“Behold how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity.”
Psalm 133:1
What do 6th and 7th grade boys have in common with jet engines? A lot, as it turns out. Between the noise, the energy they produce, the relentless demand for fuel (albeit in the form of sugar), there are a number of similarities. They may well be made of steel, too, considering how durable they are. One more similarity: I had no idea how to engage with either jet engines or the boys. I am neither mechanic nor minister. Serving in the youth ministry was one of my biggest worries coming into the start of the Fellows Program. Coming to faith in college after growing up in an isolated, secular home led me to feeling woefully out of my comfort zone when it came to being a role model for these boys. It is only by the grace of God that I’ve managed to be a functioning, repentant, sinner. Could his grace be so abundant as to also help me love and serve the children in the church? Over the last month, I learned that it is.
The first few weeks leading up to the retreat felt like an all-out sprint. I was trying to just keep my legs moving and catch my breath, lest I fall over. Information, names, events – all seemed to fly past me at breakneck speed. Bible study lessons were planned during my lunch breaks and squeezed between homework readings. In those moments, this man was living not by bread alone, but praying for the sustenance of the word of God. What was surprising then, was how restful my time with these boys was. Wednesday nights became a fair haven from the chaos of work and other obligations. We prayed, and consecrated our time as holy to the Lord, and invited his presence to minister to us through his word and through his people. And God was faithful and ministered to me through these young men, who were growing up in God’s covenant community.
The Lord says, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity”(Psalm 133)! Indeed it is good and pleasant to experience the community of the church, and its commitment to raising up the next generation with a fear and love of the Lord. For me, it was an experience I never had, and in my brief tenure as a Christian, felt that I was sorely missing. But spending time every week with the boys in prayer, in reading God’s word, and in teaching and learning – all of us from one another – I have rested in the hope that one day, my children will experience what I missed: growing up in the loving embrace of the church. For the Lord is faithful, and shows his steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love Him and keep His commandments.
Even beyond making the youth Bible studies restful and healing in so many ways, God in His grace also makes it incredibly fun. All of these boys have such distinct personalities and fathomless levels of energy, and yet they channel it all into caring for each other and learning to care for God. I also had the privilege of serving on the fall youth retreat just a few weeks ago. At the retreat, we would start our mornings with quiet time with the Lord, then move to energetic skits, edifying times of praise and teaching, and the most unbelievable youth-group shenanigans and games. In His mercy, God has given me an incredibly fulfilling youth ministry experience so far, and he has equipped me to love and teach these guys, modeling a life of both faith and repentance.
I pray that for these young men and women of God, He would continue to make their paths straight, and that they would enjoy our time together just as much as the fellows have enjoyed spending time with them.
About the Author
Duncan Goodman is a member of the Fourth Fellows Class of 2024-2025. He is from Phoenix, Arizona, and is a graduate of the University of Michigan. This year, he is working for Maximus.
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