Can you believe that the summer is already coming to a close? It won’t be long before school buses will be back on the streets and churches and ministries will be launching new groups, new schedules, and new seasons of ministry.
If you were trying to avoid this reality, please resist the urge to try virtually throwing anything at me through your computer screen. Whether you minister to young adults who are college students getting ready for a new semester, young parents who are getting ready to send their little ones off to school, or working young professionals who are coming back from vacations, you are on the precipice of new ministry opportunities.
As you enter this strategic time of the year in ministry, here are three things we can be praying for our ministers and friends who are also in the trenches ministering to young adults.
- Leaders—Pray specifically for the leaders who are a part of your ministry. It might be people who are part of an official ministry team structure, teachers or small group leaders who are on the front lines of your ministry or even leaders without a “label” who are simply key people in your ministry who others respond to and watch. None of us can (or should) function alone, so be sure to pray for the others who are a significant part of your young adult ministry.
- Fresh Ministry Responsiveness—The types of changes that happen in young adults’lives as the summer ends depend on multiple factors (whether they are still in school, single, married, have kids, etc.). This reality of change, though, brings great ministry opportunity. Whether those you minister to are facing a new semester, a new job, or a new child, pray that this jolt to their lives’rhythm will bring them to a place of fresh responsiveness to the work of Christ in their lives.
- Salvations—This can be a busy season of preparation for those of us in ministry, but let’s especially not miss the opportunity in this new season to pray for God to move in the hearts and lives of those that are disconnected from Him. With the changes we just mentioned taking place, there are bound to be new gospel opportunities just around the corner. Let’s be sure to boldly ask God to bring the dead to life as only He can!
Thinking about the new season of ministry ahead can be exhausting and exhilarating all at the same time. Let’s ask God to move mightily over these next few months and be expectant for how He will prove Himself faithful over and over again!
Bill Noe is the Collegiate Ministry Specialist at Lifeway Christian Resources. A former campus minister (and current collegiate ministry volunteer at church), Bill loves being a part of seeing college students grow in their walk with the Lord. Connect with Bill on Twitter.