The Puyallup Church youth leadership was one of many groups represented at the Piece of the Pie youth seminar held in Bothell in January. Steve Case, Piece of the Pie Ministries president, led the youth leaders through a series of topics and activities that focused on young people and how to draw them to Christ. A few of the topics were: Breaking Out of the Comfort Zone, Relational Ministry, and Programs and Resources.
Returning home, the Puyallup youth leadership team then helped their youth group break out of their comfort zone by participating in a 24-hour famine for Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA). Sarah Howell, one of the participants, said, “The 24-hour famine was a totally different experience than what I have ever had. I have never felt this way before. But I knew that God was giving me the strength to hold on. If Jesus could fast for 40 days, then I could fast for 24 hours.”
The group started their fast after the Friday youth vesper meeting at the church. Sabbath afternoon, the youth went out into the neighborhood soliciting funds, raising $720 that will be used for the children in Peru next Christmas. This was followed by going to the Tacoma Family Shelter where the students served a meal to, and mingled with, the homeless.
The famine experience gave youth the chance to ponder starvation more deeply. They all agreed that the 24-hour ADRA Famine has helped them experience first hand, if only temporarily, what others deal with daily. It helped develop their compassion for others, and their realization of just how incredibly blessed they are. •
