Zachary Gilmore Preaching

      Jesus told his disciples that they were his witnesses. This is an important part of this passage I believe because these people actually saw what Jesus did in terms of healing, preaching, teaching, and giving people care. A witness is one who has personal knowledge of something or one who gives evidence. Sometimes there are things we don’t want to give evidence of—like the time when my sister was four and she cut her own hair and hid it under the sofa. But, Jesus tells us to be his witnesses. Since we are Christians, I think we are called to show others how Jesus lived and loved people. There are different ways of being witnesses; one way that we can do this is to visit those individuals who are sick, those who are lonely, and those people who are in need. Another way to be a witness is to teach others scripture lessons. When people are witnesses, they can serve people from anywhere around the world. Everyone can be included as people witness to them. When we act like Jesus did, we are following what he did thousands of years ago and finding ways to connect with one another and God.

      All my life, I have been taught by the witness of others. Pastors, youth group leaders, my parents, and Sunday school teachers are some people that have taught me about God’s love. As a young boy, I learned in my former church about praying for others. I remember praying for one young woman who was ill. When she died, I asked my mother what to do. She told me to pray for the mother and father of this woman.

      When I was in middle school, middle school advisors were witnesses to me. I have worked as a middle school advisor the last two years in order to try to be a witness to middle school students. I am in the position that some advisors were in when I was a student in middle school youth group. If I am able to serve as a witness to middle school students, they might become interested in being a middle school youth group advisor when they are older. Older advisors, like Seminary students, are witnesses to the middle schoolers as well as to me.

      Sunday school teachers have been witnesses to me throughout my life. I think of people like Buri, a seminary student from Africa, and Scott Harmon, and I believe I will always remember things I learned from them.

      By studying the Bible we can learn more about Jesus. In youth group, we are witnesses to each other as we work together to figure out what scripture passages mean and are saying to us. As we study scripture we know more about whom God and Jesus are. As a Christian, I feel that it is important for people to teach young children stories of the Bible. When children of today grow older, they can be the ones that teach members of the next generation. I think this is a wonderful process for Christians to be able to pass the word of the Lord on to people of different generations.

      I have been on three mission trips with other youth to Tennessee and Mississippi. I attempted to show God’s love for others on these trips by helping the people there. At a homeless shelter in Tennessee, members of our group read verses of scripture at a worship service. We also helped people by working on fixing up their homes damaged by hurricanes. I assisted a family as they were building their own new house, painted, and scrubbed floors. On mission trips, the residents have been appreciative of assistance from our groups. One day, a family purchased lunch for everyone at our work site. These people are grateful that people from other parts of the country take time to come assist them. Through their gratitude, these people have been witnesses to me.

      Because of people in this church, I have also been to the Crisis Ministry in Trenton and helped customers go through the store to get their food. I have gone to a Habitat for Humanity house in Trenton and spackled on walls there. Even though my mom thought I got more spackle on my clothing, some spackle actually was placed on walls. These are some ways that I have attempted to become a witness.

      I feel called to serve others in terms of giving them care and being present when it is helpful. I am grateful for those who witnessed to me and hope to be just as good a witness to others. So, what is God calling you to do? How can you be a witness?

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