During my second visit to Coastal Grand Mall in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, I gained valuable insights. The mall was bustling with young individuals on a rainy Saturday night, presumably seeking indoor activities. I began by observing the food court, which was conveniently situated near the movie theater and drew a significant crowd of young people. Following a quick meal, I proceeded with my observation.
The majority of young people were not with their families, but rather with their friends. They are mostly locals as the school season has begun and most tourists have departed. This provides a better understanding of the true nature of young people in our area compared to observing tourists from different regions. During my observations, I noticed several resemblances to my initial visit to the water park. Nu
...merous young girls were dressed provocatively and seemed to be seeking attention.
While observing at the water park, I noticed that either parents were accepting of their daughters' attire or the girls had changed after leaving home. However, dressing in such a manner in public was not justified, even though it was a beach vacation. Witnessing this, I felt compelled to offer new clothes to the numerous young girls I saw. In contrast, boys sought attention through silly antics and playing pranks on their friends rather than their clothing choices. For instance, they would pull chairs out from under someone before they sat down.
At the mall, there was a noticeable difference in how boys and girls interacted compared to the water park. Groups of young people gathered at the food court, mingling and seeming to have a
good time. What surprised me was the language they used - some of the words being uttered were quite shocking.
I was surprised by how young people were communicating, which was different from what I expected. However, I understand that they are still figuring out who they are and trying to fit in. It was hard for me to stay silent and not encourage them to avoid using such language because it made me realize that they might have negative thoughts and emotions. This experience taught me about behaviors of young people that I previously didn't know about, and watching their actions, clothing, and speech gave me a better understanding of the importance of youth ministry.
Observing these young individuals during that specific night had a profound impact on me, as it made me realize the magnitude of their disconnection. It is probable that many of them have never experienced the love and support of a nurturing family. In fact, some may not even have a place to call home once they depart from the mall later in the evening. The most disheartening aspect is the possibility that they were never exposed to the teachings of the Gospel. Their actions on that night merely reflect their surrounding environment. I attempted to envision what kind of household some of them originated from. As I delved deeper into my thoughts, I contemplated which among them have parents eagerly awaiting their return.
As I left the mall that night, my mind was filled with various thoughts. I couldn't help but reflect on the children who had parents incarcerated or struggling with addiction, as well as
those who experienced hunger due to their families' financial restraints. Most importantly, I contemplated the ones who longed for the love of Jesus Christ. My main objective is to make a positive difference in these youths' lives, even though I am uncertain about the exact approach. However, a negative voice began creeping in, trying to convince me that my efforts would be in vain and draining my enthusiasm.
While beginning my prayers, I noticed a disappearance of negative thoughts and an improved ability to connect with young people. This encompasses those I encountered at the water park and mall. My intention is to fervently pray for young individuals globally, specifically those residing in my community. I trust that God will begin to open their hearts, so that when they encounter the Gospel, they will be ready to embrace it as irrefutable truth.
May God send someone to share the Gospel with those whose hearts are softening, and may they listen with an open heart and mind, accepting Jesus as their Savior before it's too late. Moreover, I pray for young Christians to radiate such brightness that others can perceive Jesus within them; because I trust that this joint effort will yield a more profound influence than any solitary endeavor. I have faith in God's response to my prayers and His ability to bring about change in the lives of youth across the globe.
I plan to revisit Coastal Grand mall on a bustling weekend night with the intention of spreading the love of Christ among young individuals. My primary focus will be to inspire young girls to adopt a more modest
style of dress and to help them comprehend that their beauty does not require revealing too much of their bodies. I would like to remind them that Jesus cherishes them as valued individuals and they should always hold onto this knowledge and exhibit confidence because of it. One suggestion I had was to create wallet cards that can be distributed to students, which will serve as a reminder that when they feel unattractive, they should recall that they are marvelously and wonderfully made.
The card serves as a reminder that God loves individuals more than life, especially when they feel unloved. It also reassures them that God will never abandon or forsake them in times of feeling misunderstood and alone. It is crucial for young people to comprehend that God has a purpose for their life. To reach out to more young individuals, particularly those seen in the mall, organizing a large youth event at our church would be the most effective idea.
Utilizing our current students for assistance involves tasking them to distribute invitations at the mall, their schools, and football games. The main objective is to prioritize reaching out to non-churched individuals rather than solely focusing on friends who already belong to another church. The primary goal of the youth event is to inform the students about the love of Christ, educate them on experiencing that love, and demonstrate that they no longer have to feel lost.
The goal is to ultimately lead people towards redemption. However, it would be great if we can bring them there and plant a seed. To achieve this, we need to organize an extraordinary
event. Before the event, we will gather all youth leaders for a prayer session where we pray that many young individuals will leave that night TRANSFORMED in Jesus' name! Additionally, arrangements need to be made for music, potentially including a Contemporary Christian praise and worship band.
It is crucial to serve food to teenagers as they have a strong appetite, but our primary concern should be the message and its influence on their lives. This responsibility has opened my eyes to the significance of connecting with young individuals everywhere. We frequently prioritize students within our church while overlooking those in a lost and troubled world. I hope that through God's assistance and the support of my church, we can create a beneficial impact on people's lives worldwide.
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