Small Churches in Small Cities
For many of you who have been praying for me on this prayer tour, seriously, thank you. It's been great so far and hopefully you'll see a glimpse of what I've been experiencing through these blogs. Among the things that stood out to me on this trip, the lobster dishes, endless sushi and steak, burgers and shakes, the most glaring item of them all was actually the dearth of youth pastors in small churches in small cities.
Dr. Kim related the situation perfectly to that of doctors moving to the big cities. "Every big city has their big doctors," he said, "but how many people go to the small towns to get their tumors removed?" Okay, I emphasized, paraphrased and interpreted that last line from him a bit, but you get the idea!
I've lived in very large Korean communities so very rarely did I ever encounter a group of youth students run around unchecked for very long. Either the Korean adults hired a random temp with decent enough English to keep the kids in order OR the youth group hit a gold mine in amazing, life changing youth pastors, many of whom I am much indebted to.
But the glaring realization I have found in the small cities of Kenner, Louisiana; Huntsville, Alabama; Stillwater and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma is that there are good kids in these small Korean churches, but no youth pastors to embrace them, to nourish them, and to model for them.
How do I know this? Yes, besides the fact that there is no mention, on an already skeleton list of church staff members, of the most under-appreciated clergyman in the church today (the youth pastor) - the kids that I have met on this tour are genuinely sad to see me (and Jefferson) leave them.
What?!
I know!
Now before you scoff and dismiss me as arrogant, hear me out. We spent maybe a day at most or an hour at least with some of these kids (ages ranging from middle school to high school). As soon as we started talking and showing interest in their lives, we’d see them come alive! They excitedly tell us about the small things they enjoy in their cities, their aspirations to go to West Point and their hopes of living out of state. There's something about coming from a "big city" to meet them out in the middle of nowhere PLUS engage with them on a personal level that gets the excitement stirring.
But the worst part is when we have to say our goodbyes. That's when you see it in their faces. A sort of "Good things never last forever" dismay broods over some while others hold onto a slimmer of hope that maybe someday I'll get to meet that cool guy wearing an LA hat when I go to California (talking about me by the way...). Haha.
And every time I see it, it pains me. I grew up with amazing youth pastors. I can definitely say that each one has left a lasting imprint on both my spiritual life and day-to-day living. I arduously mimicked their behaviors, I followed their sports teams, and I grew tremendously from their teachings of God's Word. At many times, they were surrogate fathers to me in times where I felt fatherless. These were men of God who carried me through my toughest times.
Most of you know exactly what I'm talking about. I'm sure there are some who were probably hurt by their youth pastors and don't want to align themselves with the fuzzy memories I bring to the table. Believe me, I've handled my fair share of pains from some of them as well, but, at least they were there. And if they weren't there for you, do you remember the pain and the wish for someone to have been there?
That's precisely the conviction I am getting at. And even at the risk of sounding naive and newbish for wanting that for every child in America, ladies and gentlemen, that is my dream.
My dream is for the small churches in small cities. My dream is for Alex* of Stillwater, Oklahoma to have an older brother mentor to show him not only how to catch a football but how to stand tall as a man of God. My dream is for Isaiah and Sam* of Kenner, Louisiana to be taught not just how to open and grill live oysters but taught the all surpassing truth of God. My dream is for little Melissa* of Oklahoma City, to know not only how to dress to impress but to know the amazing love of the Father.
If you are currently serving in the youth department of your church, don't give up. You're changing lives on an eternal scale. And if you come from small churches yourselves, go back and serve there. Be a part of someone else's formative years and bring new life in places that may need a spark to get things going.
Yes this may be my dream, but I also know that these are the dreams of My Father.
"Let the children come to Me," Jesus says to His disciples. "Don't hinder them. For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:14).
This is dedicated to the youth pastors that have tirelessly pushed to teach me how to open and understand the Word of God. It is because of your efforts, that I was able to come to Jesus.
So, thank you.
Sam
*Names have been changed.