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For This I'm Grateful

Posted on July 14, 2011 by Marlo Jenkins

Two days ago Miriam and I drove our three teenagers (actually, I can’t say that anymore since our oldest turned 20 in June) to the airport and they left on a three-week missions trip to Ukraine with 18 other students and leaders from our church family. Certainly I miss them, but I am also very excited for them as they have this opportunity to serve in a cross-cultural situation.

I have also been reflecting on the various influences in their lives over the years. The church, and by that I mean the body of Christ-followers that they have had opportunity to interact with over the years, has been an incredibly positive influence on them. As parents, we are so thankful that our children have grown up in healthy church environments. We are so grateful that our children have had the opportunity to interact with other Christ-followers and learn from those who are older than they are. It’s the Titus 2 principle in action – the older pouring into the younger. What a great thing to observe, and experience the benefit of.

The fact that our children have consistently felt loved and accepted, and not judged, in the context of their church experience is very significant. I especially appreciate that our children have not felt the pressure of extra and unrealistic expectations because they are “the pastor’s kids”. Thank you for loving them as regular kids.

For everything we may hear about the church being judgmental, it has not been our experience, and I know there are a good many other local churches where this is also the case. Churches with genuinely loving environments, where sin is challenged but grace and hope are extended, without condemning. I’m pretty convinced that what I’m writing about here has played a significant role in why the Jenkins children even want to serve Jesus and are willing to go on a missions trip as one of the ways to do so.