Landon is a senior in high school but is taking all his classes via dual enrollment at our local community college. There's a club there called PANTS which stands for Pantheists, Atheists, Nontheist Society (or something like that - you get the picture). Every year they put on this event called Faith-A-Palooza. Our church meets at the college, so they've been invited to have a booth for the past 5 years. Usually, we're the only ones (according to the administrative pastor), but this year there were 4 churches (the chairman of the club told Landon that they'd asked 46 churches and only 4 accepted!). Anyway, Scott (the administrative pastor who's also in charge of the youth and children - we're a small church) asked Landon if he'd be at school that day and help him man the booth. Landon said sure. Well, I just have to share this message I just got from Scott:
Hey,
I wanted to brag on your son really quickly. He met us at the Faith-A-Palooza table, and it's definitely not an easy crowd. Most of the people who come by the table are skeptics. I was interviewed by a student who was apparently trying to trip me up on some sort of church/state/gay marriage issue of some sort. Landon and I were the main talkers at our table, as the three international students were more of the setup/cleanup kids (but were awesome nonetheless!)
The cool moment came when a reporter for the Patriot Press came and asked Landon what his table was all about. Linda, I tell you what, this 17-year-old kid made a full-fledged defense of the gospel of Jesus to a newpaper reporter. Landon talked about the supremacy of Christ, the bodily resurrection of Jesus, being His hands and feet in our world, and on and on. I think the reporter was a bit shell-shocked. It was incredible. The reporter got Landon's name, age, and major, so it's possible Landon's quote may even make the newspaper. I told him how incredible of a job he did, but I think his mom and dad should know as well.
It was just awesome to see a young person stand up and unashamedly state Truth to a journalist - and to do it in such an articulate manner as well. I know you and Greg are proud of Landon's academic accomplishments - you should be even prouder of the young man of God you have raised. If he ever needs any type of reference for anything, please let me know!
See you on Sunday!
Grace and peace,
SEC
Totally blew me away! What do you say to that? I answered back, "I'm speechless. Thanks for sharing that with us." As a Christian parent, especially a homeschool mom, the most important thing to me is to raise a young man or woman of character. And it blessed me to hear this from someone. Thank you, Jesus!
9 comments:
Even more exciting than As on the transcript
Congrats on raising some a godly young man. This is my hope for my own three boys. This brought tears to my eyes reading it. I can only imagine how it impacted you. :-)
::goosebumps::
Could anything better come from hsing?! What a great post, Linda!
Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word. Acts 4:29
I wish I had known he was there...I would have stopped by ;).....the "director" of PANTS is in my department (a wonderful man by the way)and I am always tripping over members (students) waiting to "hang out" with him in our offices.However I never really knew what PANTS stood for...I'm Social Sciences not Humanities ;). It is sad to hear that not many local churches participate, however, I must comment that many of my classes have a writing requirement and my assignments always include personal opinion papers. In these papers, at least 80% of the students in the class always write at some point how God is the focus point of their lives. I am always amazed at this...I don't know why....maybe it's the piercings and tattoos that throw me...or the mickey mouse slippers they wear to class. Anyway...just had to say that. Landon is a fine young man and I can't wait to see the next issue of The Patriot Press!!!! Well done Linda and Greg.
Kristine, it's so amazing that you quoted that verse! We have been watching online a series Andy Stanley did in January/February called Big Church and that verse was the centerpiece of the last sermon we heard before this event. I prayed it over Landon when I drove him to school, and the other kids and I prayed it at the time the event started! Danielle, I thought about asking if you'd been there, but I'm never sure whether you're there more in the day or at night! :)
I love it, Linda!
What a wonderful statement of your God centered lives, when others can see Jesus through your children! May God continue to bless your precious family.
What an awesome post. What a great testimony!
AMEN!
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