Two fun and spunky groups arrived within moments of one another. Questions and sleeping bags flew everywhere as the groups from South Dakota and Pennsylvania unloaded and unpacked. Their joy and excitement were evident from the start, as were their willingness to serve and laugh.

Several guitars walked past me, a few air mattresses and it took everything in me to not let my imagination wander into the unknown and the possibilities. It was hard to remain present and welcome them as the possibilities rolled past me. The other thing that surprised me was the amount of young men. I’m not going to lie, in what I’ve noticed over the last few years, there is a distinct lack of boys and men in the church. This group is displaying almost an equal amount.

Our first night of worship with them was fun and full of the open hopes that all of us leaders have for them. Some went to bed unsure and uneasy about the prospects the next day held, while others slept deeply and peacefully, and still some were up with excitement and chatting.

But the exciting thing is the willingness to participate and to jump into what comes, to work together and to have faith that even though they might not see the finished product, to believe that they are a part of something greater. They have chosen to participate and to believe that what they do serves a greater purpose than their own agendas. It’s taught me a lot of humility and to hope.

Thanks for reading.