"Cheers" on Easter

Cheers. That’s what I remember from The Stirring’s Easter services. Not cheers as in we were about to drink a pint, not Cheers the television show, but cheers as in jubilation. Every Easter churches will do the loved saying by the pastor, “He is Risen!” and the congregation will answer, “He is Risen Indeed!” Not The Stirring. We say, “He is Risen,” and the majority of the congregation of young adults and young Christians answer with a”Yeah!” or a “Whoo!” mixed with a murmured, “He is Risen Indeed.” I find this excitement expressed through cheer is the definition of The Stirring’s congregation core. We don’t all necessarily yet know, we are on our way, how to act like a Christian (if knowing a saying actually means that), but we know we want to follow Christ. We are raw, young believers, learners, teachers, friends, families, and students that are all seeking to Love and make disciples. The other cheer that I remember came during every baptism. I could not help but cheer! It is powerful to see and hear the stories of these individuals and how God has absolutely transformed their lives. How great and awesome is the power of God! Some of these individuals, six months ago could not imagine even going to church let alone being baptized. I hope next year we continue to hear more cheers than “He is Risen Indeed’s.” That just means we are still fulfilling the great commission and raising up new believers… mixed with a little bit of raw excitement.