This past summer I was an intern for Kentwood Community Church in the youth ministry department. It was a position that was a little out of my comfort zone since I’m a media major, and I’m not really looking to be a pastor.  I worked with middle school and high school students throughout the summer, programming events and just trying to minister and be a solid role model for these kids.  It is unbelievable to see some of the things that go on in the student’s lives. 

One student in particular stands out in my mind.  His name is Taylor. He is in 7th grade, and he is the most difficult kid I have ever had to deal with. He is ADD He doesn’t listen to any instructions, and he will not cooperate with anyone.  Yeah, he’s one of those kids.  It took me a long time to realize that he was more than just “the annoying kid,” but he was really looking for some love that he doesn’t receive in his home life.

One of my co-interns pointed out to me that he always wears sweatshirts even though it is in the middle of the hot summer. We found out that he has started cutting, and has scars up and down his arms, at the age of 12.  Instantly guilt and sorrow set in.  This kid is obviously really struggling at an early age. Later we found out that his home life is one without parental control, rules or many guidelines. His mother worked full time so he is by himself to make his own decisions. 

So now I take on a new perspective for this student.  The church is a part of a summer camp titled “Never The Same” in Houghton New York.  This camp is organized by youth pastors around the Midwest and East Coast.  For one week in July they bring their entire youth group to the event, having over 1000 students.  At the camp I was a part of the programming and video team.  So coming up with videos, filming, editing , creating characters, and coming up with creative programming elements were all part of my job description. 

It was an amazing experience, not only to see the fun and enjoyment on the students faces, but also being a part of the bigger picture.  This camp had so many students, and many of them were.  From abuse to self injury we heard story after story from these middle school and high school students. They were just screaming for God’s grace, love and mercy to fill their hearts.  It’s an experience I cannot put into words.

After hearing all of these stories of students seeking Jesus to deal with the pain and suffering, I noticed Taylor was not interested.  In fact, I even caught him sneaking around the building in areas he wasn’t suppose to be, while all of his peers were experiencing the Lord, some for the first time.  Honestly, this angered me.  I was so disappointed that he wasn’t listening or giving the Lord a chance.  I was so frustrated that I started ignoring him for the rest of the week because I did not want to deal with it.  The thing is, this is not what God had in mind. 

On the last day, I was standing in the back of the auditorium during the worship set just praising the Lord for all the Grace and Love he had shown the students.  At that moment Taylor walked up to me and asked if he could leave.  My initial reaction was to tell him to go sit down and wait, but those weren’t the words that came out of my mouth.  Instead I didn’t say a word. I put my arm around him and brought him down to the front with the rest of the students.  It was a time of intense emotional praise by all of the students around him.  Some in sheer jubilee others in a deep emotional state, but he was stubborn, squirming and trying to get away from me.  I just started praying, “Lord, I’m not asking for Taylor to instantly fall in love with you; but please just instill in him calmness.  Help him to just be still and experience you”. 

At that moment, Taylor stopped squirming to leave to auditorium.  He was still.  Now, I don’t know what the Lord was saying to him at that time; all I know is that for the first time he truly experienced God.  He didn’t sing.  He didn’t pray.  He just stopped with his own agenda.  I don’t know if God changed his life or if he was just giving up on being impatient; but I know that I was presented with an opportunity, and that one moment God had was worth so much more than anything I could have ever said or done in Taylor’s life. I realized that sometimes I just need to be still and let God speak to me instead of always asking him to deal with my life.

E-mail: ryan_m_humm@cornerstone.edu