As we celebrate OYP’s 7th Anniversary, we look back on the wonderful things that the Lord has done in the lives of our beloved young people and express gratitude for how the Lord is indeed raising up a generation for Christ. We share one of their stories here with you.
by Benjamin Neo, Kerygma School (2016)
The plentiful vineyard with laborers working alongside the Lord and the Father’s house with many rooms sums up my encounter with OYP. Through the office, I have come to see who I am; a beloved son of God, ransomed and saved by Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection and a fellow laborer, working alongside Jesus to do the Father’s will. I have also been blessed both as a recipient through the many retreats I attended and as a contributor during my work stint with it.
While attending Kerygma, a 2 week discipleship school, I experienced the merciful love of Jesus, which led to a key moment in my healing and helped me take on my true identity as a beloved son of God.
During a time of prayer ministry, I was prayed for after sharing about the shame and unworthiness I carried due to past experiences. The prayer team embodied the mercy of Jesus as they gently washed my feet, a paraliturgy of when Jesus washed the feet of the disciples at the Last Supper. Prompted by the Spirit, they spoke truths about Jesus’ love for me that opened up a safe and sacred space for me to be vulnerable with Jesus. I wailed, from the hurts that withheld me from encountering Jesus’ love leading up to this and for a helpless cry for Jesus, knowing that only in Him can I be saved. In carrying me physically and spiritually to Jesus, the prayer team became instruments for Jesus’ mercy and love to flow through and minister to me and convicted me of the truth that no sin or hurt is too great that Jesus cannot forgive or heal.
This experience aided my journey as an intentional disciple of Jesus, and led to an openness to labour in the Lord’s vineyard.
During my time with the office, I grew working alongside others who were intentionally following Jesus and laying down their lives so that others may live. I was challenged to put others first and to seek what Jesus desires for them even if they may not desire it for themselves. I also experienced the joy of the Good Shepherd who finds the lost sheep and welcomes it back to the Father’s house even amidst fatigue and personal struggles.
I praise and thank God for the blessing of OYP having personally experienced and also in the changing of so many lives that have passed through its doors. May the good works started through the promptings of the Holy Spirit be made complete and may we see the raising of a new generation for Christ in the local church.