It’s the week of Thanksgiving! Bring on the turkey, the stuffing, naps while watching football, and all the traditions we enjoy during this season of gratitude.
As a guy that works with college students and young adults and their leaders across North America, I want to take a moment to celebrate why I’m so thankful for the young adults in our communities and in our churches. Here is a short list of why I’m thankful I get to work alongside them and their leaders.
1. They are passionate.
When young adults set their mind on something, they follow it with passion and heart! That’s why I love seeing young adults fall deeply in love with Jesus because it’s not just “something they do” but it truly is who they are. When young adults embrace their vocation along with their walk with Christ, it’s a spectacular thing to watch.
2. They are compassionate.
Millennials and Generation Z are some of the most cause-oriented generations we have ever seen. The injustices they see around the world deeply stir them and call them to action. Success in their lives is not defined by six figure salaries, but by making a difference in a world that is faced with significant challenges. It will be a different world if young adults who are deep followers of Jesus continue to shape the culture with this compassionate heart for others.
3. They are smart and creative.
I continue to be amazed at the amount of creativity that young adults possess. From young adults that I work with to those that I interact with in my community, they possess a great deal of intelligence coupled with creativity. The mantra of “we’ve always done it that way before” is going to be challenged by young adults.
4. They believe anything is possible.
When young adults see that something matters, they are put everything they have into seeing it happen. When Jesus tells us in Acts 1:8 to go to “Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth,” it’s the young adults that are the ones that are going to be taking the Gospel to the places that have never heard about Jesus. They are just crazy enough to hike the mountains of the Himalayas to the remotest villages of the world to take the Gospel.
5. They are FUN.
My family has the joy of hosting a group of college students and young adults in our home every week for a small group Bible study. That night of the week is without doubt our favorite night of the week. The joy, laughter, and FUN that this group brings into our home is a refreshing reminder that life is meant to have lots of fun moments with the people that we love and care for.
6. They have depth.
They push me to have more than the easy answers to questions. Young adults possess a depth that allows them to interact with the culture they find themselves living and working in at a deeper level than was asked or required of many of us in previous generations. There is a desire to go beyond the information of faith to allowing the Scriptures to shape every part of who they are.
We have so much to be thankful for when we think about the exciting days that are ahead for the young adults in our churches. And I’m THANKFUL that I get to walk alongside them and pass along a little wisdom of the things I’ve learned along the way.
“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you because the news of your faith is being reported in all the world.” Romans 1:8
Take some time this week to be thankful for the young adults in your life. What are other areas that you would add to this list?
Mark Whitt is the Collegiate and Young Adult Specialist at Lifeway Christian Resources. Before joining Lifeway, he spent many years on the campus of Murray State University as a campus minister. Connect with Mark via Twitter.