So this weekend I have been hanging in St. Louis with over 500 students from around the country for the UMSM College Student gathering known as “What’s NEXT.”  So far it has been a really interesting and inspiring weekend.

Why inspiring?  Well when you find yourself surrounded with over 500 college students that are asking themselves what God might have in store for their lives and for the life of God’s church it ends up being a time of energy and passion.

I am here because I was part of a group of 8 speakers selected to share with this group things that we are passionate about or things we hope will inspire another generation of leadership within God’s kingdom.  The speakers have been diverse and their topics were diverse which to me is inspiring in itself because it shows the ways that God has blessed many different people with many different gifts and passions.  It is a true example of how God’s Spirit works to build up the community of Christ.

The question running through my head as the weekend continues is this:  ”What actions and changes will the United Methodist Church experience from the inspiration these individuals received?”  What will be the impact for the kingdom as these individuals go forth empowered through God’s Spirit to do great things for Christ?