Finding Family: A Church Community on Mission Together

By Madelyn Wagner

When I was invited to the Next Gen 10:2 Gathering in Columbus, Georgia, this June, I had no idea what to expect. I was informed of the opportunity less than two weeks before the departure date, which was not conducive to my Type A personality. I wracked my brain for reasons I was unavailable but came up with none. It became clear to me that God wanted me to go, so I did. This trip was a total leap of faith for me.

All I knew going into the experience was that it was a conference with Free Methodist young adult leaders from around the U.S. and all three Free Methodist bishops. I also knew that it was based on Luke 10:2, which reads: “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (ESV).

Once I realized that this was a time of fellowship with young adults and of growing as disciples of the Lord, I admit, I panicked. I was not raised in the Free Methodist Church, and I joined my current church only a year prior to graduating high school and moving out of state. I still consider myself a new Christian with a lot to learn. I struggle to pray out loud and even talk about my faith for fear of making a mistake or turning someone away from God. I also didn’t have relationships with many Free Methodists at all, especially not with people my age.

I am not a person who tends to fit in with people my age, or even who wants to. As someone who has navigated a lot of questions about identity and faith in general, church can be complicated and intimidating at times. I knew this trip wouldn’t be easy, but there was still a strong calling for me to go.

Shared Values and Struggles

From the minute I arrived at the airport, I began to meet some incredible people from the gathering who were in the same stage of life as I am and who shared the same values I do. I also got to know one of my pastors and the superintendent of our conference. It quickly became clear that this fellowship and networking was one of the major reasons I was on this trip.

“As someone who has navigated a lot of questions about identity and faith in general, church can be complicated and intimidating at times.”

I continued to meet people who weren’t afraid to be themselves — who could be unhinged and unbothered one minute and honest and vulnerable the next, who shared my very versatile music taste, and who were all just trying to be better Christians.

I have struggled with anxiety for years, and I also live with an eating disorder. Both were especially difficult during the gathering, and there were moments when I felt overwhelmed.

Instead of feeling like I had to hide my struggles, I found people who met me with compassion. They prayed with me, encouraged me, checked in on me, and reminded me that I didn’t have to carry everything by myself. They reminded me that faith is deciding that fear doesn’t get to decide. It was life-changing to realize that those people exist, and I was truly able to have faith in the future of the church, of our generation, and of the world.

From the bishops to Pastor Ta’Tyana Leonard to all the testimonies that were shared, the Lord spoke to everyone during this conference. The speakers challenged us, encouraged us, and took care of us. We did a Post-it Note exercise based on the goal of trusting God with what we think we can’t do that involved surrendering whatever was keeping us from saying “yes” to discipleship. We walked through a spheres of influence map together and curated 3-month plans. We formed accountability and mentorship small groups that will meet for at least the next year. We worshipped together and prayed together.

We were empowered to take the power of the Holy Spirit — who was present in that space and who is alive within us — out into our communities and the world.

Not only did the conference prepare us to be confident disciples, it spoke to our individual needs and strengthened our individual relationships with God. We were shown that our ministry is never as important as our individual walk with God, and I realized that I had some work to do in that department first.

I realized this weekend that I had been carrying a lot of guilt and hurt from my past that I had let define me and that I have a lot of forgiving to do. I needed to forgive both others and myself. I was reminded not to tell God who I am and that God was never the one who told me I was inadequate.

Pastor Ta’Tyana presented us with a list of things God did say about our identity that have been very helpful for me. Through the messages, God allowed me to see that, and the community I found around me didn’t hesitate to shower me with prayer and encouragement.

Not Just a Denomination

I want to thank Bishops Keith Cowart, Kaye Kolde, and Fraser Venter for this opportunity and for taking the time to come connect with us and encourage us. Thank you to Christ Community Church, interns, and meal staff for providing that welcoming space and environment. Thank you to the whole church for supporting, empowering, and believing in our generation as we not only rise to relevance but make meaningful impacts today. As one of the speakers said, “The gospel came to you on its way to someone else.”

I’m not sure I can adequately describe how it felt to walk into a space of different backgrounds, different ideas, and different struggles but only noticing the shared love of God and the desire to be disciples. I quickly realized that I am not just part of a denomination but a family, community, mission, and home.

“Thank you to the whole church for supporting, empowering, and believing in our generation as we not only rise to relevance but make meaningful impacts today.”

The Free Methodist Church is a place where we can come carrying anything and where those burdens will be shared. It is a place for hope and prayer and honest conversations. It is a place for growth and support during the good times and the bad times. It is a place we can go without having to pretend anything. It is a place full of people of all ages and backgrounds to learn from and disciple.

I am eternally grateful that I got to be a part of this incredible opportunity!
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Madelyn Wagner is 18 years old and a University of South Carolina – Beaufort student currently studying psychology and gerontology. She is working toward her future B.A. and M.S.W. so she can work as a social worker in hospice. Madelyn is a member of the Genesis Conference of the Free Methodist Church and was born and raised in Rochester, New York. Madelyn left the Roman Catholic Church when she was 16 and was rebaptized at Edgewood Church in Pittsford, New York, when she was 17. She remains active in worship teams and leads Bible study groups both at home and at school. She invites readers to reach out with any comments or questions at Wagsjr1109@gmail.com.