Kandice Rice
Director of Next Gen Student Ministry at Stithton Baptist Church
Radcliff, Kentucky, USA
Tell us about a moment in ministry where you couldn’t help but say all hope felt lost, but God _____.
The number of registrations we received for our first Dare 2 Share event were minimal. If I’m honest, my outlook was pretty bleak, and I was extremely disappointed when only four kids showed up that morning for the event.
But just like with Gideon versus the Midianites (Judges 7), the Lord used a small number to have a big impact. Within an hour of starting the event, those four kids had sent messages to a bunch of other students telling them to come to the event as well. By lunch, more than 20 students had shown up, and they all went out into the community and boldly shared the Gospel—many for the first time.
It was a reminder that we’re called to be obedient, regardless of the outcome. No matter the numbers, God is faithful, and He’s the one who provides the results.
What have you done to build a Gospel Advancing student leader team?
Once a month we have a Student Sunday. Our leadership team picks the theme, and then students run the entire night.
They’ll make announcements, lead games and small groups, and even teach the lesson. We’ve seen an increase in confidence and spiritual growth in the students involved in leading Student Sundays. Our younger students enjoy watching the older students teach and lead small groups.
It gives our students an opportunity to lead in a low-risk environment. And it forces us to back up what we believe: that young people can successfully share the Gospel.
Do you have an example of a Bible passage that doesn’t seem Gospel Advancing, but is? How does it tie into the Gospel?
With what shall I come before the Lord
and bow down before the exalted God?
Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
Even though this passage is from one of the minor prophets, it’s a beautiful reminder that we don’t have to work to pay for our sins. No matter how many offerings we make to God, we cannot repay the debt of sin.
But because of Jesus’s sacrifice, we don’t need to pay the price for sin. His righteousness becomes ours, giving us the freedom to walk with God, do good, and live our life humbly. People will notice God’s light and love reflected through us!
