Jesus Christ didn’t need to worry about marketing when it came to drawing people to Himself. Instead of a million dollars and some clever commercial, Jesus used what He had. Once, it was five loaves and two fishes, and it brought the crowds. He made ordinary people feel like kings and queens as the disciples passed out the food for the day. Jesus consistently treated people like kings and queens — even when they didn't deserve it.
In Young Life, as we follow the example of Jesus, we truly try to strive for excellence in all we do. This reminds me of something that happened this semester in our Young Life club. For the past semester, some teachers from Alvin High School had a dream to bring some kids to our Pearland High School club, so they could experience what Young Life was all about. During this time they began searching for a way to transport 10-15 kids. One teacher, named Tom, also owned a limousine company, and evidently had a limousine. So he offered to escort kids to club in a limousine! Every Monday, for months Tom drove to kids' houses — literally rolled out the red carpet — and escorted10-15 kids every week to Young Life club in a limousine!
Tom didn't have some amazing marketing plan to get kids to club, but he used what he had, a limousine! This story challenges us in ministry to continue to love kids by serving them with our best. Jesus rolled out the red carpet for those He came in contact with, so did Tom, and so should we. By the way, Tom doesn't have the limousine anymore, but he continues to bring kids to Young Life club every week. Alvin High School currently doesn't have its own Young Life club, but thanks to a group of teachers from Alvin, as many as 20 kids each week from Alvin are going to a nearby Young Life club, and plans are underway for Alvin to have its own club, interest meetings are taking place, a committee is forming and a fundraiser is being planned for the spring.
Whether clubs are just getting off the ground or they've been going for years, Young Life leaders look for ways to give kids the four-star treatment. That can mean a limo ride to club or the full attention of caring adults talking with kids about their lives. Either way, when a Young Life leader uses what he or she has to make kids feel like royalty, the King of Kings is pleased.