Making Space for Young Leaders

Our leaders follow the Spirit’s lead, who emboldens
our young people to live and share the gospel.

Sinead Henderson, Elder and Church Planter
Market Harborough, England, UK

Young people can and do love the Lord with just as much passion, energy, and creativity as those who have been walking with Jesus for many decades. Many young people have it on their hearts from the minute they accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour to go and tell their story to others and that is inspiring. They are not always as inhibited or lacking in drive in the way many people older than them sometimes are. Young people often have a confidence that comes naturally with youth that can be infectious. It is a beautiful thing to witness.

In our small church plant here in Market Harborough, UK, we were blessed with several young people as part of the launch team from its very beginnings. They have been at the forefront of our worship services, sharing their testimonies, their love of Scripture and their desire to acknowledge God in every aspect of their lives with the new and not yet believers who have been joining our small fellowship over the last couple of years. The youngest of our church family to have this missional mindset was only eight years old but bold for the gospel and with a heart full of a desire to honour and serve Jesus, both at church and at our community outreach events.

It is our belief that churches are for the whole family and the whole community. We believe every single person has a role to play and can find a way to participate in the life of the church, and this includes the children and the young people. In our small church, the children’s church leader is only twenty-two years old but has a heart for those even younger. Our team supports the children’s leader to go out and support our children in their journey of faith. Often a more meaningful and profound connection is made when the age gap is not so great!

As for the mission work that happens outside of our weekly church gatherings, the young people are full of ideas and initiatives. And we listen intently, carefully, and prayerfully. We very much know that the Lord is at work amongst our young people and if we don’t make room for them or listen to them, then we will miss out on the profound and important work God is doing through them. Not only are their ideas relevant, timely, and innovative but we are encouraging them to follow the call of Jesus and to lean into the leading of the Holy Spirit. It is not for us to put any limitations on them but to look to them for leadership now.

We are a team, a family. We all share one mission and that is to serve God in whatever ways he asks of us. And we serve God with all the resources and people he gives to us. We to go to all the people and communities he sends us to in order to love people in his name and tell them about the life saving truth of the gospel. Young people are being led right now to be at the heart of this mission. So, we as the church, should support, encourage, and embolden them in every possible way. Of course, we also cover them in prayer for the work the Lord is calling them to.