Students Stories

In early in 2010 I was teaching a series of studies on Job; his suffering and faithfulness. The week after we finished the class I walked into the room and posed only one question to the students, “If you could complain to God about anything what would it be?” I had them take their time and be real and raw, that God could handle their complaints. There was complete silence for literally five or so minutes. Just when I thought no one was going to speak a young girl asked, “Why does God allow bad things to happen to innocent people?” Another young girl asked why God doesn’t heal all the time. It became a domino effect. One after another began to express deep theological questions they had. Time quickly flew by and class was over. I could tell by the faces in the room some students still had stuff they wanted to share so I explained I would be hanging around if anyone wanted to talk. After I dismissed I began putting the chairs away and noticed a young lady standing at the door and behind her was a line of students. One by one I sat with them as they shared stories of hurts they had or were dealing with. I thought for a moment, “What can of worms did you open?”  Little did I know that class sparked something in the hearts of the students bigger than I expected.

A week later I was approached by a few students who wanted to do something about all the “stuff” their peers were dealing with. They came up with the idea for an event where they would share their stories through small drama skits and then with personal testimonies encouraging their peers they weren’t alone and there was hope. I agreed but, I gave one condition. The event would be run completely by students; leaders would help organize but not take the stage. What began as one simple question turned into our yearly “Un” event. The name comes from the title of our first event, Unalone. During these events students share stories of struggles with alcohol, drug addiction, broken homes, molestation and pornography addiction. It’s very real and raw but it’s not all somber. Student share how, through their struggle, they were able to find hope, forgiveness and restoration in Jesus Christ. My proudest moments as a youth pastor have been watching students pull back the curtain of their lives and reveal how they were able to get through their personal pain with their personal savior.