Covenant Church

The Greek philosopher Socrates made strong statements about how children of his day were headed down the path of moral decay. Generations have come and gone for 2,400 years since Socrates' death, and always with older folks sounding the pessimism of Socrates.

Oh, it is true that things are not what they used to be. It is true that cultural, economic, social, and geo-political conditions have altered. It is true that schools in America are generally air-conditioned, sometimes with carpet, with computers, with excellent lighting, with balanced meals. It is true that we have indoor restrooms and teachers with college degrees. It is true that we have outlawed prayer and reading of the Bible in public schools, while we decorate for Halloween and invite leaders of idolatrous religions to speak to our children in school.

It is true that we have internet, email, faxes, I-pods, cell phones, and TVs. It is true that many teenagers have cars. It is true that teenagers comprise a share of the spending population that forces merchants to cater to their whims.

It is true that there are teenagers who waste their lives in foolish pursuits. It is true that there are some young people who disdain education preferring pleasure. It is true there are young addicts who destroy their bodies. There are young boys and girls who engage physically and reap life-long consequences, including deadly diseases. It is true that there are young people who have no regard for God. All this is true.

BUT...it is also true that God is not dead. God has not tossed in the towel. God has always preserved a remnant. He has never been without people. There are young people like Moses Prince of Egypt who preferred the path of God to the pleasures of Egypt.

As surely as there have been teenagers in every generation there have been young people who have committed to holy causes. If there was a Samuel age 12 that God called, there are boys and girls of our day that God is calling.

A 12 year-old in our congregation says boldly that God has called him to prepare to be a pastor. Robert, age 25, grew up in Covenant, chose not to quit, and prepared himself for ministry. Robert is now a youth pastor for a Pennsylvania congregation. A sophomore from Covenant at JMU is living a committed life and is active in InterVarsity. A sophomore at UVA is bringing friends to church. A young lady has carefully prepared herself and is entering Duke University law school.

High school and junior high youth of Covenant Church are active in ministry at church and in school. Grade reports of our youth are outstanding. Many get early admission, scholarships, and excel in collegiate studies.

Chaplains in the military, school teachers, ministers, musicians, and pastors were once young people in Covenant Church classrooms. Missionaries have gone out from our classrooms. Leaders in Covenant Church are products of sound teaching and committed lives.

I meet Adam, age 12, greeting for Children's Church. I meet young teenagers coming to practice for drama. I meet young people who have just returned from mission outreach in our community.

Yes, I know times are changing. I know many follow the life-style of the times. They sacrifice their future for the present. But I also know that God has young people who are bold, committed, bright, determined, and living the Christ-life.

Don't look for them at the party. They are home studying. Don't look for them wandering aimless hours at the mall. They are home studying. Don't look for them hanging out at school. They are in the library.

Don't look for them at home in the bed on Sunday. They are in church.

I praise the Lord. God has not failed this generation. He is preparing powerful warrior leaders for His Church in these prophetic times.

This Sunday at Covenant you will enjoy in the worship services a presentation by our children. They have prayerfully prepared themselves to serve in various ways in the services. Come see for yourself that God is doing a work among young people.

He has a remnant in our day! Believe and make sure your children are in Church.

Pastor Bare

Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Joel 2:32