Skip to main content

Young People Shaped by God

By

by Diego dos Anjos
 
Diego is an AIM graduate, who served in Mexico, and is now back in João Pessoa, still serving Jesus while also studying to be a doctor. The following is an excerpt from his newsletter about his experience at youth camp. If you would like to receive Diego's bimonthly newsletter, write him at diego_dosanjos@hotmail.com .
 

YOUTH RETREAT IN RECIFE

          We took the youth group from the church in Joao Pessoa to the youth retreat in Recife in April. The retreat's theme was SHAPED BY GOD.

          I personally enjoy these youth retreats that we have in Northeast Brazil a lot. The main reason is because I get to see and meet so many people there. It is encouraging to know that far away from my house there are Christians who are trying to make it through life the same way I do. We face similar giants and trials, and we all want to be shaped by God… isn't that encouraging? It shows me how big Christ's Body is and that geographical barriers don't hide it. You, who are reading this newsletter right now, are probably sitting far away from me, but isn't it awesome that we praise the same God and share the same faith?

          About the theme (SHAPED BY GOD), I took lots of notes about the things we were thinking and learning during those days. I will share with you now something I don't ever want to forget: "If you have already given your life to God, you became a living instrument; He has different deeds He prepared for you to do. The more you accept the opportunities God gives you, the more He uses you." Well, but sometimes our growing process is hard and painful, so remember: "The iron suffers when it is getting shaped. So, let's stop asking 'WHY?' and start asking 'FOR WHAT?' whenever suffering and hard times hit our lives." In the church we are all shaped, depending on the purpose for which God wants to use us. The reason He shapes us is the same for everybody: to glorify His name, make us more like Christ and show the love which is able to save the sinful ones. But there are different ways He will do it because we, as human beings, are all different. The point I am saying is this: even the fork, the spoon and the knife are made with the same material, we use them in different situations, but the purpose is always the same – to feed us. God wants to use you in His Kingdom. He wants to shape each one of us according to His eternal purpose. I hope you let Him work through you because I know He will do amazing things if you do.

        Anyways… we had about 100 people there, and it was great to catch up, hang out, and have fun together with other Christians. It was a bit weird, though, to see young people taller than me who were just little kids a few years ago.

          The next youth retreat will be in November - its theme is SHINY YOUTH and our João Pessoa youth group will organize it.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Consecration

By
           We know that God can do anything. The question is what will He do? What will the Lord do in the lives of His people when they consecrate themselves to Him? We hope to find out.           Friday, May 22 nd , the Luna congregation had an all night vigil of consecration. We went from 9 pm to 5:30 am, and over 50 people participated, from the ages of 10 to 75 years. In the prayer corner, brothers and sisters signed up for time slots so that we would have prayer without ceasing. The vigil focused on Consecrating our Lives, in Gratitude, in Unity, in Service, and in Sharing . Each part consisted of prayer, singing, Bible Reading and Reflection, and practical activities, like in Service, we washed everyone’s feet, and then everybody joined in making breakfast for the group: homemade bread, fruit, tapioca and eggs, juice, and coffee. In Sharing, we ended with a wonderful meal together in family, talking about people with whom we want to share the gospel.           Spend
Post a Comment
Read more

Luna Men

By
The men of the Luna church of Christ have a weekly meeting for the purpose of edification and planning God's work in the congregation. Some are going strong, others have family problems, and we all want to grew in God's purpose for our lives.  Last night's meeting included a discussion of what really happened on the cross, on resting in Lord in the Psalms. We made plans about the upcoming Carnaval (Mardi Gras) retreat, and talked about the need to do some manual labor on our building.  Though the group was smaller this week, there is a hunger to serve. Five out of the six committed spending Wednesday ripping up a big wall that needs to be redone. Whether leading, studying, admonishing, evangelizing, or tearing up a wall, let God use us to His glory!
Post a Comment
Read more

Pentecost in Paraíba

By
"This is Pentecost in Cajazeiras," Rivaldo Café said, "Almost three thousand were baptized in Jerusalem, almost ten in Cajazeiras." A wild comparison, of course, but the excitement that produced it was legitimate. Six young men gave their lives to Jesus and were baptized on Saturday.   I was blessed to be there: the sixteen hours on a bus, going and coming, was worth it. I went to teach a weekend couples' seminar on the theme "God Gave Me You". The couples (around 12) were mostly parents of kids in the Right Step Program. The changes in these boys' lives have made an impression on the families, many of which have started Bible studies too.   Saturday morning, after the soccer practice, three of the boys asked to be baptized. We headed to the building. Café began filling the portable swimming pool while I talked to the boys about what it means to come into the Family of God.     Franze (15 yrs), Luam (14 yrs), Jorcelam (17 yrs)
Post a Comment
Read more