It’s a beautiful Tuesday afternoon at Ohio University as I write these words. I took the opportunity to enjoy the day by walking campus with one our graduating seniors just a few minutes ago. Additionally, it’s just a few days after one of my favorite weekends of the entire year. This past weekend was both Easter Weekend and the annual Ohio Teens for Christ Convention.
Ohio Teens, or OTFC for short, will always have a special place in my heart. It was at OTFC in the early 90’s that I nervously preached my first sermon, and began thinking that perhaps, this was a small part of a greater plan that God had for my life. Flash forward to the early 2000’s when I led a group of students to OTFC for the first time as a youth leader. Since that time I’ve l led dozens of groups to OTFC and even experienced watching some of my own students preach their first sermons there as well, and witnessed countless others begin their walk with Jesus as a result of this weekend.
With all that in mind, I’ve greatly appreciated the ways that ROC has partnered with OTFC the past several years. This year ROC brought a group of almost 20 to OTFC to help out in a variety a ways. From working the ROC table in the exhibit hall, to leading late night game options, to participating in a workshop aimed at helping students make the transition from high school to college, ROC students were hard at work.
For the second year in a row one of our ROC students, Lilly Suttle, shared her talents with the convention as our worship artist. Not only was she a blessing to the entire convention, but her art was auctioned at the end of the conference to raise an additional $700 for the mission this year. We have some amazingly talented students at ROC! How cool is it that they use these talents to bless others for the glory of God?
With the semester quickly approaching, we are trying to squeeze in all we can. Just a weekend before OTFC we took our student leaders to Columbus to participate in an Escape Room. I’m proud to say that our leaders did a phenomenal job working together and problem-solving, and escaped the room with 7 minutes to spare!
Speaking of things quickly wrapping up, finals week will be here before you know it. One of the things that ROC does during both fall and spring semester is provide food and treats for students during finals week. This year will be no exception. If you would like to consider baking or making donations of food to students, please feel free to contact us at reachohio@gmail.com.
As always, thanks for the investment of time, money, and prayer that you invest in our community and in the lives of students.
Blessings,
-Dodger