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Performers gather with church members after the Youth Explosion service on Oct. 29.
Lisa Carrigg, a school resource officer, points above as she reminds youth that God is the number one teacher.
A young lady from Columbia performs a dance to “Jesus is Alive” during the youth service.
Lt. Eric Kirkland encouraged youth and parents at the service.
Teen Sarah Tadamatla entertained and inspired with a worship song.
Teen Andrew Still reads a devotional scripture.
Deacons pass out certificates during the Youth Explosion service at Brown Chapel Baptist.
Lt. Eric Kirkland of the Barnwell County Sheriff’s Department stood tall and excited before the crowd as he addressed Brown Chapel Baptist Church’s 11 a.m. Sunday morning service on October 29.
Making it a priority, Kirkland, as is his way, chose to honor God first, “The head of my life,” he said, welcoming the congregation, guests and performers to their first Youth Explosion. The event featured the talents of youth from the CSRA in celebration of God and His glory.
“We are striving to be more helpers and more doers of God’s will,” Kirkland explained. “We are under a new leadership now by Pastor Mickey Joyner, and one of the things we are trying to do is get out more and be more resourceful in the community. We know that starts with the youth. This program is totally diversified. It is a mixture of Caucasian, African-American, Latino and Indian. Because in the Bible it says that we are to lead ALL CHILDREN to Christ. It doesn’t specify color, it says, ALL CHILDREN. So, today is a collection of all children displaying their gifts and talents and we are going to help them expound on that by allowing them to be just what they are: our youth.”
Mistress of Ceremony, Haley Padgett, whose goal is becoming an FBI agent, wants to be a leader and help the youth along the way. She said, “I’m only 18 and have these big dreams about helping others who are in need of help and guidance. The youth program and church bring everyone together, especially the younger children. I love seeing them praise God and I love seeing how well they are getting along. It’s important because it can teach the younger generation about love, kindness, hope, faith and about going down the right path. Having the youth program gives guidance and great encouragement!”
Introducing her, Kirkland noted, “Haley lives by the scripture Deuteronomy 31:6: Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because the Lord your God goes with you. He will never leave you or forsake you.”
The congregation applauded with a united, “Amen.”
Following a devotional scripture from Psalms 71:17 by teenager Andrew Still and an inspirational reading by fellow youth Yasmine Dukes about how personally in love God is with each of us, the program featured an unexpected, last minute, write-in blessing.
A lovely worship dance praising the truth “Jesus is Alive” was performed by a young lady from Columbia. Like an anonymous angel she appeared when she happened to see the program and at the last minute requested to perform. Lt. Kirkland knew the Holy Spirit was at work, so without hesitation, he welcomed her. And what a lovely blessing she was.
Following that, demonstrating the message of courage reflected in her song choice, “He Won’t Fail”, Sarah Tadamatla took the mic, singing a praise song from her heart, with lyrics including, “I’m gonna make it through…Christ is my firm foundation, the rock on which I stand.”
Zeneri Dunbar was welcomed by the crowd next, sharing a special reading with various scriptures including Proverbs 3: 5-8. Her overall essence encouraged fellow youth to “Trust in The Lord”. Shouts of “Hallelujah” filled the room.
Dontasia Galloway stepped up afterwards and graced the youth’s presentations with her beautifully heartfelt, acapella rendition of the song, “Because of Who You Are.”
Closing the youth’s presentations was a very personal story about struggles, survival, songs of praise and salvation from young mother Lola Dunbar. Proudly claiming Christ as her strength, Dunbar shared by reading her poem, “Nobody Greater”. The audience rose with applause.
Lisa Carrigg, a school resource officer through the sheriff’s office, led everyone into the next portion of the program with her message to the youth and parents. As she approached, she smiled, so proud of these young people and said, “How the heck do I follow that up?!” But she did beautifully so, by grace, she shared her God-given personal testimony, filled with encouragement and inspiration for everyone in attendance, especially the youth.
“You hold all the cards in your own hands,” she said. “All the choices you make are going to have a direct consequence, whether it’s good or bad, and it’s up to you guys to figure out how you’re going to respond to all the different scenarios in your life. There’s no good future in bad choices like drugs, gangs, being disrespectful, being unkind.”
She encouraged the young people to “make a decision to be respectful and be kind.” She said God is the number one teacher as she raised her arm upwards. In unison, the crowd clapped and said, “Amen.”
After an offering, Carrigg, with her lovely voice and the crowd’s participation, sang “Jesus Loves Me”.
Following that, Rev. Willie Haile came up to the mic, joyfully continuing with another round of the song, “Jesus Loves Me”. Because he said, opening his message, “Jesus does love each and every one of us … in spite of all the mess we bring Him. Jesus still loves us.”
Pastor Haile’s message, geared to help the youth, was titled: “Each One, Teach One / Let’s Go Make a Difference” was inspired by Matthew 28. Its three main points were: 1) Ministry. What are you doing? 2) Mentoring. Mentor Others and 3) Multiply. Teach others so they can likewise pass The Good News onto others.
The two-hour morning service concluded with announcements, a word of praise, benediction and blessing of the food. Certificates of appreciation from Pastor Mickey Joyner that were given out by two deacons made for a special highlight recognizing youth members.
Pastor Joyner’s closing prayer included this plea: “Father God, we pray that You would bless us and that we’d be humble enough that we could shine before these young folks, that we would inspire them to stay on the straight and narrow path. To press forward to the high calling that is in Christ Jesus…and Father God the thing that I see this morning that I really want to thank You for is that we are not being biased or prejudiced, that we have children of God and through Your wisdom, You have blessed us… Multiply Your love in us so we can be doers of Your Word, so we can be mentors and multiply. ‘Each one, reach one’. In the mighty name of Jesus, hear our prayer.”
After the service Brenda Dukes, Sunday superintendent at Brown Chapel Baptist Church, said, “I love getting all the youth together in a church setting for them to use their gifts and talents for the glory of God. We, as Christians, are dedicated to bringing our youth into the church. This was our first program, and it was great. I’m looking forward to many more. Thanks to all the youth that participated. It is open to all youth.”
Barnwell City Councilman Ron Still said, “As a teacher, it was refreshing to see our youth perform and display their talents and love for God. Each one did an outstanding job. I was so filled with excitement and enjoyment from this program. SRO Carrigg was awesome with her message and singing. The preacher brought inspiring words of what is required by us as adults according to God’s word to help our youth. I always enjoy visiting Brown Chapel. I thank Lt. Kirkland for recognizing the youth in our community and putting together this program along with Pastor Mickey and all the deacons and the congregation at Brown Chapel. This church is working to make a difference in our community. I am thankful I was invited to be a part of this great event.”
Deacon DJ Washington, deputy coroner of Barnwell County, summed the program up by saying, “It was a historically, uniquely diverse event in the 162-year history of our church, and the first of its kind for our body of baptized believers. Pastor Joyner, a visionary in his own right, saw something divine that needed to be attended to. From this vision, he sought direction solely from the Lord Jesus Christ, and this program was revived and rededicated to the youth on fifth Sundays. Pastor Joyner, through the deacon ministry, immediately looked to Lieutenant Eric Kirkland, community relations officer for the Barnwell County Sheriff’s Department. Without further comment, I believe that God used Lt. Kirkland for His majestic glory and the rest is history. Going forth on every fifth Sunday the services will be the responsibility of all youth. Kirkland will be the driving force behind this movement, and it will be a divine blessing.”
Lt. Kirkland shared this community message as we move forward. “3 John: 1-4 states, ‘I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.’ As adults, it is our sole responsibility to lead children to Christ and that begins with providing them with a solid spiritual foundation.”
This Youth Explosion event will be the first of many to come.
“Youth are born full of love. If we continue to show them that love, attention and acceptance, then they will flourish. Each and every one of us has a gift that is given from God. Sadly, many go through life never using or discovering our gifts. We are charged with helping the youth discover their gifts and then allow them to use those gifts which is why they were given to them. The Youth Explosion will allow those youth that praise dance, sing, and read to praise God in that manner. It is also a unique way of making church attractive, which makes praising our Lord and Savior wholesome and rewarding. We must keep in mind that youth inspire other youth so maybe if we plant good seeds then our harvest will be fruitful,” he said of the church’s vision.
If you have any questions, interests, or wish to participate, contact Lt. Kirkland at evkirkland613@icloud.com or DJ Washington at diwhp@icloud.com.
