The music stopped, and as I opened my eyes I was instantly brought to tears. Sitting in the front row on a very cold, very foggy morning, looking out at the ocean—I saw the sun peak above the water. Not only was the sunrise beautiful, I also witnessed each of my students who were leading us in worship that day with hands raised high to the sky as if to say, “God, here I am; and that one was for You.” An image I never will forget and a feeling I hope to have again and again—an Easter morning filled with talk of the power of the resurrection.

In the church where I serve, students are valued. On Easter, they are looked at not only as students and leaders, but as servants and with eyes from our community members that glimmer with hope and excitement.

Usually our first prayer on Easter morning is at 4:30—a day and time the students and I look forward to all year long. Our church has three services on Easter, and the students are in charge of leading the service that begins at sunrise. We live in a place where sunrises are beautiful—right on the east coast—and there’s something powerful about watching the sun rise on Easter morning above that vast body of water. There’s something beautiful about a student speaking of the resurrection and testifying to the redemptive power in the blood of Jesus while watching the ocean repeatedly and consistently kissing the shoreline no matter how many times it’s sent away.

During the winter months as we prepare our students to minister the gospel on Easter morning, the excitement builds—not only for the service—but for the resurrection. Our students take the resurrection and its innate power seriously. During our first gathering to pray for the sunrise service, one of our fragile and extremely bright 14-year-olds prayed, “Lord, thank You for the resurrection. Thank You for redeeming me.” The students understand the importance and the link between redemption and resurrection.

So for our ministry, Easter is a chance for students to minister to their parents, peers and our community. It’s a chance for them to speak of the redemptive power of Jesus—and praise God for the resurrection—as the ocean kisses the shoreline and as the sun is rising—the SON is rising, too.