As a keen sports fan, the Olympics is an event that I always look forward to, when it rolls round every four years. With track and field athletics being, for me, the jewel in the crown of Olympic sports, it never fails to captivate me from start to finish. In a sport that is dominated by ‘individual’ performances, it is the only ‘team’ event, the relay, that is undoubtedly my favourite. A team of four athletes running equal predetermined distances, each passing a baton to the next person to continue the race.
60th Anniversary
Our class at Knock in Belfast this year celebrates its 60th anniversary. Our leadership team is made up of nine lads who all came through the Knock Class as teenagers. Some of the current Leaders can remember some of the other Leaders on the team entering the Class as 10 year-olds, progressing through their teenage years, to then join them on the leadership team after leaving school. We often remember and talk about the impact that the example and encouragement of Leaders who have gone before has had on our lives, as we seek to do the same for the young people in our care. The concept of passing the message of the gospel on from generation to generation, is one that we have had the privilege of experiencing first-hand through Urban Saints.
The relationship between the apostle Paul and his young disciple Timothy is one that resonates as we consider this concept. Paul has been both an example and encouragement to Timothy. In 2 Timothy 2:2, we see Paul passing the baton on to Timothy, who in turn will pass that baton on to others. “You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.”
Psalm 78:5 “…he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God…”
As we give thanks for those who have faithfully passed on the message to us, let us pray that God would equip and empower us to pass this incredible message of salvation on to those in our Groups, that we would see young people put their trust in God, and that they in turn would pass it on to others, and this would continue to a generation not yet born!
My own salvation was prompted by the honest action of an Urban Saints Leader on a sports pitch. Some six years later, I had the privilege of telling him the impact he had on my life all those years earlier. He had no idea, and indeed can’t even remember the incident that was oh so significant.
Whether you feel like you’re bounding along the home straight with the wind at your back, or you’re running on quicksand with no real sign of progress, remember the power and sovereignty of the One for whom we run. Trust Him to use our humble efforts as we persevere and endure. And rejoice that in Him there is always victory!
Kyle Alexander
Knock Urban Saints
