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Rachel's Corner



Over the last four weeks, on Monday’s we have heard from a few of the staff at Emmanuel.  This week, Rachel Bueckert, our Director for Youth Ministries, has said "yes" to sharing a few thoughts from her corner. 


 

Hi friends!

 

I’m writing to you from home, where I’ve been working for the past couple of months like many of you. It’s been a unique and challenging experience, learning how to engage the youth from a distance. And yet, I do think that this season has resulted in some positive things for our youth group as well.

 

I heard a quote recently that said as people, we’re bent towards religious systems rather than relationship with God. I’ll admit that with all the challenges of working from home and not being together in person, it’s been tempting at times to just maintain a “religious system” (a youth program online), rather than on pointing the youth to a relationship with God.

 

But as I see God at work in our youth group, I’m continually reminded of why I do what I do. The joy I get from seeing God at work motivates me to continue pursuing Him, rather than just run a program. My desire (and God’s desire!) for the youth know Him replaces the temptation to coast. This season has its challenges for sure, but it also provides opportunities - if I choose to take advantage of them. There are opportunities for new ways of connecting with youth, connecting with more youth online than I was able to before, more time for prayer, refocusing on what’s important, and more. I’m reminded of some verses that encourage me to take advantage of these opportunities:

 

“Be very careful then, how you live – not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16

 

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Cor. 4:16-18

 

Some of the wins that have come out of this season are directly related to the fact that we can’t meet in person. Youth has moved to an online format over Zoom, and to my surprise, there has been a bigger turnout of youth each week than there was when we were meeting in person. One of the main reasons for this is that their extracurricular activities have been cancelled, freeing up the youth to attend our group on Tuesday nights. Another reason is the easy accessibility of joining our group online, even from far away.

 

Even more exciting has been the deeper connections that have grown through small groups. Each youth is part of a small group, led by one of the volunteers. On Zoom, we’ve been able to have longer small group conversations than usual. I think this has allowed for deeper conversations, more time to pray for one another, and stronger connections between the youth and their small group leaders. It has made me realize how significant that time is.

 

I pray that there will be some unique opportunities for you as well in this season, big or small. Though what we see around us may look messy and inconvenient, God is fulfilling his purposes in ways that we cannot see. 

 

Blessings to all of you!

Rachel



​Thank you, Rachel, for sharing from your corner, and it has been a blessing to have you part of the Emmanuel community. If you would like to say hi to Rachel, please email her at rachel@ebap.ca 

I am sure she would enjoy hearing from you.


Blessings and stay safe,

Robin


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