“Thanks for helping me move into college, Dad. So, how long are you planning to stay?”
Just like that, 18 years of preparing my second son Connor for the world came to an end. Connor is attending Anderson University and is on their inaugural football team.
For those who have not experienced taking their child to college, it is hard to put into words the feelings that wash over you. For those who have, no words are necessary.
Your role shifts from coach to cheerleader. It is a hard shift for a parent. The coach instructs, teaches and disciplines, and even has the power to pull a player from the game when they make mistakes. However, a cheerleader is powerless to suspend their play, laments when they mess up, but encourages the player to keep going.
The leading cause of college students not going to the mission field is not resources or a passion to go. The leading cause for some college students not to go is parents — parents who attempt to protect them rather than fan the flame of the Holy Spirit working in their life.
Be the cheerleader for missional engagement for the next generation. Encourage them with your life and your resources to take a risk and be in the center of God’s will, even if it means putting them in danger. Then, hold the rope as they rappel into darkness to take the light of the world to those who have no hope.
South Carolina Baptists are a family of churches holding the rope for missionaries. Future missionaries are dependent on us to equip, train and coach them today. Current missionaries are dependent on us to harmoniously cooperate and not forget that they are on the other end of the rope. These missionaries are our children, our grandchildren and extended family. They need us to be focused on the mission.
As my wife and I drove off from college, it didn’t take long before Connor was having the time of his life. Launch your sons and daughters on mission. If we hold them too tight, we rob them of the adventure. Let them go and see what God will do through their life.