April is around the corner and you know what that means: Tax day.  I’m actually really looking forward to tax day this year, not because I’m excited about writing a check to Uncle Sam.  Instead, I’m excited about tax da
y because it just so happens that April 15^th is also the day that the Leadership Training for Christ convention starts in Richland, Washington.   This the fourth year we have participated in LTC and this year we have a strong group of 15 kids in the program.  LTC is designed to help young people (3^rd grade through 12^th grade) develop themselves to be servants and leaders for Christ.  One thing I especially like about LTC is that includes an emphasis on Bible knowledge with practical training in skills that they can explore and then use in service to the body of Christ.

The 2016 Theme is “Refuge” and is taken from the Old Testament books of Joshua, Judges, and Ruth.    Prior to March 1, many participants submitted items that will be judged prior to the convention and on display when everyone arrives.   Some of these things include T-Shirt design, Worship Banners, Powerpoint presentations, Christian fiction, poetry, and a service challenge.    One of our Keizer kids actually won the T-Shirt design event last year and got her design on the T-Shirt for the convention (see below).

As for Bible knowledge, the participants have been reading Joshua, Judges, and Ruth and studying them for the Bible Bowl portion of the convention which happens on Friday evening.  On Saturday morning, individual participants have opportunities to give speeches, lead singing, interpret songs for the deaf, and read Bible passages.  All of this is done under the watchful and encouraging eye of “judges” who provide positive and constructive feedback to all the participants.       After the Saturday morning sessions, we take a quick lunch break down at a park at the edge of the Columbia River and then head to the Richland Church of Christ building for the group events.   These group events are a lot of the focus, as churches put together dramatic plays, acapella choruses, puppet plays all connected to the theme for the year.

The Saturday evening session includes highlights from the day, including encore performances by groups that excelled in one category or another.   That evening, our group gathers at Dairy Queen for our traditional debriefing, dessert, and group picture where we pass out the judges’ comments and encouraging words.  That is always a highlight for me as I listen to these young members of our church rejoice in victories and determine to do better in areas where they have room for improvement.     The next day is a great day of worship with around 300 Christians from around the Northwest, led in worship by the young men who participated in LTC events related to worship leading.  Many people come away from that morning refreshed and encouraged about the future of the church, as represented in these young people.

Please pray for our Keizer participants and their adult sponsors as they prepare for LTC this year.  The last two weeks before LTC is a sprint.  They are cramming for the Bible bowl, putting last minute touches on all their events, and experiencing some stress.   Pray that God will help them remember what it is all about and that they will keep a positive and joyful perspective.    Pray also for safety on the road trip.  We leave at around noon on tax day.  DTW