Youth and Family Ministries

Dear Members and Friends,

Why do we invest in small numbers?

I want to paint a picture for you.  Come with me back to one year ago, November of 2017, where I have been at Zion as your Director of Youth and Family Ministries for three short months. Coming up is the NJ Synod’s Among the Wolves middle school retreat. Zion has not participated in this retreat in a very long time. I have been told, repeatedly, that I do not have to go to the weekend retreat, since I am still new and only part-time. I send out the information and gather some advisors and surprisingly, we have 4 students sign up. Then, a week or so out, (due to very unfortunate circumstances) both of the advisors have to pull out. Less than a week away from the retreat, a student backs out. So, I find myself doing what God has always called me to do… GO! So I pack my bags, secure a few babysitters for the weekend, and am on my way up to Zion for the retreat. On my way, an hour before we are due to leave, another student calls out sick. I arrive at the CEB and get ready to go with only two students and myself. As we get ready to depart, one mom pulls me aside and says “You know Courtney, we wouldn’t have blamed you if you wanted to cancel. This is a lot of time and work for only two students.”

The thought hits me… yes, it has been a lot of work, and yes, I could have canceled, but I have two young girls who are packed and ready to go. So after a few long few sleepless nights, I am back at home hoping and praying that the weekend made an impact on the girls.

Fast forward to November 2018 at Among the Wolves. We have 12 students going and 4 advisors. Yes, I said TWELVE and FOUR! Talk about a return on investment! If last year’s retreat were to have been cancelled due to low attendance, this amazing weekend in 2018 wouldn’t have happened. I can say with confidence that because Zion invested in these two young ladies, they in return brought in a whole new group of students willing and able to be transformed at a youth retreat. The event went well, and we were able to introduce a whole new group of kids to God’s grace.

The question at hand was, why do we invest in small numbers? Any banker will tell you that even a small amount will grow larger and larger after years of investment. The trick is to have patience and not be discouraged when you are only able to invest a small amount. I urge you to continue to invest in Zion and our youth. You might be thinking that since our numbers are small, our programs must not be ‘working’. I urge you to remember the story I just told you. Those girls in 2017 are real members of our congregation, and this year, those 12 students are real kids in our church with real spiritual needs. We must continue to invest in our children and teach them in the ways in which we have been taught.

Peace,

Courtney Rzeplinski