The word “consolation” indicates something that relieves or encourages. As fellowlaborers with God, we are all able to bring others the consolation of Christ. This world is hungry for such consolation – the question is how do we give others the consolation of Christ? The fellowlaborers discovered how when we traveled to Camp Gilead, Florida in December for the Florida Young Adults Holiday. We saw dynamic young believers console our brothers and sisters by giving Christ’s comfort, love, compassion, and fellowship to each other.

 Believers from Texas to Missouri with diverse backgrounds gathered at Camp Gilead, excited to meet and serve each other. Though many of us had been to the Young Adults Advances held in Tipp City, Ohio, we decided we would make this young adults retreat different from others. That’s why we spent as much time in fellowship as we did hearing the Word. We understood that the Word is delivered just as well in a late night conversation outside under the stars as it is in front of a podium.

 Whether delivered outside or inside, the Word taught us the consolation of Christ. “Fellowship in the body” was the theme, and we took fellowship to a new level. Despite differences amongst us, we experienced the unity of the body that Paul talks about in Philippians 2. Each of the young adults, working with Reverend Tonia Shroyer and Jeff Shroyer, led the way in applying what we learned throughout the week about love, giving, courage, wisdom, and witnessing.

 Fellowshipping didn’t occur only at the campsite. Trekking through Islands of Adventure gave us a fun way to grow closer and declare what we learned to the world. Bonfires provided us a peaceful time to talk as well as a time to minister to each other.  Lives were changed and delivered because we had learned and shared the consolation of Christ.

By the end of the week, we had experienced the pure joy that comes from applying Philippians 2:1-2: “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort in love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” Let’s continue to share the consolation that can only come by walking with Christ!

“…Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” (Matt. 9:36-38). As fellow laborers this year, seven young adults are answering this call to action by Jesus Christ. We hail from different parts of the United States – Amanda LeBlanc and Victoria Johnson represent Florida, Mike Miller comes from Illinois, Francis Cardullo, Nathan Friedly, and Ron Shannon grew up in Ohio, and I’m from Maryland. We come from different backgrounds, different families, and different stages of our walks with God. But we all are eager and determined to work as laborers for the “harvest” of the world by becoming leaders and servants in the body of Christ.

Being a laborer with Christ is an exciting and humbling experience. In the three weeks since the Fellow Laborers program has begun, we have already grown in our walks of faith. When we first sought housing, God found houses for the four guys and three girls that are several doors away from each other in affordable, accommodating homes. As we searched for jobs, God provided work for each of us and inclusively taught us patience and peace. Our first ten-minute teachings last week were full of testimonies, principles, and lessons God has taught us since we’ve arrived.

God has not only ensured that all our needs are provided for, but He’s also given us the best support – each other! I still can’t believe how well each of us ‘clicked’ with each other since the first day of the program. Despite demanding work schedules, I see Romans 12:10-13 – “brotherly love” – come alive when we come together in our tri-weekly Fellow Laborers meetings, Tuesday night fellowships, and our Friday “Get to Know People” nights. We are confident that God has brought us together this year and at this point in our lives for His divine purpose, and we are thrilled to continue to discover what He has in store for us!

As fellowlaborers, we are working with God in Christ in us to be His “witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8, NIV). Jesus directed these words to all those who are willing to talk his talk and walk his walk. The fellowlaborers have had many opportunities to operate Acts 1:8 these past few weeks.

We witness Christ by fulfilling our fellowlaborer responsibilities. At the October Young Adult Advance, we served by maintaining the church building, helping with meals, driving the attendees, and much more. As we met the body’s material needs, God helped us see how we could serve spiritual needs as well. We ministered the power of God not for one hour or with one person, but for the entire weekend and with everyone! “Fellowship” took on a new meaning that weekend – we shared our hearts with each other. What we had to give varied with each person, but we all gave God’s Word to each other.

Others’ examples have also taught us how to witness Christ. When some of us went to the Weekend in the Word at Rockford, Illinois, we experienced Christ’s love and power as we fellowshipped with dynamic believers. Teachers and disciples from all over the world came to rejoice in God’s Word. Friendships were made, needs were met, and lives were changed – and all because believers acted on the promises of God. The Day in the Word at Tipp City, Ohio was another amazing opportunity to see the example of other leaders and grow in our knowledge of the Word. These events have given the fellowlaborers the chance to serve and individually discover our roles in the body of Christ.

Our radical expectations of God are increasing as December rolls around the corner. The December Young Adults Advance in Florida will be another opportunity to work the Word in our lives. For we now know that the works of the Church did not stop with Paul in Acts 28: because we hear and act upon the Word of God, we are living in Acts 29!