Hard work, New friends, Serve Jesus and Kids
Zack grew up with a mom and stepdad that love Jesus, love people, and live out hospitality. However, as Zach got older, they often found that their hospitality was not matched by the church. Time after time, when they would bring Zach to an event at church, they were met with an awkward response telling them that the church wasn’t prepared for ‘someone like Zach.’ Unfortunately this experience happens too frequently for families with a child with a disability; it begins to wear on them over time and becomes very discouraging. These families wonder how to attend church when their child isn’t welcome. They wonder if only some people belong in God’s family.
When I first heard about Zach from another student, I passed along a flyer for Capernaum and invited his mom to give me a call and have Zack come check it out. The first time I met Zach, I was met with a hesitance from his family, who probably wondered if he’d truly be welcome. But I knew that in Capernaum, we all are invited, everyone’s gifts and abilities are celebrated, and we recognize that not only do we want our friends with disabilities with us, but we need them in the larger mission of Young Life and in the body of Christ.
As Zach began attending club, and we learned of his love for Jesus and his desire to help others know Him, we realized he needed to be a part of our leadership team. We invited him to join us in prayer before club, in setting up and cleaning up, and in helping us load our friends’ wheelchairs into and out of our van. Zach was delighted to take on leadership roles and serves in several ways, but perhaps my favorite way is his spiritual leadership. As we gather to pray, Zach starts by listening. On more than one occasion, I have asked, “Zach, are you OK, are you going to pray?” to which he humbly answers, “Yes, but first listen to Jesus, then pray what He says.”
Zach is teaching us to listen first to the Holy Spirit, pray in line with His will, and then minister to our friends. Zach’s love for Jesus causes him to study Scripture, and he comes with verses to share with our team. He speaks of how Jesus helps him as a student, a brother, a servant and of how deeply Jesus loves him.
This past summer, Zach applied and was accepted to serve on work crew in the pits at Lost Canyon for a 3 week assignment. He will tell you there are 3 things that can sum up those weeks where he worked 12-14 hour days without a single complaint - “hard work, new friends, serve Jesus and kids….” His work crew boss and peers had a lot to say about Zach’s kindness, encouragement, friendship, verses shared, and the unifying sense that he brought to the team. We experienced the blessing of YL Capernaum where we invite individuals who may have been barred from participation elsewhere, celebrate who they are with their gifts and abilities, and need them in Young Life, serving at camps, and in the body of Christ!
When I first heard about Zach from another student, I passed along a flyer for Capernaum and invited his mom to give me a call and have Zack come check it out. The first time I met Zach, I was met with a hesitance from his family, who probably wondered if he’d truly be welcome. But I knew that in Capernaum, we all are invited, everyone’s gifts and abilities are celebrated, and we recognize that not only do we want our friends with disabilities with us, but we need them in the larger mission of Young Life and in the body of Christ.
As Zach began attending club, and we learned of his love for Jesus and his desire to help others know Him, we realized he needed to be a part of our leadership team. We invited him to join us in prayer before club, in setting up and cleaning up, and in helping us load our friends’ wheelchairs into and out of our van. Zach was delighted to take on leadership roles and serves in several ways, but perhaps my favorite way is his spiritual leadership. As we gather to pray, Zach starts by listening. On more than one occasion, I have asked, “Zach, are you OK, are you going to pray?” to which he humbly answers, “Yes, but first listen to Jesus, then pray what He says.”
Zach is teaching us to listen first to the Holy Spirit, pray in line with His will, and then minister to our friends. Zach’s love for Jesus causes him to study Scripture, and he comes with verses to share with our team. He speaks of how Jesus helps him as a student, a brother, a servant and of how deeply Jesus loves him.
This past summer, Zach applied and was accepted to serve on work crew in the pits at Lost Canyon for a 3 week assignment. He will tell you there are 3 things that can sum up those weeks where he worked 12-14 hour days without a single complaint - “hard work, new friends, serve Jesus and kids….” His work crew boss and peers had a lot to say about Zach’s kindness, encouragement, friendship, verses shared, and the unifying sense that he brought to the team. We experienced the blessing of YL Capernaum where we invite individuals who may have been barred from participation elsewhere, celebrate who they are with their gifts and abilities, and need them in Young Life, serving at camps, and in the body of Christ!
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