Paul Miller: Life-Change Happens Through Relationships

When I was in high school, I was discipled by the youth pastor at my EFCA church, Brent Thomas. What I remember most from those days is who Brent was, or more specifically, who Jesus was in Brent. I wanted to know Jesus the way Brent knew Jesus. And I also remember who Brent believed I could become. He saw things in me that I didn't see in myself, that my dad didn't see in me, and he believed those things into reality.

My experience as a high school student, under Brent's leadership, burned into me a conviction that life-change happens best in the context of relationships. Discipleship is primarily about relationships. At ReachStudents, we are going to emphasize relationships over programs. Our goal is to equip student pastors and leaders throughout the EFCA to be available for how Jesus wants to use them in the lives of students, one relationship at a time.

I am excited to attend my first Challenge this summer. I've seen some of the plans for the "sending huddles" at the end of the week, when student pastors have the opportunity to help their students take the experiences from their week in Kansas City and apply them back home. One ministry at a time, one relationship at a time. Jesus is creating a movement among EFCA students, and I'm ready to live into what He is doing.