A Yearly Example
by Dennis Jaeger
Have you ever said or heard phrases like, “What is wrong with young people today?” or “The world is in trouble if this is any example of the next generation?” If so, you join the voices of many, many generations prior to you. Socrates (according to Plato) in the 4th century BCE said that “children now love luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise.” Aristotle, Plato, and many others of antiquity wrote similar things.
I would like to propose a divergence from this line of thinking. Every year in March, Impact is blessed to receive college and high school students who choose to use their Spring Break serving lonely, hurting, wounded people they’ve never met in the heart of Houston. There are hundreds of other exciting things these young people could be a part of over their Spring Break. These are not the Spring Break trips that make the news. They come, serve quietly without applause, and show everyone who crosses their path what a life changed by the love of Jesus looks like. If I may be so bold, if this is an example of who the next generation will be, the future of our world is in good hands.
This year, Impact received groups from ACU, Crestview Church of Christ, Lubbock Christian High School, Westover Hills Church of Christ, Adams Boulevard Church of Christ, and Lubbock Christian and Harding Universities. They accomplished a large number of work projects, did cookouts and outreach to apartments Impact works in, worked with our Resource Center and our Outdoorsmen, put on a week-long VBS and activities and lessons with our Youth, ministered to elderly and disabled adults, put on a huge clothing giveaway, and much, much more.
We are eternally grateful for their service, kindness, love, and desire to serve Jesus with their free time. They, and so many of you, are vital puzzle pieces who come together to make Impact the beautiful mosaic that it is. May we all follow in their example and serve Jesus with our free time!
