TRAVIS KINGMA NEXT GENERATION & CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP PASTOR

“I remember your name in the night, O Lord, and keep your law.” —Psalm 119:55

What kept you up at night this past year? No matter what mental noise tends to distract us, it is appropriate to pause and simply remember the name of the Lord and all the amazing things God has done. When I reflect on this past year at VPC, it is simply incredible to realize how God is raising up the next generation! They are learning to recognize the movement of the Holy Spirit, to be made into interpreters and evaluators for the world to witness. Specifically, we have seen new student leaders tell stories of God’s faithfulness and model what it means to genuinely seek out and love the lost, least, and lonely in their own families, schools, and neighborhoods.

Eugene Peterson defines the three most important pastoral acts as “praying, reading Scripture, and giving spiritual direction.” These three acts inspire me to pour into students, and I see how students pour into others with these practices as well. We mutually foster deeper discipleship and fidelity to Christ. Per the Psalmist’s words, the next generation reminds me to remember the name of the Lord and keep his law, even when my head hits the pillow, and my thoughts start spinning.

At VPC we strive to be like Christ, as a community and as individuals. We want to form a culture of goodness that promotes healing and welcomes the lost to belong as we glorify the name of Jesus together. Amidst the healing arc of our liturgical rhythms, creative music expressions, and profound moments of worship, we truly have tasted God’s goodness alongside one another. May the year ahead continue to be full of joy as we pray and work to be a Good News people for the sake of the world.