When I was a teen I was involved in a church that sent us into our community to serve in tangible ways. We grew as Christians by working on missions projects. Since we were only an hour from Tijuana, there were many opportunities for ministry south of the border in neighborhoods so poor that just the sights and smells cured us of our adolescent attitude of entitlement.

Our student ministry here at Dayspring provides a wide variety of connection points. Some events appear to be just for fun. They draw in many young people who don't know much about God and present them with the gospel. Other events are clearly designed to deepen the faith of those who are already following Christ.

In today's Message About Purpose and Strategy, I want to get the word out for you to bring in new socks and drop them off at the Student Ministries registration table in the lobby. Socks? Yes, the teens will be using a day of their winter Base Camp (next weekend!) to engage in some street ministry in Portland. Ministry opportunities don't just play an important role in the spiritual maturation of teens, we all need to serve in order to grow more like Jesus our Lord. Look for opportunities to minister the love to Christ to the needy. And remember to drop you new sock donations off in the lobby this weekend.