Missions Moment by Melanie Cooper, Special Interest Missionary Assoc./Refit

Where there is no vision the people perish — Proverbs 29:18

As missionaries in Mexico, David and Joyce Anderson Reed face many challenges. Joyce shares several key points in a recent newsletter. The Reeds have been sharing the vision of equipping youth to be leaders in Southern Baja. At the end of January, the Theological School of La Paz launched the class “Purpose Driven Youth Ministry.” Our missionary David Reed is teaching the class. Joyce states that the hope of this class is to train leaders who will not only be Sunday School teachers and youth leaders, but also will sow the seeds for future youth ministers.

In Mexico, a high percentage of the population is under 27 years of age. There are few resources for the young people of Baja. The government and schools are asking for help. There is no history of full time ministry among churches in Baja. Churches are interested in full-time youth pastors for the first time. Youth leaders are sensing a call to minister to youth. These things represent great challenges and opportunities.

David opened the class discussing the Proverbs 29:18 scripture. The importance of a vision was taught and defined. If you don’t have a plan for where you want to go, you will probably never get there. Students range in age from 17-45 years. Reasons for joining the class varied. Here are some reasons listed by the students — to teach others, to transmit the passion of my faith to others, to model Christ, to know how to bring kids to Jesus and keep them excited about the Lord.

Working with young people is very rewarding. To engage them and ignite passion for the Lord takes genuine sincerity and lots of energy. For those seeking to instruct and engage a future generation, time and devotion will be required.

Please pray for these students as they work to learn more about the Lord and leading others to Him. Pray for David as he works to engage them in challenging ways of instruction. Pray for your own circle of young people, children or grandchildren that they may be mightily used for the kingdom of our Lord.