“A Call for Passion!”

By Pastor Dwayne White

Romans 12:11KJV states “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.”  The word fervent means having or showing great warmth or intensity of spirit, feeling, enthusiasm, etc.  In other words, if we are going to conduct business properly we are not to be slothful or lazy but be full of life, enthusiasm, and PASSION.

What business am I talking about-- the business of Youth Ministry, more specifically the business of the Radically Anointed Youth Group.  The word business means assignment or task and I believe God has called us or assigned us to the area of youth ministry to expand the Kingdom (God’s ways of doing things) to this generation.  But what it is going to take is PASSION.

 The Message translation of that same verse (Romans 12:11-13) reads, “Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.”  To me that verse is saying a lot.  The solution to burn out is Passion.  It also states that we have to keep ourselves fueled and excited.  In other words passion and excitement are a choice.  It is something that we have to put on as if we are putting on a jacket.  If it is really cold outside or windy, in order for the jacket to do it job effectively it must be a heavy jacket.  Passion works the same way.  It has to heavy, genuine, and real in order for it to do it’s job. 

When you are passionate about something you forget about consequences or pitfalls.  When you are really passionate about Youth Ministry you forget about the hustle and bustle of your day at work.  You for get about the many things you have to do when you get home from youth bible study or a teen outing. Passion causes you to emerge yourself in to the business of youth ministry.  I believe passion aids the anointing and helps us remove the burdens and destroy the yokes of teens.  Ask yourself, “When I’m working at RAYG, am I focused on removing burdens or am I dreading the many things I have to do when I get home?”  You see passion makes the difference between slothfulness and effectiveness.  The thing is once you have mastered passion at church imagine the difference it will make when you apply it to other areas of your life.  Passion is not something that just shows up, you have to summon it, call for it. God has placed it on the inside of you so let’s use it.  Passion is not just for when it’s something you like or your flesh wants to do whatever it is, it’s more effective when it is not something you want to do.  Many of you may be thinking, “For me to act like I’m passionate may seem phony.”  It’s not phony; it’s the power of God!  If your motives are right for what you are doing and you have done the proper things to acquire passion like prayer and reading The Word it will work. Before getting out of your car to come into RAYG get you a scripture like Ps. 77:14; Ps 29:11; Ps 18:1,2,32; Neh. 6:9; 2 Sam 22:33; 1 Sam 2:9,10; Josh 14:11 just to name a few.   Meditate on them a few minutes, ask God for His strength, receive it, and go do His work with excitement!
 
I said all of that to say, “Adult Workers should not in on Wednesday night or Sunday Night dragging!”  God has called us to a great work!!!  I believe in the anointing that God has placed in each of you so let’s tap in to it and change the lives of our young people!! Changing their lives is going to take something they haven’t seen consistently in their lives, PASSION for the things of God.  Passion for the things of God may be in their homes, but it’s definitely not in their world and that’s where we come in, bringing it to their world.  So let’s be excited about corporate prayer, greeting at the front door and front desk.  Are you fervent in spirit if you are leaning on the door or the tithe box while bathroom monitoring?  Let’s be excited and enthusiastic during announcements, praise reports, game, and offering.  And ecstatic when someone gives or rededicate their life to Christ.  It will make a difference!!!! Passion and excitement will draw teens to you and they will want to be a part of whatever you are doing, whether it be rap team, drama, step, sound, praise & worship.  This could be the missing ingredient to our lack of teen participation in ministry. When you put passion on for youth ministry there is glow about you because the fire of the Holy Spirit is burning in you ready to be released on a demon or devil that is tainting our teens.  So let’s be ready to release the God in us to bring life and joy to our teens (Rom 10:9-10).  Bring it I say!  Let’s Bring It!!!!
 
Prayer:  Father we ask that you forgive us for not operating in the zeal and passion that’s required to do your work.  Father, restore the joy, excitement, and enthusiasm that we once had for your work.  We believe that you have called us to ministry to teens and we know that you’re anointing and gifting is without repentance so we use what you have given us to your glory.  Father, we declare that we will no longer allow the cares of this world to dictate our passion for you and we wear our salvation and victory in JESUS CHRIST with joy!  Thank you Father for giving us everything we need for our lives and for ministry.  We believe to receive!!  Knowing that with you on our side our destiny is set towards SUCCESS regardless of what it looks like in the natural.  Youth ministry is the assignment you have given us and we will use it to sharpen our gifts for the kingdom.  Thank you Holy Spirit for reviving us and we are “fueled and aflame” for your work, In JESUS NAME!  AMEN!