Andrew, Go Out..

Andrew is a graduate of our youth ministry. He was in 8th grade
when I arrived on the job. He was a tall, blonde haired kid with a
great ear for music, tremendous stage presence, and extraordinarily
creative.

Andrew was part of the first mission team I led from this church.
He was part of every mission team thereafter until he graduated
from high school. He returned one more year to serve as an
assistant leader.

During those years in our mission training program and trips, Andrew
learned to share his faith. He memorized verses and completed sermon
and scripture reviews. He learned to really reach out to people and
show love for them. During that time, he became a remarkable worship
leader. He played his guitar and used his great voice to lead others
into the worship of our Lord.

As Andrew started college, he was hired to work at the church part
time. Much of his time on the job was working directly with me in
the youth ministry. Andrew did well but the church job and college
just did not seem to sit with him at that time.

After a season of prayer and searching, Andrew determined that God
was calling him take up his cross and go out. It seems those years
of youth missions marked Andrew in a much deeper way than I had realized.

48 hours from the time of this writing, Andrew will board an
airplane and leave central Florida for Colorado. There he will
train at the YWAM (Youth with a Mission) headquarters. After
several months of training, he will be dispatched to one of several
possible mission locations around the world.

I have to admit it. The human side of me will miss Andrew and I
hate to see him go. He is a great asset to the ministry. He is a
young man I have come to love and appreciate deeply. The good news
is that he is off to do what I have encouraged all my teens to do
over the years; to take up their cross and follow Jesus. For
Andrew, that cross points to Colorado and then to somewhere in the
world.

I pray that the Lord will watch over Andrew and bring him back so
we have an opportunity to fellowship again. I am proud of him and
my wife and I will hold him up in prayer. As you read this entry,
would you also pray?

Andrew, go out and preach the gospel.

Greg Gunn

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