Paul summed up Elijah’s anxiety best in Romans 11:2-5. “Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? ‘Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.’ But what is God’s reply to him? ‘I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.’ So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace.”
There may be some today who share in Elijah’s anxieties over the people of God, and rightfully so. Our young people seem to be leaving in droves as congregations across the country are closing their doors. Yet, in a world which seems to grow darker every day, let me tell you about the “remnant” of young people I’ve had the chance to meet this year.
In mid-January, over 1,000 young people arrived in Savannah, Tennessee to attend Evangelism University. EU is an annual weekend event designed to train youth group leaders on evangelism. This year, the attendees studied from Mathetis’ “The Reaching Series,” during their elective classes to learn how to respond to difficult questions that come up during a Bible study.
Let me also tell you about the 12,000 souls who attended the Challenge Youth Conference in Dallas, Texas and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and gave $15,000 to further the work of Mathetis. Over 500 attendees registered on Mathetis during the weekend event.
Our young people see the importance of evangelism. Whether they are studying to share their faith with others, using their financial blessings spread the Gospel or actively using tools like Mathetis to grow the Kingdom of God, they see the importance of telling the world about Jesus.
