JESUS IS STILL THE ATTRACTION
By: Joshua Gilmore
Youth pastor @ First Baptist Church of Winthrop Harbor

In 1912 the evangelist, George Bennard, wrote the enormously popular hymn,
The Old Rugged Cross. The hymn is often sung in memory of Christ’s suffering and
the expectancy of Christ’s church to escape current suffering in glory. While this message is greatly appreciated and extremely necessary in light of today’s challenges, this song shares still another timely truth. The beginning of verse two reads: “O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world, Has a wondrous attraction for me.” As a youth pastor, I began to consider the words “a wondrous attraction for me,” and asked myself the question: Is Christ still being presented as the central attraction to the world? Have materialism, commercialism, and entertainment become the attritional mechanisms in today’s church? Can the average church in the United Stages, honestly say that Christ is the central force behind there church growth and vitality? These are just some of the many questions I began to ask as I began to evaluate my current ministry and the ministry of neighboring churches. While I don’t seek to condemn, or pass judgment, upon the wonderful ministries throughout the Zion, IL, area, I do hope to encourage and challenge the Christian Church to consider the “wondrous attraction” Christ is, and to present Him as the key truth to be championed throughout the world – no strings attached.

On Jan 4, 10, such an approach was taken. Ten to twelve youth groups throughout the Zion, IL and Kenosha, WI, region joined together for an interdenominational youth led event, called “the Gathering.” The Gathering exists for the singular purpose of worship. As a youth pastor I was amazed by the lack of flashy literature used to promote this event. I was equally amazed, when I was invited, by a missionary friend to this event. He chose not to do the typical sales pitch promising a “dynamic speaker,” free food, and of course an “amazing band.” In his presentation, he just said that: “God is good, and he is doing some awesome stuff among our young people.” He basically was saying to me: “Jesus is the attraction,” and that’s it. Wow, what a different ministry approach. The Gathering has been going on for a couple of years, and more neighboring churches are beginning to participate. More youth are being reached and impacted by the gospel. More youth are beginning to grow in their Church leadership skills. More youth are changing the way they view their community and their role within it. However, the secret of the gatherings success doesn’t seem to be in its high quality advertising, or high quantity participation philosophy, but rather in its humility and cooperation. The Gathering isn’t glamorous, but it’s destined to impact you, especially in a world where many have forgotten that Jesus truly is the main attraction.