when it rains

One of the constants that we have encountered as we’ve worked in student ministry here in State College is the incredible turnover among our leaders.  It seems like every year is a rebuilding year, as many of our team members are PSU students.  We’ve come to embrace their inevitable departure, knowing that the time and training that we invest in them will enable them to bless the church they land in after they leave dear old State.

We are committed to an dynamic small group ministry.  Students (heck, everyone, for that matter) needs an older, more mature voice speaking into his/her life, and life change happens best in the context of a good small group/mentoring relationship.

Some seasons we find ourselves scrambling to fill the leader roles for our small groups.  This keeps us praying, and on the constant lookout for quality people to invite to our team.  Lots of years we start the school season with barely enough leaders to cover our small groups.

This year is a little different.  Over the summer we added a few solid leaders–great people!–to our depleted staff.  We figured that God would provide the leaders we need when PSU students started arriving.  I sent out a few emails, and the word has gotten around.

I can hardly believe it, but it looks like we have about 15 new leaders joining our team!  Wow!  God has blown me away…when it rains, it pours!  Now, the bulk of the newbies are interested in high school ministry, (which is great for HSM) so that means that we’re still on the lookout for middle school leaders.

I have long believed that in order for us to reach more students with the Good News–really reach them, not just get them to come to an event–we need to have a great team of leaders who will love, care, encourage, comfort, teach, and pursue life-giving relationships with students.

Maybe God is up to something in Happy Valley…