French fries and Bible study.
That’s what is encouraging Youth Pastor Pelham Flowerdew at Grace Chapel (Halifax, NS) right now.
A high school student asked Pelham if he could start a Bible study for her and her friends.
So a couple large orders of French fries at the local Swiss Chalet and the book of Mark have been the Friday after-school ritual for Pelham and a circle of high school students.
They’re reading the book of Mark- line by line, word by word.
Jesus is jumping off the pages as they hear Jesus speak and watch him act.
They’re seeing Jesus push back against cultural and religious norms and standards.
They’re seeing up close the quiet revolution that the kingdom of God actually is.
They’re catching glimpses of the transformation of society from the inside out that God desires.
They are seeing Jesus in his encounters with people and they are being seen in a surprising way.
It’s a mysterious, intriguing look at Jesus.
Pelham is letting the text speak for itself trusting that the Spirit is present and active in each of the students’ lives.
He credits the mystery of high spiritual interest, faithful attendance, and good discussion among the students to the power of the Spirit.
This isn’t something he orchestrated.
So it’s with a humble and expectant heart he shows up every Friday –
knowing that God is persistently and tenderly drawing people into relationship.
Photo creds: Louis Hansel (Unsplash)