<typohead type="3">National Youth Co-Ordinator </typohead>

Over the last three years I’ve spent a good deal of time travelling around, facilitating discussions about youth ministry, running camps, delivering speils. I’ve spent hours preparing beforehand, thinking, learning from others, researching, planning details, crafting my words. When I ask people afterwards what stood out to them, more often than not, it’s not what I’ve said or done – it’s how I’ve said or done it. The thing people have appreciated most is the passion I’ve brought to what I’ve done.

It’s something I can’t help giving – I care so much that it’s just part of the package. I know a good number of you reading this know what I’m talking about. One of the common traits about youth leaders is that we care a lot, and it comes through in what we do. When we give our passion it can be a real blessing - but it can also be a burden. Giving passion can be costly. When we give it in abundance, it can leave us feeling tired and drained, which not only impacts on our lives, but can also impact on the lives of loved ones around us. Youth ministry history books are littered with super-passionate youth leaders who have burnt out too soon – and burnt their families and friends out in the process.

Passion is a gift - and we need to treat it as such. I hope this issue of Fuel inspires you this Easter season not only to think about where Passion is in your youth ministry, but how you take care of it in your life so that when you share it with others, it is a blessing.

May your Easter be Passion-filled,

Arohanui