John 14:12, Romans 12 and 2 Corinthians 5:17

Steve Gambill

What are you looking forward to this summer? A summer holiday? Seeing the latest blockbuster movie? An upcoming festival?

I believe that there is a quality built with the human nature that wants to experience greater heights and thrills.

Greater Things. There's a stellar thought, which leads to a huge question....Are greater things possible?

At the outset of 09 Jack Bauer was back in "24" and after a few episodes I asked myself how many more bad days can one guy have? Every summer Hollywood promises bigger and better action. The truth is movies like Terminator or Transformers make big promises about being bigger and better than before..... but in reality are just a marketing ploy and an easy way to get more people into the cinema.

21st Century culture uses the 'Greater Thing' hook to fuel much of the entertainment and pop culture to engage youth today.

Early in my journey in working as a youth pastor I used to resent living in good old Bradford, England, because there weren't enough places to take young people or things to do.

Having lived for a season at the Utopia of the Universe 'Disneyworld' at Orlando Florida, I had a free pass to any of Disney's theme parks. I loved it and enjoyed some of the best rides in the world.... so when I moved to Bradford.... I was depressed. For a long time I had the "grass is greener" syndrome.

I imagined that if only I was a youth pastor in Orlando....there I would have thousands in my youth ministry because of the million and one things to attract youth. I would be so appreciated because of the incredible places and doors I could open for young people.... or so I thought.

One day I met a youth pastor who lived near a Disney theme park and there were less young people in his ministry than mine and he was complaining because he couldn't get young people to come out to his youth ministry because there were so many "greater things" competing for the attention of young people.

Over time I gradually realized that there is an incredible promise that could make our work to young people amazing, but it wouldn't come cheap or easy.

Jesus said, "He who believes in me, will do even greater things than I do". John 14:12

Here's the bombshell. Greater things are not determined by where you live or by what the weather is like but by God himself. You are called to do "Greater Things!"

In the UK culture I don't often find people who believe that they could do something great with their lives. Too often young people are taught to downscale their dreams and desires. How about doing greater things than your teachers ever thought you would do?

How about achieving greater things than your parents ever did? How about getting out of debt? How about seeing your friends saved? How about playing a vital part in raising up an incredible youth ministry in your village or city?