When miracles happen, they have the ability to imbed in your heart in a way that transforms. I can still remember the time when I was 14 years old and our family was preparing for Christmas. My father had lost his job and my mother was preparing us for a Christmas with no gifts. Well, God had different plans and we woke up to a living room filled with gifts. My parents were overwhelmed and all 6 children were so excited to see gifts with our names on them. Nurses from the hospital where my mother worked and friends of my parents from out of town surprised us by going out and purchasing gifts for all of the kids. What we received that day was much more than gifts, we witnessed a miracle.

The sight of a living room filled with presents made such an impact on me that I knew I wanted to spend my life giving in such an unconditional manner. Now, 23 years later, it is that miracle that has transformed my life into a 15 year career as a youth minister.

I share this story because back in October of last year, we decided on a goal of raising $250,000 for Life Teen so that we could reach more teenagers. I had already began to list the reasons why that was not going to happen. I laid down a cover of doubt in everyone’s mind that the goal would not be reached. “I know teenagers who carry around no more than $10 (borrowed from their parents) at a time.” “How can I reach this goal?” I asked. “You can’t, but WE can”, God replied. Then together with those on staff we began to pray and invite people to join the movement of Life Teen.

Then, God took over and answered the prayers with another miracle, you all gave $305,000. Our entire Life Teen staff stood overwhelmed and excited, but more importantly, transformed. You cannot stand face-to-face with a miracle and not be transformed and convicted to do more. So to all of the teenagers, core members, youth ministers, priests, and adults that gave generously to reach more teenagers, we say THANK YOU and BUCKLE UP cause you just fired up an already passionate, convicted, and motivated staff be shot out of a cannon to reach more teenagers all over the world for Christ.