Reflection on my TC Beyond 2020 Experience

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for calling me to serve at Teens Conference this year, and for giving me the faith and courage to respond to your calling. I admit that, in previous years, when a younger sister in Christ had asked me to consider serving as a coach, every year I chose not to serve for self-centred reasons. For one, I didn’t want to use my vacation time, because I wanted to guard those days for rest and relaxation. I also didn’t think that I would be a good fit to serve at TC, because in my mind, I didn’t have any experience working with youth. I probably didn’t pray very much about it each time before I said “No” to that sister, and I wasn’t very open and patient about seeking your will rather than my own.

But last Summer, you changed my heart. I prayed to you this time, truly prayed, and asked you to show me what YOU wanted, and for faith to be obedient to your answer. You clearly answered me and told me to go. Thank you for changing my heart and helping me to be obedient to your call to serve this year. I was actually excited when I submitted my request for time off, and I was eager to get it approved. You also helped me to place my trust in you and your ability to use me. It was sinful for me to think before that my weaknesses were somehow greater than your power and ability. Thank you for helping me to see that your Word is always true, as you have said “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”. God, you are indeed powerful and I’m thankful that you use the weak, like me, to carry out your perfect will and plans.

When I think back to the whole TC journey, beginning in January when I had my meet and greet, met the mentor coaches, coaches and captains, I feel very thankful, joyful, and encouraged for all you graciously gave me; the meaningful conversations with new brothers and sisters in Christ, the opportunities to break bread and fellowship with the coaches after each work session, all the moments of laughter in real life and on Discord, affirmations for a future in counselling, and the privilege of seeing how “all things work together for good” for those who love you. I also want to commend my fellow coaches with whom I interacted the most. I saw their hearts and passion for serving the youth, their genuineness of character and faith, love for God and love for one another. I also saw these brothers and sisters persevere through unexpected changes, having to make personal, logistical and emotional adjustments, while still trusting in you to carry out your plans through TC, and still finding the time to intentionally love and deepen their existing friendships and develop new ones with newbies like me.

But what stood out to me most of all, is how amazed I am by you God, and how you helped all of us to persevere through all the unexpected changes, especially in the days that led up to TC when we realized we had to go digital, and during TC week. I truly believe it was only by your sovereign grace that all the TC leaders could pull off, in such a short time, transitioning TC to TC – Beyond! Also, I know that all the leaders did their very best to help and support us coaches to get on board with the changes and adapt as much as possible. I honestly don’t think they could have done anything humanly better, given the circumstances and limited time they had to make all this happen. Everything that happened, was exactly how you planned it to be. It was nothing short of spectacular and miraculous to witness, and God you deserve all the praise, honour and glory for all the successes that resulted from TC – Beyond! Thank you God, and AFC, for what I know will be an unforgettable experience and testimony of God’s sovereignty, goodness and grace.