightiest rivers and the purity of an
innocent child, all clean and lovely as a
newly-opened flower. So perfect we ache
at its beauty.
It’s there, for a moment, on our breath
as we dare to form the whisper ... God.
-Anonymous
BSU prepares students for
ministry here and abroad
by Mary Gettys
staff writer
Eleven people attended the Baptist
Student Union fall conference at
Ridgecrest in Black Mountain, NC on
Sept. 26-28.
The theme for the weekend was “I’m
here. What now, God?” and the BSU
emphasis for all colleges this year is
“Breaking Down the Barriers that Exist
on Our Campuses.”
Beginning with Becky Stone, a story
teller, and followed by Nancy Hastings
Sehested, these messages were delivered.
David Moore and Jim McCoy added to
the experience by worshipping with the
students through music.
BSU participants also engaged in three
of 30 seminars offered and covered a
wide range of topics.
This time allowed the students to learn
about areas of individual interest.
Students felt that the message was
presented very effectively throughout the
weekend.
"The speaker was right down on our
level. The storyteller was fabulous. She
had all of us riveted to the seats,”
remarked Daniel Pentecost.
Pentecost said the main point that he
learned from the conference was
that“sometimes you just have to shut up
and listen to God.”
Ten of the students trained at the fall
conference will have an opportunity to
work in ministry outside the state of
North Carolina.
Funds for this opportunity were
decided upon at the BSU business
meeting and will be provided from the
budget.
Nine other students will also be
selected and funded to work in areas of
the state and in foreign missions.
Last week’s Bible trivia answer: The passage
that mentions a fly in ointment is found
in Ecclesiastes 10:1.
Andy Smith, a sophomore who went
through training last year, said leaders
"hang out with the kids, lead the studies,
talk to them, just to be a friend."
"Young Life is about building relation
ships with the kids. It’s getting to know
high school students on their own turf,”
said Howard.
Relationships built in training are also
important. "The students get to be close
with others in the training class and that
helps us when they become leaders
because they already know each other,”
said Howard.
Walter Miller, a trainee, said,“ I'm
getting to know people better, and it’s
showing me areas I need to work on.”
Once they become leaders high school
visits and club meetings will always
present new opportunities for them.
"It’s different every day. You don’t
know what you’re going to do; who
you’re going to meet. Every day is a
challenge, you just have to depend on
God,” Smith said.
Miller shared that in high school Young
Life helped him both spiritually and
socially.
He now wishes to return the favor. "It’s
a good way to reach teenagers; some
times that’s hard for churches to do. I'm
really looking forward to being a leader
because I know what impact it has on
youth,” he said.
Daily Devotions
JESUS WAS A MAN OF FAITH...
HOW CAN WE BE FAITHFUL?
Friday, Oct. 7
Nehemiah 9:8
Just as Abraham was faithful we should
have a heart that is faithful to God. How
faithful has your heart been today?
Saturday, Oct. 8
I Corinthians 4:2
Remember that being faithful is not
simply a nice thing for us to do — it is
required of all stewards of the Lord.
Sunday, Oct. 9
Revelation 17:4
We are chosen, called and appointed to
be faithful. It is something God wants
from us, not something that we decided
to be for Him.
Monday, Oct. 10
James 2:17-18
The faithful show their faith. Faith in
action can become our daily witness.
l\iesday, Oct. 11
Romans 3:27
Although we may want others to know
how faithful we are to God, these two
qualities (faithfulness and
boastfulness)directly oppose each other.
We don’t need to boast — God knows
our hearts.
Wednesday, Oct, 12
I John 5:4
Overcome the world today as you
walk in faith. Born again in Christ, we
already know we have the victory over
this world.
Thursday, Oct. 13
Hebrews 10:23
Profess your faith. Let others see hov/
unwavering it is, and, in result, see a
reflection of the faithfulness of Christ.
JESUS WAS A MAN OF HOPE...
HOW CAN WE BE HOPEFUL?
Friday, Oct. 14
Hebrews 6:19
Anchor your soul to the hope that you
have in our Lord Jesus Christ. Is your
hope strong enough to anchor to?
Saturday, Oct. 15
Psalms 119:116 & Romans 5:5
Don’t be ashamed to have hope. Let
others see the hope that you have — it is
the hope they are looking for
Sunday, Oct. 16
Romans 12:12
Rejoice in the hope that you have — it
is not only your right but your duty as a
Christian.
Monday, Oct. 17
Job 11:18 & Proverbs 10:28
We should allow the security and
gladness to give us comfort. Remember
this at the end of a stressful day.
Tuesday, Oct. 18
Psalm 31:24 & 8:24-25
Draw encouragement from the strength
given you and the assurance of that
which is unseen.
Wednesday, Oct. 19
Galatians 5:5
Realize that your hope is a gift from
God — not a chore.
Thursday, Oct. 20
Colossians 12:3
Remember to show both faith and hope
in your daily walk a^ you are a tangible
reflection of Jesus Christ himself.
Bible Trivia:
In the 176 verses of Psalm 119, every verse contains a
reference to God's word, statutes, promises, decrees,
laws, ways or commands — except for two verses.
What are they?
The first person with the correct answer will receive a prize.
Write to campus box 5682.