When I think of an Open Mic night, I usually picture amateur comedians or singers trying to get noticed to start their careers. However, in the ministry, open mic nights often serve as a precursor to the end of an event, conference or retreat. This time gives individuals a chance to share what’s on their heart or what God taught them. Touched by this concept on numerous occasions in high school and college, I adopted this practice once a month as a youth pastor in Indiana.
Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul, Psalm 66:16.
Several students gave moving testimonies in our chapel, a small prayer room in the church basement which held about 50 people comfortably. While a member of my student leadership team usually spoke, one month a shy girl volunteered. She was an outcast, unattractive and not very interesting when she talked. However, on this particular Sunday evening, she silenced her critics.
“Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him, Luke 8:39.
Opening up about trying to kill herself, brought most of the room to tears. However, a spirit of boldness entered this rejuvenated soul, thanking those who showed random acts of kindness along the way. For one shining moment, she was a star sent to give a heavenly message to stir the hearts of her teenage peers. I’m not sure what has happened to this child of God, losing touch with many of my former students, but I will never forget the night she silenced her critics.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 