It was the most amazing thing I ever saw in ministry. About 350 skaters were there that night; our best count was 60 of them rode to the middle and responded to the invitation to receive Christ!

Larry and I were in the back of the gym in tears! This is what it's all about; this is why we worked so hard to provide a place for John's friends. It was a great moment for our team. That was May 3, 2004. On May 8, we rented a bus and took a bunch of the skaters to the civic center to see the demo. Ten more skaters accepted the invitation that was given that night.

Larry's Legacy

Larry had kidney problems - severe enough that he needed to dialysis each week. He also had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Larry was dying, and May 3 Hang Time was his last. He was admitted to the hospital a couple days later, where he wasn't estimated to live much longer.

I went to visit Larry, and what a great time of praising God we had! I mean we had just seen more than 70 skaters accept Jesus in a week! Talk about a miracle!

We spent a long time together reminiscing about the mission trips, pizza parties, all-nighters and Bible studies. Then Larry said to me, "Brent, this week at Hang Time, I want you to share my story with the skaters. Tell them what I was like before Jesus and what I was like after. Make sure you tell them I love them and want nothing more than to have them know Jesus like I do. Tell them I know where I'm going when I die and want them to know for sure, as well. Tell them my story!"

Talk about a heavy load. I hugged him, told him I loved him and that I was so thankful to have had the honor of serving the Lord with him. We prayed together, and I left his room for the last time.

On May 15, 2004, Larry went home to be with the Lord. On May 17th, 2004, the skaters showed up for Hang Time as they had done every week for four years. On this night, we welcomed about 70 new followers of Jesus. At halftime, I asked everyone to gather around the "fun box," where I shared the news about Larry and told his story.

The place was silent. I saw hardened and streetwise skaters crying because they loved Larry and were sad to see him go. At the end of the talk, I closed with an invitation for anyone to come talk to any of the leaders if they wanted to know the assurance of faith in Jesus that Larry knew. That night, 20 more skaters put their faith in Christ!

What a month! Ninety skaters put their faith in Jesus Christ!

As I think about May 2004, it's with mixed emotion and the reality that God isn't just looking for the "American Idol" of youth leaders. He's looking for the Johns and Larrys who will be obedient to His call. He's looking for us to know who we are in Christ, embrace our identity, then passionately and authentically love God and people.

 

 

 

Brent Carl is the Vice President of Training Operations for Youth Ministry International, a mission organization specializing in providing training and resources for Youth Leaders worldwide. He is a youth ministry veteran, who loves to teach, preach, train and engage with students and those with whom he works. He is in his 19th year of full-time ministry to students, and writes a series of articles called "Lesson Learned," which chronicles things God has taught him during the past two decades. He is also a regular speaker at camps, conferences, colleges and churches and currently is lining up speaking engagements for 2008-2009.

 

 

If you would like more information on Brent and Youth Ministry International, please contact him at brent@ymionline.com, visit his blog at www.ninetyseventhree.blogspot.com, or check out what YMI is all about at www.youthministryinternational.com

 

 

Brent lives in Rochester, New York, with his wife Bonnie and two children.