Dear Brothers and Sisters... You might have questions about how you are grouped with your peers. For those of you who did not give me your preference of grouping, I have tried to mix you up based on what I know about you (which admittedly is not a lot) in hope that it will bring both variety and balance to your groups.

Some of you might have to mix more than others :) ...that is part of Christian fellowship and we can take pleasure in it. Let me explain... Using Jesus as our model of Christian fellowship, we see that Jesus did not stay away from anyone. Not even the people that no one liked. Instead he loved them. Christian fellowship, real Christian fellowship must exhibit the same love in our choices... real Christian fellowship is the gathering of unlikely friends.

We may have nothing in common, but we come together, seek and see the best in one another, and go beyond our natural selves to love because the love of Christ unites and compels us. This is the kind of love that keeps people together. No matter what happens.

Is God calling you to take up the challenge of real Christian fellowship? Pray about it... After all, this is the same challenge that you will one day ask of your youths.

Exodus 3:10-12 (New International Version)
10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt." 11 But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" 12 And God said, "I will be with you...

God has specifically chosen Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and Moses knew it. But like many new leaders, Moses' eyes were not focused on what God was saying but on his own difficulties and weaknesses. His asking of "Who am I?" suggests that he felt inadequate. Being neither a skilled warrior nor an accomplished leader, Moses was aware that he was not someone who would naturally command the respect of the Pharaoh or the elders of Israelites. This was actually needless worry. In verse 12, God explicitly tells Moses what He had already said in verse 10... "Moses, I will be with you!" Since God was behind his selection, He would also supply the authority and power for Moses to do what He had asked. However the respect Moses desired he would have to earn through his dedication and leadership.

As a new leader can you do the same?