On a recent Sunday night, many citizens in Colleton County and surrounding areas gathered at our Civic Center for a Community Prayer Vigil, which was inspired by three groups of our students. Their concern was the continual gun violence that has plagued our small community, so they felt the need for us to come together to pray because they are fearful and worried. After sharing this with one of their advisors, Ms. Sonya Stephens, she worked with the students and others to bring about this prayer vigil. It was an awesome move of God! Love and peace radiated across that room. Then what should come next in dealing with this violence?
When I was growing up on Wiley Street, attending Sunday school and church was the “main attraction” for us as families. There was no such thing as telling our parents or grandparents that we did not want to attend. Trust me-the consequences would have been terrifying! My grandmother, Mrs. Lela Gelzer, could not drive. So we either walked to church, caught a ride with one of the other families, or my Uncle Tim and Aunt Lorrine Memminger took us when they bought a car. So, where am I going with this …?
I feel within my heart that if we want this violence alleviated in our beloved community, we need to start with getting our younger generation back to church. Thanks to so many “soldiers” of the former Wesley United Methodist Church, who made church the place to be for us to grow spiritually and in fellowship. The older men and women taught us well and set very good examples for us to follow, as mentioned in 1 Peter 5:3, “Not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock” (ESV).
Then what has happened in the church in recent years that young people overall don’t seem to have the desire to attend? These are a few reasons that I have heard about:
• We don’t have “a voice in the church.”
• I don’t have decent clothes to wear.
• Because I was arrested, they don’t want me to come back to the church.
• My parents are divorced, and our church frowns on divorce.
• I had a child out of wedlock.
If this is what we are doing to our younger generation, then it is little wonder that many of them choose not to be a part of the church. As Christians, we should not run people away, but draw them into the fold and make them feel a part of the Christian fellowship. A church with no youth ministry or good viable activities for them will not sustain the young people. They will withdraw, and when they come to church, the only thing they will anxiously wait to hear is “The Threefold Amen.” Always abound in the faith, and never leave home without Him!
