A vivid prophetic imagery of a true watchman with feet holding their ground on the floor looking up, around and within holding the trumpet which is the only thing he has up there. Ready to blow it at anytime he sees impending threat nearing the city. Attentive to the words of His mouth and carefully observing His intervention so as not to lose the least hint of instruction or direction.
Standing upon his watch, the watchman could clearly view how the Bible paints a very interesting picture of the End-Time. A view only we, who were placed in the watching Church, can perceive. We alone can grasp the gloom and the glory of our time. With this, we are better prepared to function successfully in this era.
The true Church of Christ in the final lap of completing the Book of Acts is holding ground on her mandate as overseer and watchman in the present age. It is not mere broadcasting of a claim but an open testimony of the calling from above - with the chief watchman, no less than the Apostle in the End-Time, leading this so great undertaking to keep in watch until the coming of the Lord.
Each component of the body of Christ has equal share of responsibility: to be vigilant over oneself and for others around him-both those who are in the Church and who are still outside. If all in the older sector of the Church are geared for the defense and offense of the faith, the youth have one and the same path to take.
"I WILL STAND UPON MY WATCH, AND SET ME UPON THE TOWER, AND WILL WATCH TO SEE WHAT HE WILL SAY UNTO ME, AND WHAT I SHALL ANSWER WHEN I AM REPROVED." - Habakkuk 2:1
"And what I say to you, I say to all, WATCH." - Mark 13:37
The knowledge of the End-Time and the unequivocal conviction to remain watchful are two distinctive factors why only the true Church of Christ headed by a true and living apostle of God can stand its ground as the true watchman. While other faith-groups are dealing with difficult struggles and issue in our culture, we are rather focused on preparing every man to be acceptable before the Lord. While institutions would want to cut kid crimes, train teen parents, fight drug use, fight child labor, improve the moral compass of our youth culture, stomp out idealism, help school drop-outs, and prevent youth violence, the Youth Department of the Church is laboring to bring them to Christ who is the ultimate solution to all these problems.
In this time of year, we are commemorating our blessedness in the morning years of our life. And as we celebrate God's goodness and grace let us take pleasure in the life-mission we have received from our Creator until all our vision is actualized. The observance of the National Young Watchers Month focuses on the theme "Spirit-filled Youth Ministry for Youth Evangelization" inspired by the words of the Lord in Acts 2:17-18. It doesn't only highlight our evangelistic responsibilities but also the five-fold mission we believe the Lord has entrusted to each and every youth in the Church.
These five components of our mission are but the same with the great mission God has given his sent-one. The Apostle is the one who carries the authentic End-Time mission. And we, as co-workers are giving our right hands of fellowship with him in keeping on Watch until the coming of the Lord.
WIN
Local youth departments are charged to mind the youth that we have, and also to always reach out to those who need to know Him. Our local youth ministry should and would always spark the fire in the lives of young people with truth of Christ. God wants to reach all young people, and win them to Christ. Our faith must grow in learning that evangelism is not only our responsibility but our privilege as well. We are called to be His witnesses (Acts 1:8). We proclaim not a simple message about Jesus Christ and about good fortune and abundant life and well-being, but rather, we bring the apostolic gospel - the true and pure Gospel proclaimed by His true Sent-Ones. We bring the End-Time message of watchfulness.
ASSOCIATE
Once young people become believers, they are received and welcomed to the company of youth believers. In the youth department, they are being cared for and guided by mature fellow youths to become active and strong members of the Body of Christ. In the company of grown-ups in the faith, true fellowship happens - they are being encouraged in their journey towards spiritual maturity.
TEACH
A local youth department could be called as the training ground of both the old and the new youth believers. It is where they are taught of the ways of the Lord (Matthew 28:30).
Discipleship aims to empower every youth believer with the knowledge they ought to have to be able to walk the true and acceptable Christian life. It is where we are being strengthened and built up through and only through the molding and teaching of the apostle and his companions (Romans 16:25).
CARE
When a young believer starts to feel the burden of making use of his resources for the advancement of the world of the Lord, he is ready to minister or care for the needs of others. Only a mature Christian can minister for the weak utilizing God's spiritual and natural gifts. Only a mature Christian youth will find opportunity to serve to fellow youths, to the local Church, and to the full-time mission.
HONOR
To honor God, is to have this end in view in all that we do: whether we eat or drink or whatsoever we do, 'this to be done for the glory of God.' (Romans 12:1)
To honor God is our reason for existence. Each local youth organization has to do those things that shall set His character in the strongest and most attractive light, and that shall lead men thoroughly to understand and appreciate God's character. The youth body must always consider showing forth the character of Christ in our spirit, and in all that we do. It is to be our chief aim to set forth His will, His law, and His whole rule as perfect, and to make it lovely and desirable as to draw the hearts of men to Himself. This will encourage them to confide in Him, to love Him, and to obey Him. To honor God in whatever we do is to have this great end in view in all our ways, to make ourselves living mirrors reflecting the image of God.
The youth ministry in the Church of Christ in the end-time portrays not only a radical and deep-seated youth organization but a true watchman standing on his watchtower. Our standing upon the tower, or high place, intimates our prudence, in making use of the helps and means we have within our reach to know the mind of God, and to be instructed concerning it. And because we expect to hear from God we must withdraw from the world, and get above it, must raise their attention, fix their thoughts, study the scriptures, consult experiences and the experienced, continue instant in prayer, and thus set ourselves upon the tower. Our standing upon our watch intimates our patience, our constancy and resolution, thus we are rest assured that thousands of young people are standing upon their watch...waiting for the time when we behold the marvelous sight of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
