ColoradoBaptists.org

As a youth worker, you have probably noticed that teenagers live the seasons of the year differently than the rest of the population.  Whereas the rest of the United States marks the year with fall, winter, summer and spring-or perhaps Labor Day, New Year’s, Tax Day, Memorial Day, and the end of the fiscal year-those in high school use other markers to commemorate the passing year.  The teenage calendar marches through the first day of school, homecoming, winter break, spring break, prom, and the first day of summer vacation.

For our juniors and seniors, though, we need to add one more marker along the way:  college season.  That additional layer of online searches, college applications, entrance exams, and campus visits sets them on a course for post-high school life and learning.

The college season also brings new challenges and opportunities to us as youth workers:  will students’ faith thrive or fizzle?  After graduation, will our kids go out of their way to engage or disengage with a faith community?  Regardless of students’ particular circumstances-their choice of school, how far away they live, whether they will be working in a job-we as youth workers have a limited amount of time to hopefully and prayerfully set students on a trajectory of lifelong and passionate pursuit of Jesus.

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