We celebrate our youth by investing in them. Read 2 Corinthians 8:1-7. One of my favorite Scriptures about financial giving is when the Apostle Paul is writing to the Corinthians, and he describes the Macedonian churches as having the grace of giving. The Macedonian churches were not wealthy. On the contrary, they were poverty-stricken, yet “out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity". When I think about celebrating our youth today, I think about having a generous spirit toward them. At Wesley Chapel, our mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. We want to be faithful stewards of our mission by investing in our youth. First, we provide a safe and loving environment for our youth to come together. Second, we provide them with a youth director who puts together a team of servants to build relationships. Third, we invest in a curriculum that shapes their faith and teaches them to be like Jesus. Fourth, we buy snacks and drinks. (Wow! Can teenagers eat!) Fifth, we provide experiences for them to grow closer to one another and provide fun activities that might be an entrance ramp for friends to join them. Every week I tell the congregation, “We can’t do ministry without you.” I was 20 years old when I met Smitty, when we played together on a church softball team. Smitty was in his 50s, but I remember him being very passionate about investing in our youth at church. A few years ago, Smitty discovered I was the pastor of Wesley Chapel. Now Smitty is in his 90s, but his passion for youth is as strong as it has ever been. I’m grateful to be part of a church that supports our youth program in so many ways. As we think about how to be generous, we can excel in the grace of giving by praying for our youth, talking to our youth, and giving to the general fund that supports our youth. I will leave you with a link to give and a prayer. https://www.wesleychapel.org/give

God of all people, we pray for the mission of Wesley Chapel to make disciples. Help us to be faithful to the mission by supporting our youth. May they learn of your love and grow in their faith. Help us to excel in the grace of giving as we invest in our youth. Amen.