Loving the Lost
by Assistant Pastor David Delaney

I recently listened to a message about America. The speaker rattled off startling statistics revealing the degradation that we as Americans have stooped to. As I write this article, the events of the Virginia Tech massacre are still hanging heavy in the news, my mind, and on the hearts of so many Americans, country- wide. The last several weeks have been some of the most fruitful weeks of evangelism that our youth ministry has ever seen. I have watched as our youth ministry has had a fire light under them with regards to evangelism. In the last four weeks we have seen over 160 people come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Yet, I am filled with heartache because I don’t want it to stop. I wonder if our teens’ hearts will continue to break for the lost… or if they will settle into being average adolescents again just “playing” church. I hate the truth of statistics because statistically they will lose that blazing fire to love the lost. It’s easy to go through life without loving the lost. If we were all honest, we’ve been there and maybe even are there right now.

But, evangelism is about a lifetime commitment. Since hearing the message on America, my mind has been consumed with the thought that we have to reach this generation. People all around us are crying out that this is the end… this is the worst that our world has ever been… America is going to hell in a hand basket… If Paul couldn’t save Rome, what can one 26-year old youth pastor do? But I refuse to give up; I refuse to quit. I may not be able to save America, but I can reach one more lost teenager in southern Indiana… or find a group of guys playing ball in South Louisville and offer them a drink that will cause them to never thirst again… I can tell one more… invite one more… reach one more! God never called us to be world-changers; He commissioned us to win the lost!

My resolution for the New Year was to love the lost… and with all that was in me I was going to let my light so shine… I was going to constantly be pointing others to Jesus. I’m glad to say I’m still trying to just reach one more. Will you join me? What a task! What a responsibility! It’s all about pointing people to Jesus!

In some ways, marriage is like a car. It’ll get you where you want to go, but you’ve got to put something into it. If you got a new car and never changed the oil, or got a tune up, that new car is going to malfunction. I’ve never understood why a couple will spend so much energy, time, and money on a wedding, but expect their marriage will automatically be great. Marriages are made in heaven, but they must be maintained on earth. The key to having a healthy marriage is to continue to learn how to be a better wife or husband.