Reflection and Relevance of Ministry to Children and Youth
Ephesians 6:12-13
St. John’s United Church of Christ
Greeley, Colorado
Juvenal Cervantes, Pastor
July 31, 2022
One of the songs I remember in Vacation Bible Schools was “I’m in the Lord’s Army.” Here are the lyrics of the song:
I may never march in the infantry
Ride in the cavalry
Shoot the artillery
I may never shoot for the enemy
But I'm in the Lord's army!
I'm in the Lord's army!
I'm in the Lord's army!
I may never march in the infantry
Ride in the cavalry
Shoot the artillery
I may never shoot for the enemy
But I'm in the Lord's army!
I may never march in the infantry
Ride in the cavalry
Shoot the artillery
I may never shoot for the enemy
But I'm in the Lord's army!
I'm in the Lord's army!
Yes Sir!
I'm in the Lord's army!
Yes sir!
I may never march in the infantry
Ride in the cavalry
Shoot the artillery
I may never shoot for the enemy
But I'm in the Lord's army!
I'm in the Lord's army!
The fact is that life is spiritual warfare. Consider the words of Paul to the Ephesians:
For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against persons without bodies—the evil rulers of the unseen world, those mighty satanic beings and great evil princes of darkness who rule this world; and against huge numbers of wicked spirits in the spirit world.
So use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy whenever he attacks, and when it is all over, you will still be standing up. (Ephesians 6:12,13)
Children and youth are not exempt from the pressures and challenges of life. It should not hurt to be a child, however, many children regularly experience domestic violence, bullying, engage in illicit drug use, promiscuity, and they are under increasing duress to fit-in and adhere to behavior that is toxic, irrational, and amoral.
Additionally, children and youth are impacted by mental health. Jena Hausmann, CEO of Children's Hospital Colorado, declared a "State of Emergency" in youth mental health today, a first in the 117-year history of the hospital system.
"Right now, Colorado's children uniquely need our help," Hausmann said. "It has been devastating to see suicide become the leading cause of death for Colorado’s children. For over a decade, Children’s Colorado has intentionally and thoughtfully been expanding our pediatric mental health prevention services, outpatient services and inpatient services, but it is not enough. Now we are seeing our pediatric emergency departments and our inpatient units overrun with kids attempting suicide and suffering from other forms of major mental health illness."
The reality is that health challenges facing kids have gone beyond crisis levels, and the organizations that serve kids are overwhelmed. Many children, families, local schools, county governments and healthcare facilities are at their breaking points.
There is a skyrocketing demand for pediatric mental health services. The top complaint being addressed in Children's Colorado's emergency rooms today is kids in a mental health crisis. Health facilities have seen a trend of low-level anxiety and depression becoming exacerbated by the isolation and stress of the pandemic then turning into suicide attempts.
"I've been in practice for over 20 years in pediatrics and I've never seen anything like the demand for mental health services we've seen at Children's Colorado in the past 15 months," said David Brumbaugh, MD, Chief Medical Officer for Children’s Colorado. "There have been many weeks in 2021 and 2022 that the number one reason for presenting to our emergency department is a suicide attempt. Our kids have run out of resilience – their tanks are empty."
Many children are experiencing proximal abandonment – a general term applied to children “abandoned” by parents and caregivers, when the latter are too engaged with technology, or other distraction, to effectively meet the emotional needs of the former.
Ministry to children and youth is vital because we are in a spiritual warfare and we need God in our lives to win the battle and we are God’s ministers in a broken and hurting world.
The gospel of Jesus Christ helps us today and tomorrow. Through faith in Jesus Christ we receive salvation and eternal life. Jesus Christ can help us in our daily living.
Many people feel that Jesus Christ is just another option in this world and that we’re all going to the same place, heaven.
What some fail to realize is that heaven is a perfect place and we must be perfect to go to heaven. Revelation 21:27 inform us, “Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”
Sin must be punished. We have common sense in our judicial system to punish those who perpetuate evil or disobey the law. Likewise, God must punish sin.
Sin was punished, obliterated and forgiven when Jesus died on our behalf. “Christ never sinned but God put our sin on Him. Then we are made right with God because of what Christ has done for us” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Children and young people need to know Jesus Christ and invite him into their hearts for forgiveness and new life.
Emerging research suggests that children and youth who have in their lives an adult who is a positive and supportive role model have a great probability of success in school and in life.
As we begin a new school year, I challenge you to do what you can to encourage, support, advocate and serve children and young people. How will you invest in the lives of our children and youth?