Song service was in full swing when I arrived at church for camp's evening service, my little one in tow. Luckily, I was able to snag the last seat in the back pew next to Losa and Pastor Justin. I make it a point to sit in the last row, as chasing my child down the aisle is a sight no one needs to see. The back pew also happens to give me a good view of the entire church. Which is why I noticed one of our camp kids scattering small gel beads into the main aisle when he thought no one was looking.
I walked over to him and asked him to pick up his beads. As good Tongan kids go, he immediately got on the floor and started collecting them, carefully returning them to his bottle. Minutes later, a passerby accidentally kicked the bottle over, scattering the beads even further up the aisle.
Without any hesitation, Pastor Justin stood up, walked over to where the beads had scattered, knelt in the middle of the aisle, and spent the next few minutes helping the child collect them. Others looked over to see what he was doing on his hands and knees, but no one stopped to help. When Pastor Justin returned to his seat, he simply said, “I didn’t want the beads to go further up the aisle” and went right back to singing.
It was a such a small thing, but I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
In a time when some church leaders act like kings, it was deeply meaningful to see the same humble spirit of our Saviour, who washed the disciples' feet, in our pastors at camp. And not just from the stage, but in ordinary moments.
Pastor Justin getting splashed and wet while helping with the kids’ programs.
Pastor Ofa hammering down poles for tents.
Pastor Jo working the grill every night for hours.
Pastor Kase shuttling campers in a golf cart to church.
Pastor Paul sitting in the front pew of every service to give words of encouragement to our kids and youth.
Pastor Sonatane seeking out all our first-time campers to spend time with them.
Pastor Kepu, playing YAYA referee all week, was so exhausted that I saw him roll himself up in a fala and sleep under a tree.
Pastor Mil planning a special day for all our Pathfinders and Adventures.
On Sabbath afternoon, these same hands and hearts that had served in countless roles all week, united together to stand beside those who answered Christ’s call and baptize them into a life anew.
After Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, He said to them: “Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” John 13:16,17. This is what Christ-filled leadership looks like. Not always seeking out the stage or standing above people but kneeling with them in their time of need. Even when the need is as small as picking up a few beads in the middle of a church aisle.