The Hartford Church’s Teen Ministry took center stage to lead our worship in song, prayer, and preaching the Word. The service focused on the armor of God and four teen men preached on this subject with passion and humor. Will Walter and Jason Gingerich stepped up to study the text (Ephesians 6:10-18) and then exegete the passage for the approximately 400 participants at the two services.
The early service began with rousing singing and was highlighted early on by the teen women performing “Pocketful of Sunshine,” most recently sung at the Women’s Night at the Town Hall. (Click here to see video.)
Following a communion speech by teen leader, Vitalij Staroverov, and a contribution talk by newly baptized teen disciple, Drew Cline, Jenny Coe and Ayo Owodunni presented an amazing version of the song, “The Prayer.” Cynthia Pascual and Samenthur Daley helped out with the announcements. Dillon Woodley led a prayer. But there was a particular buzz in the auditorium this day primarily because the teen men had never before in our church’s history combined for a sermon.
Julius Ferrer – fearless teen leader who, finances allowing, we will add to the staff this coming summer – began our time with a powerful lesson on “the belt of truth.” If we are wishy washy on truth, we will be spiritually embarrassed – just like we can be with loose pants and no belt. (Click here to see video.)
Nick Bissonnette came up next and delivered a very straight-forward call to put on the breastplate of righteousness. His clear cry was for people of all ages to “do the right thing!” He shared practically how he had to make a choice between a rap concert and a time with the teen guys that week. What was right was clear, but peer pressure and the pull of the world was at work too! He asked the crowd about issues like sharing our faith, attending worship services, helping out those in need and more. (Click here to see video.)
Julius made another trip to the podium to preach on having our shoes on to share the gospel of peace. He walked through several Bible verses but also told of Heather and his time at the mall, reaching out to others whether they were open or closed to the gospel. He added that we can share the gospel of peace with each other too, and help our brothers and sisters deal with anxiety and stress. (Click here to see video.)
Marquis Fisher was the preacher for the part of the armor called the shield of faith. He talked of all that goes on in the life of a senior in high school – the pull to pick a great college, the pressure to be an example for younger teens, the challenges with the academic load and more. Marquis called us to a faith in God that will protect our hearts. (Click here to see video.)
Noah Mata brought down the house with his memorable illustration of a football helmet as he taught on the helmet of salvation. Drawing on the story of Ben Rothlisburger, he preached how we can win a spiritual Super Bowl, with God’s helmet on, or end up tragically injured in our own spiritual motorcycle wreck. Noah shared that we need the helmet of God for our crashes for sure, but we also must be unashamed and even proud of the emblem on the side of the helmet signifying Christ. (Click here to see video.)
The last speaker was Daniel Gifford and he taught on the topic of the sword of the Spirit, the only offensive weapon. Daniel challenged us to use the sword, and as we do – it will cut open peoples’ hearts as it did in Acts 2. He talked of the importance of the Bible and its work in teaching, rebuking and training us. (Click here to see video.)
The 9 AM worship hour was packed out, as 235 people gathered to hear the teens’ pleas and worship God. The 11:30 AM service was very powerful too, as we learned again that people do not have to be “on ministry staff” to preach and teach with conviction.
And so the message was sent. We are all to put on the full armor of God every day and go out to the spiritual battlefield. We were certainly inspired by those who preached to do that in greater ways in the future.
