Leaders of New Work Fellowship brought humility and a moment of quiet reflection during Thursday’s Hopkinsville Kiwanis convocation — delivering definition and meaning to the “National Day of Prayer.”
And while many subjects — unconfessed sin, revival, blessings and concerns — were pondered during the presentation, Student Pastor Michael Shearon brought with him two students, Kylie Batts and Ryan Riggs, who have firsthand experience with teenage struggles.
Batts noted many students “find it difficult” to find a good group of friends, ones who are supportive and bring others close in faith.
Riggs went into further detail, pouring out three detailed reasons why anxiety is common in this young generation.
Shearon shared his beliefs on the matter, adding this youthful class — and many of the ones before and after — have more access to “anything and everything” than any other generation that’s ever existed.
But inside this dichotomy, he said, comes the possibility of a complete disconnection from people and reality. It’s evidenced by the growing world of social media, digital bullying, keyboard warriors, confirmation bias and the capitalism of misinformation, and Shearon pointed to the fact that no previous generation has ever had to deal with the immediate judgment that comes from a cell phone.
He pulled one out of his pocket as he spoke.
And he also asked for student empathy.
Referencing multiple connections to the Bible, both the Old Testament and the New, Shearon’s overall message was simple.
In essence, Shearon said people of all ages should “walk away from the pressures of perfection.”
FULL MESSAGE:
In other Kiwanis news:
— Unable to attend last week’s celebration due to a robotics world championship in Dallas, Spencer Powell was awarded a $500 scholarship from the club. He plans to attend the University of Kentucky for a degree in mechanical engineering.
— Blake Chambers said the 2nd Annual Golf Scramble went “extremely well,” with its 32 teams up from the 11 groups involved last year.
— A reminder also came: The Salvation Army of Hopkinsville’s “Cinco De Mayo” Taco Dinner fundraiser begins at 5 PM Friday in the War Memorial Building. Tickets are $10 and can be bought ahead of time or at the door.
