Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

If you are at all familiar with Pastor LeClaire Litchfield, you know the spontaneity of the eternally energetic man.

This past Sabbath, he drove Brandon Bell, Emily Craft, and myself to a church he used to pastor in Knoxville. We didn’t find out until Wednesday.

Nevertheless, we all accepted the challenge set before us: for three teenagers to lead out in the sermon at a Seventh-day Adventist church.

The night before and on the ride up we prayed fervently for the Holy Spirit to move in the congregation.

Pulling into the church lot at 9:00 a.m. I felt the most spiritually charged and the most peace I have witnessed in a long time.

“I wasn’t as intimidated as I thought it would be . . . I was anxious and excited to do it” Bell said.

Sitting on stage, I looked out and saw something I haven’t ever seen before in a church: a multi-generational congregation. And I don’t mean just two generations–I mean three or four. The atmosphere was so alive: filled with silent curiosity and rapt attention.

We talked about what God wants for Christmas, and Emily shared a small slice of her testimony.

“It was very fulfilling to be used by God to speak to all ages groups of the church, and not only be heard, but listened. I felt very respected,” Craft said.

It showed me that a church can also be a community. How not only is it possible, but necessary. I believe that is what God wants church to be like: open-minded, involved, with youth leading and growing with a supportive community to help.

This generation needs to step up to the plate and start playing ball. God did His greatest miracles and acts through young people.

Click here to view the recorded sermon.