At Thrive, we work with a large range of students and families. One type is “the-kid-who-grew-up-in-church”. Being a kid who grew up mostly in the church myself, I found it was harder for me to really take on my faith as my own and live it out. When you’ve known something your whole life, it’s easy to just fall into the motions. Our goal at Thrive is to challenge students out of that mindset; to live out their faith as their own, and to serve God and each other. For the last two years, we have implemented something at Thrive called our “Bringers”. These students, who are in any grade, are our students who want to go beyond the motions. Who not only want to come to Thrive, but want to own Thrive as their own ministry to lead their friends to Christ. Within the last two years, we have seen countless Thrive students invite non-believing friends, lead games, dress up as characters, lead worship etc… but none as much as our senior classes.
This year, I have been particularly impressed with our seniors. A lot of them have grown up in the church and, until now, have coasted along; coming to Thrive, but not really feeling the urgency of the Gospel. This year though, God is moving. I can see their growth, and our underclassmen notice it too. At our fall retreat, Ignite, one student has really stuck out to me. Ashley has gone to Salem First her whole life, and has been a part of Thrive for almost 4 years. Over the summer, she connected with some freshman girls, to get to know them and make them feel truly welcome at Thrive. This year she has been constantly welcoming students at Thrive, getting to know their names and where they go to school so they feel at home. She really has a heart for the underclassman girls, wanting to be a good role model for them. Last week on our retreat, she pulled aside some students, mostly freshman girls, to get to know them on a deeper level and to specifically pray for them. Usually, the leaders are the ones having 1 on 1’s with students, but Ashley devoted her whole free time to meeting with students! She’s been in church her whole life, and she is getting it. She blesses me and I see Christ moving through her so evidently. It’s so exciting to see students live out their faith! She has been a part of this ministry, but now she has made this ministry her own.
-Jessica Ivanitsky
