(This is an article I wrote for our church's newsletter!)
It's hard to believe summer is almost over. It is one of our busiest times in youth ministry, and this year has been great!
At the end of each summer I take some time to look back over the entire ministry year, Fall through Summer, and think about where we've been and where we're headed. This year a few things stand out to me:
GROWTH. Our group has grown so much this year! I don't mean numerically, although we've added quite a few students and are on an "upswing" as far as attendance to our weekly gatherings goes, but spiritually I've seen so much growth this year. It's one of the most rewarding things to see young men and women step up in their own faith and in leadership roles within the group. Youth Sunday a few weeks ago was a great example of seeing our students lead in worship and in sharing their faith, and it's an awesome thing to see God working in their lives!
WORSHIP. I see a growing heart for worship in our young people. They want to sing, and pray, and express themselves creatively in response to who God is, and that's exciting! I will never forget our students on the mission trip this year wanting to sing and worship first thing in the morning (even before breakfast!) and last thing at night before lights-out. Songs like "How He Loves", "Beautiful Things", and "After All" have become anthems which they sing with open and surrendered hearts, and I really can't tell you how moving it is to worship with them on Wednesday nights and other times!
SERVICE. It's been awesome over the last year to see so many of our youth step out and find ways to serve inside and outside the youth ministry and the church. Many have been involved in homeless ministries, local and foreign missions, and service projects through their schools or other community programs. This generation of middle and high schoolers is a cause-oriented generation, and they won't sit back and be a part of something unless they can make a difference through it. It's awesome to see them pair their faith with action - their talk with their walk - and become the hands and feet of Jesus in our community and even to the ends of the earth!
ADULTS. If you don't know it yet, let me tell you - we have some AMAZING adult volunteers working with our students. Our current team of youth workers is the best group I've ever been a part of in over ten years of youth ministry, and it makes a HUGE difference in our ministry and, more importantly, in our students' lives. Being surrounded by adults who love Jesus and love them makes more difference in young people's lives than anything else we do in youth ministry. We are blessed to have a group of committed, caring adults working in youth ministry at FBCCS!
NEED. This past year has truly been a blessing to me, and so many wonderful things have come out of it. But it has also been one of the most challenging times in my entire ministry career. This past year has reminded me how deep the needs in the lives of today's young people are, and how crucial it is that we have a focused, intentional ministry to them. Divorce, family instability, domestic abuse (physical, emotional, psychological), drug and alcohol usage and addictions, unplanned pregnancy, sexual confusion and identity issues, violence, bullying, suicide, eating disorders, access to pornography and other dangerous content via the internet, and more... these are the tip of the massive iceberg of challenges facing today's teenagers. And all of those pale in comparison to the spiritual need in young people's lives - the need for a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ!
I'm looking back, reflecting on the past year, but I'm also looking forward to what's ahead. I'm excited about the next year in youth ministry. I have many goals, hopes, and dreams for where we're going in 2012-2013, but more than anything else, my prayer is that we continue to chase after Jesus and gain a greater understanding of who He is and a deeper connection to Him through our worship of Him, and that through that we'll see many lives changed.
kianamaiart
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