Our friend Jeff often told us that young people today are desperately seeking authentic relationships, and they’re constantly watching for people who authentically love Christ. They can tell in an instant if someone is just going through the motions, or conversely they could tell right away if someone was shooting straight with them. They’ve seen enough people with two faces; they need to see Christians with integrity now more than ever.
For all of us who knew Jeff, even if not extremely well, we knew he was the real deal. He loved his Lord and he was fiercely dedicated to Christ. The youth he ministered to knew this as well. Kids have told us that when Jeff approached them to take them out to lunch, or just spend time with them, they thought it was going to be “super weird” going out with an adult (and a pastor at that). But when they went, they were completely comfortable with Jeff. It was his authentic nature and love that allowed kids to trust him.
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Now we’ve lost our friend Jeff to our Lord Jesus, and we are left to carry on in the race he ran to the end. And although we know that our God “works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purposes” our hearts still ache for his friends, the young people he loved and who loved him, and especially his family. The only consolation is in the hope that our Lord offers. It is also a small consolation to us that we can continue to watch Jeff’s love for Jesus and integrity continue to lead the many young people he reached out to for Christ sake.
Joel Ahlum and Nick Craig
High School Ministry
P. S. Please keep the high school students and the ministry team in your prayers as we navigate this difficult period.
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