“Then I said, "Alas, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, Because I am a youth." But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am a youth,' Because everywhere I send you, you shall go, And all that I command you, you shall speak.” Jeremiah 1:6-7. Jeremiah was young when he became a prophet in Judah. He thought he was too young, but God disagreed. Our Lord was able to turn this youth into a mighty prophet during a critical time in the history of the Jewish nation. Our Lord is able to do the same today through young people who are willing to dedicate their lives to Him. As the Lord’s church we need to baptize and disciple anyone who is responsive to the gospel young and old, but for the sake of the future of the kingdom we need to be keenly aware of whether our ministry is effectively reaching young people. Elders are responsible for shepherding the flock and elderly members tend to have more influence over what ministries we undertake than do our younger members. If we are not careful, the church can become an institution tailored to the elderly. The young get the impression that church is just for when you grow old and they lose interest in coming. This is a fatal mistake that many congregations are making today. Look around this morning. Do you see more grey hair than you do bright young faces? What needs to change so our young people know this is their church? Our youth need a voice. Take notice of the youth we have. Learn their names. Talk to them. You young people, learn the names of our elderly members and build friendships with them. Together let us focus on reaching kids, teens, young families, souls who will be able to carry on the Lord’s work when the rest of us are gone. “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth,” Ecclesiastes 12:1.