It was late evening by the seashore of Galilee. The setting sun was gleaming feebly in the midst of darkness. Having been preaching and teaching for a whole day, Jesus and his disciples were physically exhausted. They needed food and water badly, but most important of all, rest! Jesus said, "Let's go over to the other side." Following their teacher's instruction, Simon Peter and his brother Andrew, together with James and John launched the boat out into the deep. Suddenly a furious squall came up, heavy rain kept pouring down, the waves raged on and on, waters began to beat into the boat, and it was about to swamp! Being scared and annoyed by Jesus' apathy, the disciples cried out to Him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"
Isn't it a tragic thing to see what the disciples had experienced are still echoed by many young people today. Wherever you go teens are saying, "Who cares?" This is not a superficial question. What lies underneath is a deep sense of hurt and disappointment! More families have gone through separation and divorce than it was decades ago. Students nowadays are paying more for less in terms of education. Though it is easier to get into university, however, no one will sure about the job market by the time of graduation. Those who are lucky enough to escape from a broken home are no better off. Many of them are simply ignored by their parents. They have luxury homes, expansive cars and plenty of money, but are deprived of love. All these account for their unspeakable hurt and frustration. In all perplexities, teens are looking for someone whom they can trust and rely on, that's why they ask: "Who cares?"
The Bible says God cares and so does Jesus! This is precisely the message the second half of the story offers. In the midst of the tempest Jesus stood up and said, "Quiet! Be still!" By means of His words and actions, Jesus assured us that He cares and He is concerned. Because Jesus cares, He came! Because He loves, He died! Because He is in control, He resurrected! This is the kind of message we want to offer in Teens Conference '97, which is to be held at Monarch Park Collegiate on March 11 (Tue) and 12 (Wed), 1997. Our English and Cantonese speakers are Rev. Alfred Lam and Rev. Jim Tam. There are number of ways for you to get involve! If you are teenagers, be a team captain or volunteer; if you are adult, we need you help out as kitchen helpers, counsellors or in areas of general management, please give us a call if you are available! Jesus cares and we do! Do you care as well? Come, let's once again impact our teens with Jesus' love!
(Peter Lau is the high school ministry staff in AFC)
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