One of my favorite hobbies is watching sports, a close second and third would be a good movie or show to dive into. The problem is that I can easily over indulge. Last summer Erin and I had spent most of the summer on a Cru mission trip and we came back exhausted ready for some down time. But after a few weeks of polishing off yet another Netflix series I started feeling this desire for more. I could hear the Holy Spirit, or maybe it was John Piper’s voice, in my head saying “don’t waste your life”. We both felt like we had more to give and didn’t want watching Netflix inside every night to be the mark we leave in this neighborhood. 

We both had been seeing the newsletter’s need for Bible club volunteers and both independently felt like this is where we wanted to serve. This was right up our alley. Taking the gospel into a corner of the neighborhood that honestly not many people want to go to. Taking the gospel to kids who may not have a ton of people sharing it with them. Helping the future generations grow in their discipleship to Jesus. Where else would we rather be on a Tuesday night? 

So we started volunteering. We made it a goal to each be there twice a month. Before you make us out to be saints or anything, the commitment is small. You’re actually only there for 30 minutes with the kids, so you’re maybe giving a little bit over an hour of your week to this if you include commuting and any prep time. To give you a peak behind the curtain, you get there and the EmCee introduces the time, then you sing a worship song, teach a Bible story, play a game, pray and then the kids feast on a snack. 

30 minutes of your week is a small commitment, but a significant commitment. 

Isaiah talks about how God’s word never comes back void, but accomplishes his purpose. Peter says people are born again through the imperishable, enduring living word of God. Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to a man planting a seed and whether he sleeps or he awakes the seed grows yet he doesn't quite know how.

This is what we get to bring every week. God has uniquely opened a door to us in the Astoria Houses, and we get to bring His word in that place and let Him accomplish his purposes. And He is. 

I remember last year towards the end of the year we got to tell the story of Jesus' death. And Andrea showed each kid the Jesus story book drawings and the kids were like why would they kill him?! They were engaged in the story! 

Let me speak to the guys here for a second. 

When Lena was born I took a three month break from Bible club as we adjusted to life and I’ll never forget what happened when I came back. I ran in about a minute before we started and soon as I walked in this one boy exclaimed “yes! Finally a guy is here”. And that struck me. I don’t have a stat to prove this but I’m sure I could find one, but I don’t think boys have enough men in their lives giving them positive examples to follow. Furthermore I know boys don’t have enough Christian men in their lives giving them examples of what manhood truly looks like. 

Guys this is what we get to do every week. For 30 minutes we get to give these young boys an imperfect model to follow. For 30 minutes a week we get to say like Paul, imitate me as I imitate Christ. 

I gave my life to Christ as a 24 year old grad student. The first time I went to a protestant church I thought it was the weirdest thing in the world. This was more of a charismatic, non denom church and people we’re singing there were swaying and I was so thrown off. But then I saw this man in the front row. He was jacked, he was tatted up and he had his han/?/d up in the air worshipping Jesus. I’ll never forget that moment because that helped me see, like okay this isn’t something just for girls or for weird people this Jesus is someone who everyone can and should worship.

For thirty minutes a week we get to be that model to the future generations. We get to show that he is worth knowing and that what we believe is for everybody. We get to bring the enduring word of God to more pockets of the neighborhood! 

I know what I’ll be doing Tuesday nights this year, will you join me?