The world we live in is one filled with confusion and misplaced hope. There isn't one person who hasn't at one point in their lives asked themselves "Who am I? Why am I here?" There are people all over the world who will spend their entire lives soul-searching trying to find their purpose - their "true self". Some will never find it, because the truth is, we cannot look within ourselves to find our purpose.
The days of young adulthood can be especially trying. Pressures will come at every angle between school, home, social life, work and finding the balance of fitting in and feeling accepted by those around them while at the same time maintaining their individual identity. But what if they don't find the acceptance they're looking for? And if they do, what happens when they still feel empty? Where do they turn to determine their value?
We believe that there is no security in any of those things. Popularity, acceptance, happiness, and success can all come and go, and are never guaranteed. Our security is in our true value, which is found in Jesus Christ. In the words of Rick Warren, "You won't discover life's meaning by looking within yourself. You didn't create yourself, so there is no way you can tell yourself what you were created for! It is only in God that we discover our origin, our identity, our meaning, our purpose, our significance, and our destiny."
So why do we get together on Monday nights? Why do we invite kids to come enjoy their friends, foosball, games, tasty food, and a good message? The youth leaders have all experienced the love of Christ, and know that it's something that must be shared, because it's different than any love you can find in the world. That's why we love to spend time with, talk to, and have fun with these kids; because we know - and want them to know - that they are each a priceless and individual being. Above all else, we want every youth to realize that they are treasured by God, and were created for a unique purpose. We hope and pray that they will discover their amazing potential by growing in a personal relationship with Jesus.
"For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him." Colossians 1:16