Igniting a Passion for Christ

Darren and Jenn Petersen, a dynamic couple new to the Radiant team, are igniting a passion for God in worship and youth group activities. They‘ve recently moved back to Oregon after serving the Lord at Glory of Zion Church in Texas. Darren, who has a degree in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas, is a gifted member of the Radiant worship team, drawing us into God‘s presence with saxophone, flute, and clarinet. “Encountering God engages your intellect, your emotions, your whole person. Being in the presence of God begs a response. That response is worship.”

The Petersens lead Junior High during the Gatherings. They also rotate leadership of biweekly Junior High meetings with Rich and Stacie Butler and Eric and Jane Carter. “The Junior High kids studied the Book of John in the last couple of months. When the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14), God took the form of a real man. Jesus got tired, hungry, and sleepy; He had emotions. “I like to introduce kids to Jesus, rather than telling them about Him. Jesus is a member of their peer group. And as kids get involved in service projects, it‘s really about them getting to know Jesus and the people who know Him.”

“We taught the kids how to personalize Scripture, and had some fun with nursery rhymes. ‗Jack be nimble, Jack be quick‘ became, ‘Oh God! I want to be nimble, give me more quickness!‘ Then we went back to Scripture and personalized verses there. ‘Lord, You are my Shepherd; I shall not want.‘ (Psalm 23:1)  “A key component in loving God is taking time to be silent. With the Junior Highers, we quiet ourselves and listen to Him for seventeen seconds. Then we share what we hear. In everyday life, Jesus has to cut through the fog of the media, their friends, and family issues. God wants to get their attention and show them that they‘re loved, so they can love Him back.”

“As a father of six children, I realize that something creative has to happen in me where God shows me how to communicate with my kids, even in disciplining them. Yet more important is this: I pray God would grab a hold of their heart. Youth, we‘d like to encourage you in this: relax. Jesus loves you right where you‘re at. Read a little of the Bible – not the whole thing; just a little. When you asked Jesus into your heart, the Holy Spirit came to live in you. In every situation, don‘t forget to ask Holy Spirit what He thinks. We need to ask, What is my assignment where the Lord has placed me? What should I be praying into? Then we need to write it down and put it where we can see it every day.”