What was our speaker Derek’s theme for the 2026 Junior High Winter Blast?
Imago Dei
The first night, he had the boys and girls split and then each form a line.
First, he had them line up tallest to shortest.
Then they had to line up weakest to strongest.
Finally, Derek told them to line up most popular to least popular.
While the boys were shuffling around, not sure what to do, the girls made a bold decision.
They made a circle.
Just writing about this brings tears to my eyes. Because without being prepared or told what the theme of the weekend was ahead of time, these young woman instinctively understood Imago Dei.
Image of God
Derek’s chapel sessions focused on the mind-boggling Biblical truth that we are made in the image of God.
Every single person that you meet, is priceless.
They are made in the image of God and so are you.
“So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”–Genesis 1:27
“If anyone takes a human life, that person’s life will also be taken by human hands. For God made human beings in his own image.”–Genesis 9:6
“People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God.”–James 3:7-9
On Sunday morning, Derek spoke from Matthew 25.
“Your value is established as an image bearer of God,” he said.
“Now, how will you invest what you’ve been given?”
“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone.”–Matthew 25:14
“He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.”–Matthew 25:15
“The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more.”–Matthew 25:16
“The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more.”–Matthew 25:17
“But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money.”–Matthew 25:18
Your value is priceless as an image bearer of God. God seeks you like a shepherd searching for a lost sheep and He longs for you to rush home to Him. As a follower of Christ you are the beloved of the Father, bought with the death of the Son, and filled with the power of the Spirit. Rest in the assurance that you are chosen, valued, and loved beyond what you can properly understand. Step out in confidence to use what you have been given in a way that would honor Christ.
Not just a message for junior high students, my friends! This is one we all should remember as we interact with those around us. What will we do with the knowledge that each of us is made in the image of God? Will we honor our Lord or bury His gifts in the ground?
