I felt like the proud mama (or proud bigger sister) of the kids (who are now adults) who showed up at the youth group reunion this past weekend for folks involved with the youth ministry in the 80’s and 90’s from San Diego First Assembly of God.

Seriously, I am so proud of them. In the midst of all the focus we give at FYI to kids who struggle in their transition to college, it was great to see kids who had transitioned to college well and who were serving the Lord.

And I mean serving the Lord. So many of them are active in ministry - volunteering, as well as serving part-time and full-time in their churches. And those who have marketplace careers are clearly integrating their faith with their job.

It was a good reminder to me of the importance of encouraging kids to prayerfully consider entering ministry. One youth pastor told me recently, “When I was a high school student, our youth pastor encouraged us to consider full-time ministry all the time. Half of my high school small group is in ministry. As I look at the students I lead, they hardly ever end up in ministry.” I doubt he’s alone in that.

Not that ministry is the end-all, be-all. Not at all. But as we sense God’s leading - let me be more personal: as I sense God’s leading - I’m going to start raising the possibility of ministry with kids who are potentially on that path. Like I posted yesterday, conversations matter and I want to make this more part of my conversations with kids.