It’s been one of those, “nighttime sniffling, sneezing, coughing, aching, stuffy-head, fever, so you can rest” weeks.  As this flu virus has taken me down for the count this week, I’ve had a lot of time in “quarantine” to think and to pray.  Today marks then end of our fifth year of youth ministry here at Morningside.  We’ve seen God do some amazing things in the life of this church and youth ministry.  Lives have changed and many students have a deeper walk with Christ.  But what about the future?  What can we do to be more intentional and more effective at spreading the Good News of the Gospel among teenagers and college students in the years to come?

This flu season has spread like wild-fire across our city over the past few weeks.  What if the same could be said about our faith?  How awesome would that be? Typically, when you hear the word “virus,” you think of an illness or a computer disaster.  But in the marketing world, to say something’s viral means it’s uber great.  Wikipedia says that, “viral marketing is a buzzword for techniques that use pre-existing social-networks to produce increases in brand awareness…”  It goes on to say one of the primary ways of increasing brand awareness is through word-of-mouth.  Think of the impact that Christ could have if His Name and His Renown went “viral.”  Going viral sounds a lot like the Great Commission.   I know that Jesus isn’t some brand to be sold like an iPad.  Jesus Christ is The Brand. He’s the only One everyone on earth needs.  He is The Way, The Truth, and The Life (John 14:6).

Though I’ve suffered through the flu virus this week, when it comes to the Gospel, I never want it said that I was virally weak.  As we journey into our sixth year of ministry at Morningside, I desire to spend more time pouring into our adult volunteers who spread the great news of our Savior among our teenagers.   I hope you’ll join me in this journey.  Let’s be viral together.