Out of the Spotlight, Following the Light

It's been a while since I've blogged. Between readjusting to a 7 hour time zone difference and catching up on all the work left behind after two weeks away, it's been hard getting time to write. But I'm back now. I will be sharing a little bit about my experiences in Lesotho next blog.

I'm here at Oakwood University, a Historically Black Christian University. I was talking with a student from East St Louis, Karyle Barnes Jr, who has worked with me before. He is presently studying to be a minister. Karyle is a deeply spiritual young man but one who has a good grasp of contemporary culture and is able to reach his peers.

We were talking about ministerial experience and preaching opportunities here at Oakwood and the fact that all theology students don't get an opportunity to preach on campus at some of the "spotlight" occasions like chapel and student worship services. That's where everyone on campus gets to know who you are and your renown is established.

But Karyle related to me a ministry that he is involved with called Stand Ministries. In his low key manner he spoke about going to a local juvenile detention center every Friday to speak to the young men about life and making good choices. After speaking to the entire group of teens, these collegiates sit down in smaller groups with the detainees and dialog with them. Some weeks they just play games with the boys and have fun.

Now that is ministry! It's not in the spotlight but it's following the light. And there are so many others who are doing sacrificial service that do not appear in the limelight or get recognition but I am confident that God is smiling down on it.

If you are one of those persons, whether it's helping a neighbor, or contributing to someone's well-being anonymously, know that you are following the light - Jesus Christ. "For as much as you've done it to the least of these, You've done it to me (Jesus)."