Interview with James

Interview with James

Youth group is…

A place where God’s word is taught, and that it is a place for mutual encouragement and supporting each other in the faith, but also explaining and preaching the gospel to all who will hear.

What do you remember of your first time at youth group?

Can’t exactly remember the ‘first time’ at youth because that would’ve been over 10 years ago but my first experience of youth group was in 1998 at the youth camp up at Anglesea where I committed my life to Christ

What do you think new-comers need?

God… haha no but seriously, I guess we need to show them an example of Christ love, being in a community that is eager to do God’s work.

What does being chair/co-chairperson of the YG mean? What does the role involve?

Being chair person/co-chair we just sort of over look the running of the youth group, quite a bit of admin work, but also taking care of the spiritual welfare of the leaders and members. Whilst doing that having a faith and trust in God in all that we do. I guess both Amy and I hope to be able to help each and everyone through issues concerning their lives, sharing in that fellowship and being like Christ.

What do you hope to see happen in the YG this year?

That everyone becomes independently dependant on God. I hope that in this year of YG people will read the Bible for themselves, seeking God first and foremost in their lives. And making every effort in increasing in the faith and hope that Jesus offers.

Please give us a brief description of your co-chair.

Amy hmm, I can boast that I have known Amy the longest out of anyone at youth group! The first time we met, she gave me $800 dollars and I ran off. I’ll let Amy explain why I ran off and what happened to that $800 dollars haha.

Amy has just grown leaps and bounds, she came to the YG first in 2005, and got baptized that year as well, and she actually got baptized before me even though I accepted Christ in 1998. She is so grounded by the word of God, and so humble in all that she does, she is a great leader and example for the girls in the youth group.

Amy has faithfully followed Christ, I know she has struggles but she is so dependent on God it is a great encouragement for me.

Amy’s faith and perseverance puts mine to shame, I come from a Christian upbringing she does not, but to see how much God has worked in her life, I praise Him for that. A great lifelong friend indeed.

My all time favourite verse(s) from the bible is…

Wouldn’t say its all time favourites, different things hit me at different stages in my spiritual walk, these are the ones currently hitting me… albeit a bit hard as well.

Titus 2:11-15

¹¹For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, ¹²training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, ¹³ waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, ¹⁴who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

¹⁵Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

Talking about the Grace of God and how it trains us, gives us hope, and also separates us and making us his people.(1 Peter 2:9)

2 Timothy 2

¹You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ²And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. ³Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. ⁴No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer. ⁵Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. ⁶The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. ⁷Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

⁸Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, ⁹for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained. ¹⁰Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

Again talking about the grace that is in Christ Jesus, it challenges me to teach to those who are worthy to teach, to endure like a soldier for Christ, Compete like an athlete, and be hard working like a farmer. Remembering Christ’s resurrection, enduring through everything for his word and hoping in the life that comes with following Christ.

Isaiah 66:2

²All these things my hand has made,

and so all these things came to be,

declares the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look:

he who is humble and contrite in spirit

and trembles at my word.

Everything made by God (1 Colossians 1:16), so the authority that you have as a creator of all things, but he shows favor to those who are humble and have a repentant heart, but the last part I love, who ‘trembles at my word’ understanding the power that comes from God’s word.

Sometimes newspapers report that there are fewer youth going to church than in the past. Why do you think this is so?

Fewer youths going to church compared to the past because of youths today are so engrossed in the culture of this world, the consumerism, the entitlement and the individualism. Youths today cannot live in a community which aims to serve one another anymore, self seeking only looking or focusing on their own needs.

They are expecting a perfect church to suit their needs, and unwilling to commit because of the fear of a wrong decision, hard work and its ramifications, and because they would rather be served than to serve.

Finally, any prayer requests?

Pray for Amy and I that we would faithfully and obediently follow what has been given set out before us to do as Co-chairs, that we will do it whilst being led by the Holy Spirit, remembering Christ’s sacrifice.