Today we had our first "Ask your Pastor" chapel! Our students submitted a variety of questions for our panel of Pastors and they took turns picking a question and answering to the best of their understanding! We are SO BLESSED to have such great Pastors in Newaygo county!
Below are the students questions and summaries of the answers! We are so thankful to be able to have these Pastors come answer some of the questions our students are wondering about!
-Why did God create birds, dogs, etc - God is the creator, He creates! God desired to create in His world. When we create we are reflecting the image of God.
-When we go to heaven, will we remember our past life on earth? - Yes! God is a God of story and He will allow us to share our stories with others and celebrate our story in heaven. We will know each other, but will have different relationships as we will all be focused on Jesus! We will build new experiences too in heaven!
-What made you want to be a pastor & were you afraid? Everyone’s story is different. Jordan - God gave me a really strong feeling that I needed to change my path and work with teens and kids and the church. I confided this feeling in my dad and he encouraged me to chase it down. I was not afraid! I followed where ministry has taken me and as long as I follow my calling I know I’m doing the right thing! Darren - winter of 1978 , during a snow storm and church at home, (I was in 5th grade) I gave a message on Daniel - I was terrified. I knew God wanted to do something in my life and so I listened in and tried some different things out. I did youth ministry, mission work, and over time God unfolded his plan for me. Mike - I never envisioned being a pastor. I grew up in church, but wasn’t saved until I was 21. Then God put a burden on my heart for the church. How could I grow up in the church and miss it? I wanted to be able to share the truth of scripture in a way where people would get it! Started as a youth and education guy at a church & became a youth pastor. In the 5th year of this, God made it clear to me that He was preparing me to be a pastor. I was then asked to pastor a church. God opened that door and it was my responsibility to go for it! Pastor means shepherd - we get to care for people! We care deeply about you!
-Why did God make grownups? - he didn’t, he made people, we start as babies and by His grace some of us make it! What a blessing!
-What is the difference between a believer and follower of Christ? - believer is someone who believes in Jesus Christ and that He died for our sins. Believing God IS who He is, is not the same as CHOOSING to follow Him.
-Why did God bomb hell? Why does hell exist? - God doesn’t desire anyone to be lost or anyone to be separated from Him. God longs for us to be with Him. The problem is, not everyone wants to follow God. God doesn’t send anyone to hell. People choose it by not choosing to follow God. Hell has to exist because sin exists. Hell isn’t meant for people it’s meant for sin. However we are attached to our sin, unless we bring our sin to God and change that through Jesus and the cross.
-How has the Middle East changed since Bible times - it looks different in terms of land, but the people and culture has changed the most. Culture changed and people wanted what they wanted. Evil kings were who ruled and changed the desires of culture. People started choosing to follow sinful people. It is now a big fight/struggle because people are doing what they want to do and not what God wants us to do! Some things are the same - even in the Bible times there was division amongst the regions.
Wow! Our students asked some great questions!
