I had an extraordinary first week back after the Easter break. For me, its normal that the first day back in school chaplaincy throws curveballs as the whole school community settles back into the rhythm and routine. But today it was all going quite smoothly and seemed like a normal day. It was break time, I’d just wrapped up a mentoring session and headed out to the playground to chat with some students.
“Sir, do you remember me?” a voice called from behind me. I turned around to see one of the first students I’d mentored (about 2 years ago).
“Of course…but what’s all this?” I said, pointing to a large silver cross the student was wearing round their neck.
“Well, I’m a Christian now, sir.”
“Wow…tell me more about that…how did that happen?”
“About two months ago. I’ve been scrolling TikTok and just had loads of Christians pop up on my feed talking about Jesus and God and that. And I knew I needed forgiveness and to follow Jesus. I haven’t found a church yet, but I’m reading my Bible”
Honestly, I was stunned. I wanted to find out more, but the bell went and our conversation was cut short. 2 years ago I recall this student telling me they were anti-religion and didn’t like Christians. I wondered what journey this student had been on.
Often we don’t get the chance to hear these stories, and much of our chaplaincy work we’ll never know the impact. And what I love the most is that it had nothing to do with me or any of our programmes. God reached out and connected with this student in an amazing way because He seeks and saves the lost.
Then, that evening, Prayer For Colchester hosted a prayer meeting at Lifehouse centred on praying for young people. At that meeting, there was an 18 year old who had recently become a Christian, they shared their story of coming to faith through Christians sharing their faith on TikTok. Thankfully this young person had found their home in a local church after a quick search online, and they are now being discipled. Incredible.
God is Sovereign. Amidst all the challenges, pressures, stigma and now current political press about social media, faithful Christians are being bold and having a huge impact.
It strikes me, however, that there is a great need for Christians and the Church as a whole to be ready and willing to invite, accept, befriend and disciple those that are coming to faith in unique and unusual ways; to help them be grounded within a faith community so they relate and journey with other Christians, participate in church life and live out their new found faith with firm foundations.
Please join us in praying that young people would stumble across this amazing content and hear the good news through whatever media platforms they use. Please pray those young people would find their home in a local church. Please pray for the Church, and for ourselves, to be ready to welcome others and help them in their journey.
written by Sam Fowler
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