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Never doubt your work will make a difference
Across the West country tomorrow hundreds of people (possibly thousands) will do what they always do on Sundays. The groups of children and young people they lead call themselves by different names but to all intents and purposes they are Sunday school teachers. Their work may be, in turns, frustrating, challenging, exhausting and occasionally rewarding. Possibly some on Saturday nights think of all they have prepared and wonder whether what they do is worthwhile.
Over one hundred years ago there was a Sunday School teacher in America. His name was Kimball. Through his church work he was able to lead a young clerk to Christ. That young man was Dwight Moody and his work as an evangelist saw thousands converted.
Moody had a huge influence on a young preacher called Frederick B Meyer.. L Wilbur Chapman heard him and became a Christian. Chapman worked with the YMCA. He arranged for Billy Sunday--another famous American evangelist to come to Charlotte, North Carolina. Christians in the town organised a similar event. This time the preacher was a man called Mordecai Hamm. At one of his meetings a teenager came and gave his life to Christ. He was Billy Graham.
Graham, of course, is one of the most well-known names around the world to church and non-church goers alike. He has, it is believed, spoken to more people throughout his crusades than anyone else in the history of the world. His impact on this country through his work at Earls Court over 50 years ago saw thousands of people converted. Although elderly now and in poor health, his work continues through the organisation he founded.
All this is a long way from the work of Sunday School teacher Kimball. He didn't know what a difference his commitment would make. Nonetheless he did his work faithfully and to the glory of God.
You may be involved in Sunday School work tomorrow. You may help with a youth group or have some input into shaping the lives of young people. The work may tire and challenge you and at times you may wonder why you do it. Well be encouraged. You may never know the impact that you have, but that you will make a difference is certain.
Malc' Halliday is a Pastor of Chaddlewood Community Baptist Church,
Plympton pastor@chaddlewood.org.uk
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