I’m not from the South, but I lived in Texas for a few formative years. One of my favorite things about Texas was the liberal use of the word y’all, or better yet the phrase all y’all. I never had heard that phrase when I lived in the Midwest, but in Texas, it’s as common as sweet tea and barbeque. Despite what Texans may like to believe, they are not the originators of such vernacular. Moses was.

Deuteronomy 6 has become a mantra of sorts in my work. Moses gave a calling to the Israelites when the Lord commanded His chosen people to instruct their children at every opportunity. Yet, we often misinterpret this passage as God’s word to parents. He was calling forth the entire community—all y’all—to rear the younger generation, which required the entire village to ensure the next generation would know the great I AM.

Earlier this year, I was headed to pick up my 5-year-old son, Judah, from his classroom after Sunday worship. As I walked in the door, I suddenly stopped and took a step back. My eyes filled with tears as I watched the scene unfold in the room. Judah was sitting at a short little table with his fellow adopted Ethiopian friend, Hallelujah (Yes, that’s his birth name!), a couple other 5-year-olds, and three high school students, Devin, Stephanie, and Abby. Altogether, they were playing a made-up game, laughing, and joking together. A few other teachers were in the room: a Caucasian, adoptive dad, leading alongside his Chinese, middle school daughter, and Stephanie’s mom and elementary-age sister. The room was full of life, energy and intergenerational connection. The presence of love was palpable.

In that holy moment, the Lord affirmed a basic truth: Discipleship matters. The investment you make in another person is always worth it. A few years ago, before I was Judah’s mom, Devin, Stephanie and Abby were students in my middle school spiritual leadership group. For two years, I poured into their spiritual lives and leadership gifts faithfully (and sometimes frustratingly) because I believed in them.

As I stood in that doorway, tears spilling onto my cheeks, I sensed the Father showing me that the pursuit of integration is worthwhile. As the adoptive dad and Stephanie’s mom poured into their own kids, so they now were pouring into a room full of bouncy 5-year-olds. As I poured into Devin, Stephanie, and Abby, they now were pouring into my son. Multiple generations were integrating beautifully with one another. Faith was being integrated, woven into each person loving, serving and playing together. I’m confident the kingdom came a little more on earth as it is heaven that Sunday morning.

The truth is the church has become comfortable being segregated. We’re too good at providing poignant programming for individual life stages. We’ve missed Moses’ directive in Deuteronomy 6. We’re not structured or mindful enough to have moments such as what happened in Judah’s classroom because we’ve become awesome at dividing the people of God into their unique corners of the church.

However, the more I see all y’all springing from the pages of Scripture and into my life, the more convinced I am God knew what He was doing when He instructed the Israelites. Our village is instructing my children, holistically ministering to them at times when I might not be aware. Last month, I was with a dozen middle school students who serve in our children’s ministry. I was stepping in that day for our children’s pastor who facilitates a monthly leadership meeting with these students. I hadn’t met several of these sixth, seventh and eighth graders; yet when I asked them if they knew my kids, Judah, Addise and Asher, all y’all were quick to tell stories and squeal about my kids. I couldn’t conceal a silly grin as our students exclaimed what they had said or done with my kids. Joy exploded in my heart as I saw integration at work in our community.

This is only the beginning of all y’all. May all y’all continue to see Deuteronomy 6 springing from the pages of Scripture in your lives and churches, too.

April is on the advisory board for YouthWorker Journal and is heavily vested with Fuller Youth Institute. April and her hubby coparent the most beautiful Ethiopians, Judah and Addise, and bio-son, Asher. Her first book, Redefining the Role of the Youth Worker: A Manifesto of Integration, is a compelling vision for the church’s role with teenagers. Web: AprilDiaz.com | Twitter.com@AprilLDiaz