CHEERING FOR OTHERS

GIVE THEM A HAND
by Torrey H. Brinkley

It is always rewarding to see someone tackle a project, learn a new skill, take over an assignment, or become one's replacement in a task. Generally a new person can bring a fresh perspective, see a new way of doing things, or build on a foundation that was previously laid. Moses had to relinquish the reins to Joshua. David took over for Saul, the first King of Israel. Paul was glad to turn over the reins of various new churches to capable young pastors/teachers.

This writer has been privileged over the years to serve with some younger folk, who have gladly taken over tasks or started their own new ministries. Sometimes they have asked for guidance & direction. other times they needed to be led or prodded into accepting responsibilities. But what a joy to see how the Lord has led some of these folk down thru the years:

JB was a young black who had been in trouble with the juvenile court system. We took him out of his rough neighborhood, where crime & violence was commonplace, to engage with other youth to study God's Word and enjoy some wholesome activities. We even took him & a friend on vacation with us to California one summer. He later finished college, got an MBA, obtained a realtor's license, learned to fly an airplane, and helped re-develop a run-down neighborhood near downtown Denver.

DN was a high school football quarterback, who mostly enjoyed partying instead of studying. He came to our youth group from way across town, just to see a young Christian girl there. We were glad when he accepted Christ, learned to play Christian songs on the guitar, decided to go off to college, and then a Bible-teaching seminary. After doing some military service, he became a pastor of a church in Colorado and then So. Calif. Then he began service as a chaplain on an aircraft carrier to some 7000 sailors.

DH was a teenager who enjoyed jokes and pranks with other like-minded friends. Even though his family were godly people, we wondered when he would take life seriously. He finally took the challenge and would give his testimony, when singing in a newly formed youth Christian worship band at church, and on short term mission trips. He later served with Campus Crusade for Christ on campuses like Penn State, Stanford and Univ. of Minnesota. He was able to go into eastern block communist countries to share his faith. He decided to study for his doctorate in Philosophy at Oxford Univ. and now teaches ethics at a Christian university.

DS was a collegian, who asked to become our church choir director. He did a fine job, bringing his talent and great enthusiasm. When he thought about running for political office, we went together to spend a day visiting politicians in the Missouri statehouse, seeing how they blended their faith with civic duty. After graduation this fellow worked in a mortuary, and learned the delicate art of harveting eyes for transplant patients. He and his wife serve faithfully in a Kansas City church.

FD was a young boy, whose parents started to fight during his later elementary years. He came to live with us briefly while his parents decided to separate. He was silly but studious,and eventually got his university degree in Madrid, Spain. Then he went off to study at a theological seminary in Central America. He then came back to Spain,where he now pastors the little church that our mission founded when he was just 8 years old. He also has started a Christian radio ministry that broadcasts all over Spain.

CL was another young person who did not take life seriously in junior high or high school years. He still had to listen to his godly mother and teachers at church. But, after completing school, he decided to become more serious. Now he leads a worship team, with his children, at his church in Alaska, where he and his brother run a printing business.

HA was a young agnostic from an atheistic family. We spent many hours debating religion and the Bible. Eventually he came to acknowledge Christ's claim on his life. After college he married a fine Christian gal, who now owns a Bible bookstore in suburban Chicago. His daughter & her husband run a Christian coffee shop for migrant travelers in the middle east.

MF was a young collegian who needed his passions tamed. Always full of energy and ideas, he tried many financial schemes and relationships. He settled down to become a leader in his church and helps guide men who have personal life struggles. He gives many conferences in various parts of the country sharing his expertise and life lessons.

DP was a young man with very intelligent parents from 2 differing countries. He attended one of our little churches in Spain. We brought him back to the USA for a summer vacation with our family. Today he has moved up the management ladder in his employment with Mercedes Benz of Germany.

JW was a dedicated Christian young gal in a Colorado youth group we directed. She went to university and met a tall basketball player. After they married, they completed seminary training and have been serving as missionaries in Italy for over 20 years, helping plant churches and utilizing basketball as a vehicle to win others to Christ.

BS was a young collegian at work, who asked to be mentored for a season. We went over many personal and biblical topics for a year, over early morning breakfasts. Now he is our IT manager at work, is married to a lovely Christian gal, who had served with a Christian high school ministry. He helped encourage & support another classmate friend to start a college campus ministry, that shared Christ thru magic on scores at universities across America.

ST was a young collegian from a town in Canada of 50 people + cows. She came to work alongside of us, in a town of 5 million people who only spoke Spanish. We were glad for her tireless energy and love for children and young adults. Later she went back to Canada to complete her formal education. Now she and her husband have served as missionaries to poor & needy folk in Peru for several terms.

LJ was a young intern who worked with us in Spain as we attempted to start up new churches there. He was gifted enough to be accepted at medical school, but he later chose to attend biblcal seminary. After graduation he pastored a university town church, where he preached every sermon entirely from memory. Then, he was recruited to teach at a Bible college, and now serves as a New Testament professor at a Christian seminary.

HH was a young man, who had never attended church before, but who expressed interest in studying with a group of men. He eagerly soaked up most everything that was set before him to read, as he had never attended classes of higher education previously. God has used him in leading other men, attending many short term mission trips, and organizing many other missions and service projects.

God is good, and He never wants His message and relationship to end with the current believers! Who will take the mantle from you, and do a better job with the "next generation"?