God Is Faithful: Zach's Faith Journey- Part 2
Hi friends! Today we dive into part 2 of Zach’s faith journey. I love how his church did so much to pour into the children and how his parents, from a very early age, encouraged him to discern what his actual path in life may be. Enjoy!
Calvary was a huge church about 15 minutes away. They had almost 2,500 people coming each weekend, six full time pastors, and eight missionary couples or families around the world. Mom got me involved in worship team and a vibrant children’s ministry called Grace Place.
At Calvary, parents were asked to vow that when the time came, they would place the holy scriptures of the Old and New Testaments into their child’s hands and instruct them in how to read it. In the fall, the church held a ceremony that honored this intention. There were over 60 third graders, and their parents, that were invited to the front of the entire public assembly of worship. It felt like an impactful moment since almost 1,000 people had focused their attention on us.
Pastor Steve, our main pastor, began a homily explaining what was about to happen. He started by showing us his Bible. It had markings everywhere. We could tell that he really used it. He then pointed us to Psalm 119:105. It was a verse that had been highlighted in every single one of the Bibles that were being distributed to our parents to hold.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105 (ESV)
He then took out a flashlight that he had received from a friend years prior. However, it was not a typical flashlight. The AV team brought down the lights in the church and the sanctuary became dark. Pastor Steve turned the flashlight on, and we were like, “Whoa!” We could see that it would cast light not only on our feet but also on the path. It was designed so that if we went camping, we knew that we were not stepping on something dangerous, but at the same time showed us where we were going. Then the worship team started singing and harmonizing that verse, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”
There was a hush as the lights started coming back up. Pastor Steve then said, “Alright parents, you can now place scriptures in your child’s hands.” Together, my mom and dad gave me my Bible. I felt shivers go through my body. We were told that this was a book that we were supposed to use. It was not a coffee table book. It was not meant to be put on the shelf and forgotten. No, no, no. Instead, we were told to get pencils and pens, little sticky notes, and highlighters and mark this up. It was our own personal Bible. We were to interact with it. This was God’s word for us.
If I were to reflect on it now, what made it a profound moment was that it was such a visual representation of what the Bible did for us spiritually. The Bible is not some cultural artifact or merely a symbolic book that has nice stories. It's a trove of wisdom and truth. It is a testament to God's plan of salvation. We can find everything we need in the Bible. It is the word of God. It shows us where we are standing and helps us identify our surroundings, but it also illuminates a path forward.
Once I had my Bible, I brought it to church most Sundays. If I did not really understand the sermon, I read the Bible instead. I even remember one time when I was in my basement, I had my Bible and I played church. I put some chairs up as my pews and created an order of worship. I also chose the scripture to preach on. It was from Job. Like, nice Zach. Really? Job?
I think how kids play and what they play can be informative of what their desires and natural talents may be. Often my parents and grandparents asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” There were many times when I got fixated on something. Cooking for example. I loved to be in the kitchen, cooking, baking, and making up new recipes. I remember my cousin, who lived across the street from me, and I made up a recipe. It was an Italian sausage pasta, but we used ketchup and mayo as the sauce and fried up little slices of hot dogs with seasoned salt for the sausage. We loved being in the kitchen, making stuff up, and feeling cool. After an experience like that I would tell my parents, “I want to be a chef.” They then asked, “Do you really want to be a chef or do you just like cooking?”
From an early age, they tried to help me distinguish between what was an interest, a vocation, and a calling. I was intrigued by so many things. I even announced I wanted to be a pro boat driver! But ministry was one of those things that I mentioned. My parents asked me, “Do you actually want to be a minister, or are you just a committed Christian who has a deep faith?” At the time, I thought perhaps it was just another example of yet another interest, but you know, the Lord gets what He wants.
Ultimately, there were a lot of little steps along that path to where I am now.
In 4th grade I received communion for the first time. Prior to that point, we still had to go up to the railing and cross our arms, or at least not put our hands out, so the people distributing communion would not give it to us. I was at the little kneeler next to all these people taking this little wafer and cup of juice or wine. They were praying and had a reverent look on their face that I did not feel a part of. There were times where I thought, “This is dumb. Why do I have to come up here if I don’t get to eat it?”
At Calvary, they wanted us to have a robust understanding of what communion meant. In 4th grade, we started three weeks of Bible study with a pastor. He taught us what it meant to take communion. We opened scripture and navigated to where Jesus instituted this meal and said, “This is my body given for you.” It was wild to think about how He was giving himself to us.
We made stoles to wear to the special communion service that was held in the evening. My parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and both sets of my grandparents came. My friend, Mary, read part of the gospel lesson that night. The pastor did the sermon and blessing of the elements. Every detail was thought out. We were even given these little two-inch, painted, clay chalices, which were made by a local artist, to keep.
As we got closer and closer to the actual time we got up and received communion, there was an excitement that was building. We knew it was not just any other bread and wine. Because of the three-week course, communion was no longer just a symbol. We really believed that Christ was present in taking this.
We brought up our chalice and had the pastor fill it with wine. After taking the bread and wine, this warmth washed over me. I had this sense of God’s nearness to me. In that moment, I felt that God was for me. It transformed something that was every day, eating and drinking, into something much deeper. It was one of the many touchstones in my journey.
When I reached middle school age, I entered a new part of Calvary’s ministry, referred to as Wednesday Night Live. During that time, I experienced something that challenged me to see where my mission field was.