The Urgency of Now: Sharing the Gospel with Today’s Youth at the 2025 Conventions – by Jeff Goss

Next to being born again, the most important thing for a person is to discover God’s will for their life and then act upon it. Matthew 18:14 clearly reveals God’s will, stating, “Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.” This is why we dedicate ourselves to traveling coast to coast, ministering to young FFA students at state conventions and farm shows.

Because we are making a significant impact on the kingdom of darkness by reaching young people for Christ, we have faced opposition. At one state convention, for example, we were told we could not share the Gospel or pray for the kids. This is disheartening, especially when we hear about tragedies like the high school track athlete in Texas who recently stabbed and killed another athlete or the thousands of young people who are overdosing on drugs or committing suicide. Yet, some say there is no need for the Gospel. Jesus firmly declared in Matthew 19:14 (AMP), “Leave the children alone, and do not forbid them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

When we minister to the thousands of young people who visit our booth, we believe we are helping to save them from destructive paths like crime, immorality, and suicide. Many kids express to us that our booth is the most impactful at these events, noting that they rarely hear the Gospel preached elsewhere. Beyond sharing the Gospel, we are showing these students the love of Christ, which they may not experience anywhere else. God has entrusted us with the great responsibility of representing His love and compassion to these young people, a responsibility that could determine whether they lead lives of goodness or fall into evil.

Consider figures like Adolf Hitler, the infamous dictator of WWII responsible for millions of deaths. Few people know that as a boy, Hitler served as an altar boy, but his father made fun of him, leading him astray. Similarly, Jesse James, the notorious outlaw, reportedly felt a call from God as a young person. However, mistreatment by soldiers during the Civil War pushed him toward a life of crime. These examples underscore the critical importance of reaching young people with love and encouragement during their formative years.

This is why we take our mission so seriously. Jesus emphasized the gravity of this work in Luke 17:2, stating, “It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.” Your prayers and support are making an eternal difference in the lives of thousands of young people. Thank you.