Sunday mornings are atypical for our Element youth. While many kids their age are either sleeping in or taking it easy, many of our youth wake up at 7am and get into their ImpACT and Joyland shirts to welcome and serve elementary school children. ImpACT is our inner city ministry, where we invite elementary school kids from Oakland to join us for a time of academic enrichment. Several of our youth volunteer as team leads trying to guide and teach eager young hearts that look to them as their role models and mentors. Some other Element youth volunteer for our children's ministry called Joyland, where they help with everything from lighting to serving as teacher's assistants.
Yes, they get tired, but I know that seeing the smile on our ImpACT and Joyland kids makes it all worth it it for them. And I can see that our Element youth get a glimpse into God's love for them as they love the children. Compare that to just having another lazy Sunday, and the Element Sunday clearly holds more reward.
Luke 9:48 - Then he said to them, "Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me.."