In a lot of ways, First Priority is like John the Baptist. Matthew 3:3 says this, “For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.'” First Priority is a strategy for the local church. Like John the Baptist, we are pointing the way for the church to legally reach teenagers and influence the school with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Many people believe (falsely) that it is illegal to speak the name of Jesus in a public setting like a middle or high school. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The government of the United States cannot dictate religion, so when a student enters the halls of a school, they are not required to leave their faith at the door. They can share the gospel with their peers and with their teachers. But, many do not get up and share Christ alone; many people do not do anything on their own for the first time. It is done with a friend. This is where the adults come in. We must work to organize and help them create a space, at school, to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with their peers. Adults have a [legal] role to play! Teachers cannot preach to students, but they are required to be present for the First Priority club. Over the last 11 years as the faculty sponsor, Sam saw more than 400 students receive Christ in his classroom. This was not because he was sharing the gospel, but because as a teacher, he opened the room to the First Priority club and watched students share Christ with their friends. Youth Pastors train and equip the [teenage] saints for works of service week in and week out at their programs. First Priority gives them a place to implement prayer, evangelism, and come back to church for discipleship. Parents pray. I believe that. What if the parents prayed together? After all, what we are talking about is spiritual, not physical, mental, nor emotional. Let’s gather and open the heavens for God’s work to go forward at your child’s school. And let’s not forget the leaders in the community. Whether you lead in business, government, or non-profit, you are a valuable piece of the First Priority puzzle. You create longevity and structure for ministry to happen not just at one or three schools, but in every middle and high school in your region.
Long story short, the Good News found in Jesus Christ is shared at public middle and high schools every day that they are open. Will you play your role and help it in yours?
Taking one day at a time,
Brad
