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20-June-1998 
GA98130 
 
          General Assembly Ends with Hope in the Future: 
           Youth Help Lead with the Light of the Gospel 
 
                      by Allison Politinsky 
 
CHARLOTTE--Dancing angels, singing choirs, and commitments of faith by 
youth of varying racial/ethnic backgrounds graced the stage of Hall C where 
the final worship service of the 210th General Assembly was held Saturday, 
June 20. 
   The youth and symbols of hope offered by contemporary songs and 
liturgical dance lent an air of peace as the last day of business was 
before the Assembly.  Peter J. M. Henry, associate pastor, Myers Park 
Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, N.C. offered the sermon, "The Light Has Not 
Yet Gone Out."  Henry explained that even in an age when computers keep 
information moving at lightening speed, even in a world plagued by 
problems, the Gospel offers a light of hope for all humanity. 
   "The proclamation of the Gospel seems a bit audacious," in the 
information age of CD Roms and other items of high technology, he said. 
"But, young people in part, and everyone in general, can use these tools to 
learn about the history of the Church." 
   We also cannot hide from past mistakes the church has made.  The horror 
of the Crusades is easily accessible. Missionaries, in some cases, made the 
mistake of not understanding that God was in the cultures they were 
visiting before the missionaries arrived.  That is true from a global and 
denominational perspective. 
   "We often confuse the proclamation of the Gospel with the proclamation 
of the Presbyterian Church," Henry said.  "There is a profound difference, 
but I'm not always sure we're aware when we go from one to the other." 
   He listed several of the sorrows for which the world needs God's light: 
   Twelve Presbyterian churches with ordained clergy in Charlotte-- only 
one is a woman.  
   In the city of Omaha, Nebraska with a population of approximately 
350,000 there are 
   documented gang members totaling 2500.  
   Crack cocaine is on the rise in middle class youth around the country.  
   Some who believe in God can turn to other spiritual avenues such as 
supernatural religions. 
   Philadelphia has high schools with security detectors to protect 
children. 
   Women and children are the fastest growing population of homeless with 
an average age of 
   12.  
   "Are our youth facing darkness in this lifetime?"  Henry asked.  "Do 
they need the proclamation of the Gospel? Absolutely." 
   Referring to Martin Luther King's sermon "A Knock at Midnight," Henry 
related the theme to the needs of our youth today.  "When our youth are 
knocking in their midnight we must fling wide the portals and call all the 
children of God into our midst." 
   Even in the darkness of our contemporary society, Henry affirmed, there 
is much evidence of hope. 
   "Some youth are reaching out and accepting Christ," he said.  "Twelve 
thousand youth participated in Montreat and the Youth Triennium last year. 
They gather to worship, to proclaim and to learn about the risen Christ." 
   Further evidence includes: 
   The new Montreat West Retreat Center in Colorado  
   The Presbyterian Youth Connection 
   Mission trips range from Portland, Oregon, to Portland, Maine 
   "There are so many youth like this who want to serve," Henry concluded. 
"The light is going to them all around our country.  Let's finish the race 
set before us.  Let's challenge ourselves and ask questions about what we 
do and how we do it....There is a crack in door of the church, the flood of 
light illuminates the landscape." 
   There are ways the church is proclaiming the Gospel beyond youth, Henry 
said: 
   The new communion with other denominations is the great first step of 
cutting across 
   denominational lines. 
   There is an increase of $1.6 million to our mission budget.  
   More than 400 Presbyterians gathered for a national redevelopment 
conference who 
   challenged our church to find new ways to harness the power of the 
church. 
   "The light has not gone out in the darkness of the world," Henry 
concluded.  "Although we are involved in a marathon, not a sprint, the 
light has not yet gone out.  If that is the case, let us take it out to the 
world that is not in darkness....Let us be prepared to proclaim the Church 
and Gospel of Christ.  It is a Gospel of peace, forgiveness, mercy, and 
good news.  Let us preach it so it will be a lamp to the Children of God. 
That is our commission from Christ in one of the Great Ends of the church 
in which we worship." 
   An inspiring prayer led by James Wilson, a recent graduate of Princeton 
Theological Seminary, emphasized these thoughts in a closing message: 
   "Eternal Lord and King, we offer our prayers and supplications for 
humanity. Ethnic hatred appears in our midst. We pray your light will cut 
through the evil hatred of humanity.  Allow the leaders of our countries to 
stand for justice and righteousness.  We must build one another up instead 
of turning one another down....The economy may be booming and stocks may be 
rising, but still there are those in our midst who go without....Replace 
homelessness with helplessness, loneliness with faithfulness, rid our 
society of ills that plague this land....Light of Christ within us. Replace 
exclusiveness with inclusiveness and boldness with humbleness.  Oh God our 
Eternal Lord and King allow us to witness to each other your wisdom, grace 
and mercy." 

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