Ryan Seiler’s July video reminds me of how young adult Christians can help teens deal with high school pressures, while leading them to lifelong faith in God.
Yikes! This month has flown by so quickly, I almost missed my chance to show you the July video by Ryan Seiler before July is gone.
Here at Finding God Daily, we usually write articles, then find YouTube videos that are a good fit for them. In this case, Ryan’s song July, and the people in his video, bring a flood of memories to me about the greatness of God, and in a very personal way.
See the July video, then I’ll explain:
July (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO) by Ryan Seiler
I had the honor of meeting Ryan recently when he and his fiance (now wife Julie) joined my church small group, which meets weekly for Bible study, prayer and sometimes crazy fun. Julie’s sister is one of my daughter’s close friends.
Among others in the video are Travis and Wendy (and their adorable daughter) who have had an amazing ministry to teens. They and other small group leaders, including a woman named Hope, greatly impacted my own daughter’s faith in God.
You see, when we moved from Washington State to Iowa, it was hard on my teen, Aimee. It was tough leaving friends behind, and starting over in a new town. I remember what that was like. I moved eight times as a child! So I was determined for her to not get lost–spiritually and emotionally–in the moving shuffle. As we looked for a new church home, it was important for us to find a church that would encourage both my teen and my youngest daughter, then in elementary school.
We found a church the girls liked a lot, so at the information counter I asked how I could get my teen plugged in quickly to a group of like-minded girls.At the same time, I and others prayed for her to form close friendships with Christian girls.
Within two days, Aimee was invited to a teen July barbecue which led to her connection in small groups throughout her high school years. Friendships she formed remained strong through college, and now–seven years later–many of those girls will be in her wedding.
Aimee’s being nurtured in teen Bible study groups also led to a strengthening of her faith in God. That helped her and her friends resist negative pressures in high school and college. It also led Aimee to seeking, and now marrying, a godly man.
One aspect of the teen ministry I loved was the focus on discipleship of younger girls, as older teens grew in faith. This led Aimee in college to confidently lead Navigators groups, while was also getting her degree in education.
So as I watch that July video, I don’t just think of the pleasure of a summer day, with all in it created by God for our pleasure. I think of people who are dedicated to nurturing the lives of others–including my own daughter, and how she, in turn, has learned to do the same.
God knew exactly what my daughter needed, from the moment we packed our bags in Washington and she tearfully said goodbye to her friends to set out for unknown Iowa. He knew how young adults in teen ministry would impact her life. And he knows Aimee’s future too–people she will someday reach for Christ.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV Bible)
Visit the website for Ryan Seiler at http://www.ryanseiler.com, where you can watch another great music video and connect with him on Facebook and Twitter.
NOTE: We also have articles about serious issues for/about teens and the people who love them and minister to them, at our suicide prevention site. Here are links to a few of those articles. Sharing these links may help save a teen’s life.
Help – I Cut Myself and Self-Injure
Help Me Cope: My Best Friend Killed Himself
Life After a Failed Suicide Attempt
Cyberbullied: Handling Mean Texts and Online Posts
© Laurie Winslow Sargent. Laurie edits Finding God Daily, and is an author/contributor and magazine article writer. She blogs for parents at ParentingByFaith.com and for writers at SellYourNonfiction.com. Join her on Twitter as @LaurieSargent.
Read Wendy’s story about how she as a teenager found faith in Christ, which led to her own ministry to teens: http://bit.ly/PvwPj9