PURITY COMMITMENT
Imagine everything you will have to do to prepare for your wedding. You will have to select your guests, prepare the reception, design the decorations, set the schedule…anyway, just as one thinks long and hard about the planning of the most important ceremony of their life, we put all that we have into the preparation of our purity commitment ceremony, the most significant service to all the youth that make this commitment.
It’s not every day that 50 young people make the commitment to guard their hearts, minds, and bodies in Christ and to their future spouse; it’s not every day that you see parents proud of their children, praying for them and blessing them for the decision that they have made; it’s not every day that 200 young people year after year renew their commitment with God.
All of this made for a very special and emotional service this past Saturday, February 20th. It was something different. First of all, everyone came in more formal attire to address the importance of the occasion. In addition, upon arrival everyone was able to enjoy delicious appetizers, take pictures with their family and friends, and simply have a good time before the beginning of the service.
As soon as the service had begun, with a more relaxed, acoustic time of worship, it was obvious that it was filled with the presence of God.
After worship, we received a powerful message from our pastor, Paul Lewis. He talked about the different meanings we can give the concept of love; a love that is only there to satisfy our desires, or the true love that always waits. This was the perfect message to begin the ring ceremony.
First, all of the youth that made their purity commitments for the first time went up to the front, accompanied by their families, small-group leaders or friends. Here they sealed their commitments with God upon receiving their rings and the prayers of everyone accompanying them.
After this, all of those who wished to renew their commitments went up to the front as well. For some, this is the second year of their purity commitment and for others it has been much longer. Others also received God’s restoration, a new opportunity, and everyone is convinced that they made the right decision.
Juventud por Cristo is very proud of all these brave young people that have decided to make this decision. If we feel this way, we can’t even imagine how the Heavenly Father must feel. It is our prayer that this movement will extend to all the youth who wish to break the pattern of divorce in our society and begin to see blessed marriages, united families, and a new generation that walks in the middle of God’s will.
Congratulations!
