That One

This post was written by TeenPact Student Body Representative Eli Fitzpatrick of Florida.

Dear TeenPact Nation,

I was elected May 26, 2018, alongside twelve loving friends with Jesus-filled hearts. I have the privilege to represent the TeenPact student body for the 2018-2019 year. During election night, I tried to focus my efforts on enjoying the commercials and the ridiculous amount of Tie Ads, while eagerly awaiting the results of the next representative to roll in. I’ll never forget the sigh of relief and feeling of excitement I experienced when I saw my name up on the screen, all while simultaneously being congratulated and shaken violently by Garland Kent. (Love you bro!) I am extremely grateful to the TeenPact students for supporting me through everything. I have already learned a lot of helpful things through this first part of my term as I’m sure all of the other elected officials have as well. I am very much so looking forward to all that is to come. Personally, I am extremely grateful to former President(s) Fitzpatrick and Representatives Fitzpatrick and Fitzpatrick for encouraging me to run, helping me purchase campaign material and just being there as big brothers for support! It is my prayer that the Lord will grow us in everything we do this year and ultimately that we will give Him the glory!

Recently my student pastor, father figure, and mentor Andrew Evans started a series at my church home simply called, “One.” The series is about that one person, that one person who doesn’t have any friends, that one person without hope, that one person who is trapped, and that one person who is lost. Take a moment; who is your one? Who is that one person your heart aches for? It could be your brother, your best friend, a homeless man, someone who sits alone during lunch… It could be anyone. With him or her in mind, let’s proceed.

In Mark 16, Gods says directly to His followers, “Go into the entire world and preach the gospel to all of creation.” Here is another verse that specifically commands Christians to pursue that one, one at a time. Yet, those who identify as Christians in America has been in decline. Why? I believe as Christians, we are failing if we aren’t pursuing that one. My father, when he encourages others to pursue that one, tells it like this, “If your mom made you a batch of fresh, soft, hot biscuits, would you eat them all yourself and not tell anyone? NO! You would eat a few but then run out and tell everyone what great biscuits your mom made.” While this is a little silly, it actually makes tons of sense. Jesus is like the biscuit in this story. And yet, He is far more refreshing and satisfying than even this silly analogy. He is a friend, He is the good shepherd, He is the caregiver, and He is the Savior of the world.

So if some don’t accept Him, don’t give up. One day, they will be so hungry for Jesus that they’ll come up to you and give you the chance to share Jesus with them. Be ready to share the hope that is within you and ask yourself, who is that one?

Representative Eli Fitzpatrick