A few years ago, I was given the privilege of leading our churches youth group for over a year. I was excited to be given this responsibility since after raising 4 children through various church youth programs, I was pretty discouraged about the direction of youth groups and the fact that less than 1% of this generations teens consider themselves Born Again Christians. I really wanted to make disciples of these junior high and high schoolers. I felt the Holy Spirit guiding me to challenge them. So, along with weekly bible studies, I convinced our wise pastor of this church to direct some of the churches funds towards the youth so I could fund a documentary film project we called “The Big ?” It was to be a series of films asking people what certain holidays meant to them. The first holiday was Christmas.
We rented a pro level video camera and mic and hit the streets filming all the different responses to the big question. It was great to watch these kids step up to the challenge. After each outing they would gathering around in little groups to laugh, discuss and marvel at the different interviews now in the can. It was shocking how almost no one connected Christmas with the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. Very eye opening for kids. It amazed them how much they knew and understood about Jesus that others did not know. We did get two very well and thought out responses that nailed the meaning of Christmas. Unfortunately both came from homeless men living on the street. One of those men is pictured above. It was clear he had suffered a serious head injury and yet could fondly remember his normal past. He would slur his words as he spoke, but at one point in the interview as he began to talk about Christ, his speech completely cleared and he would play worshipful christmas songs like “Silent Night” perfectly. He lovingly reminded all the kids that once all the presents were all opened and put up on shelves and in drawers, all you will have left is Jesus Christ and His love. His interview was powerful and what the kids decided to use for ending the documentary when editing. Though rough and not perfectly pro in quality, the documentary was powerful and after its showing at church three lost souls were born again through Jesus Christ. It’s not the truth that sets you free, it’s “knowing the truth” that sets you free. John 8:32 “hen you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
the Jesusfreak
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