Be A Brandon

On Tuesday, I went to speak at St. Mary Redcliffe's Sixth Form Christian Union. One of the young people in Energy is involved in running the CU and asked me (at rather short notice, I hasten to add!), if I would like to come in and speak. I really enjoy this sort of opportunity; it helps me keep my speaking skills sharp and encouraging young people in their own school environment is very important. What I have realised though, is the importance of equipping and empowering young people to be salt and light in their schools. For many years, the mentality was getting people (mainly adults) to go into the school on a regular basis and run events such as assemblies, lessons and so on. Now, the emphasis is on working with the Christian young people themselves who are already in the school and far more able to have an impact than we are. For too long, these young people were made dependant on outsiders coming in and doing their job for them! These days it is all about working with them so they can do the job themselves.

In recent years, I have noticed that BCC Youth have started to care about their non-Christian friends a lot more. Some have got involved in their Christian Unions and one or two have even started up one themselves! I used to do a lot of schools' work but the fruit was limited. It excites me to see the young people actually getting a vision for their own schools and wanting to do something about it. Of course, being a Christian in school is more than just going to a meeting. We challenge them to not just 'talk the talk', but also to 'walk the talk' in every aspect of their school interactions: homework, attitude to staff, behaviour, language, relationships and so on.

I read a story in a book given to me for my birthday called "Jesus Culture" written by the Youth Pastor at Bill Johnson's Church is Redding, California: Banning Liebscher (yes...that's really his name!). It's quite long but I'm sure you'll find it to be worthwhile...

"Brandon Smith is a senior in high school at a top-level school in the San Fransisco Bay Area in California. His school has one of the top basketball teams in the nation and Brandon was on the varsity team as a freshman - the youngest player on the team. Early one morning after a practice, Brandon was in the locker room dressing for school when the senior captain of the team, along with other teammates, approached him and his friend (who was the only other freshman on the team). The captain of the the team asked Brandon if he was a virgin. Without shrinking back at all, Brandon proudly proclaimed, "Yes, I am a virgin. And proud of that. It is something that is precious to me and I'm saving it until my marriage."

"The team was shocked at his answer and looked at him like he was crazy. there was even chuckling as the guys walked away. During that day, different young men came up and told him how much they respected his decision and how they wish they had done the same. But the label of "virgin" stuck with him throughout his high school years, so much so that a couple of years later at a game with their local rival school, Brandon was on the free throw line and the crowd was chanting, "He's a virgin! He's a virgin!" Brandon wanted to shout back, "I'm proud if it! I'm proud of it!"

"God truly is raising up a new breed who refuse to believe they are insignificant. Brandon knew he wasn't called to just survive and be ashamed of who he was. He was called to stand out, not fit in. Even though he was nervous and even though he knew it could cost him approval from his peers, he accepted that it was worth it. Brandon felt secure in his identity in God and had no need for others to tell him who he was. He had established his life in intimacy with the Lord and was not agitated by the pressure to seek acceptance or relevance in the eyes of the world."

We need more young people who love God and are willing to live this message as well as speak this message into the Schools of this Nation. Those of us who work with young people would do well to consider how we can lead, equip, encourage, disciple and teach these younger generations to do this in the best ways possible.