Grow Mature Lead with Jahlil Jefferson - Young Men and Biblical Hospitality

What does hospitality have to do with a young single man?

Not much, if you think of it as pretty coffee dates and tv-inspired living rooms. But if you think of biblical hospitality, passionately pursuing relationships to invite others into fellowship with Christ, living the inviting life to point others to God’s glory, then young men and biblical hospitality go hand-in-hand. I believe young men and biblical hospitality is a topic the church should be discussing… young adults need to see their role in the church and in their everyday lives as valuable to the Kingdom and as worshipful to God.

Today I’m so excited to share with you my first interview with a brother in Christ! We got to be friends when Jahlil joined Jahlil is a follower of Christ, and a former student-athlete at University of Virginia at Wise, where he served as a diversity, equity, and inclusion intern at the college. While studying at UVA, he served in several off-campus Christian fellowship ministries including Mt. Olive Baptist Church college ministry, Camp Bethel Ministries, and Young Life in Wise, Virginia. He is currently pursuing Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Lincoln Memorial University—understanding that, “In every avenue of life I’m making efforts to attribute all my handiwork to God’s glory.”

A few key takeaways from my interview with Jahil:

The investment of godly parents can have incredible fruit in the life of a young man.
No matter what setting you’re in, you can choose to boldly step into hard places, in obedience to Christ and for His glory.
God may call you to stretch outside your comfort zone (and humble yourself!) for His glory. Say yes!
Any skill, any opportunity, can be used to share the hope of the gospel of Jesus.
If we are too afraid to say yes when God gives us an opportunity, it might be a sign that we’re seeing ourselves, not Christ, as the cornerstone.
When we take small steps in saying yes to living the #invitinglife, the next steps become easier.

Some of Jahlil’s life mottos:

Is your program updated? Operate by your program, and the rest will come.
Often as Christians we can get lonely. Just keep striving; keep pursuing the Kingdom.
Grow, mature, lead, in Jesus’ name.
“I really just had to deny my social anxiety, and to God be the glory, now it’s so second nature that I cut a couple guys’ hair at Bible study the other night.”
“If I had given in in adversity, shied away in mediocrity, then I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to impact people’s lives, to have those conversations in the chair where the gospel is heard.”

Men, even young men, can practice biblical hospitality. Did you know it’s a even requirement for church eldership? Jahlil first won my heart when I saw his passion for scripture and his boldness to declare it on his secular college campus, as a young adult in a Bible study my husband and I help lead. His respectful demeanor combined with a bold confidence made him stand out among his peers. His lifestyle choices are a reflection, even at his early season in life, of God’s call to the #invitinglife!

Key scripture passages:

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” – Colossians 3:23-24
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. – 1 Peter 4:10-11