I am very excited about the direction our youth ministry is taking and how the team that Pastor Josh developed while here and other new comers are stepping up to lead our youth ministry into the future. They are having some great meetings and I am planning a time to meet with two of our key youth leaders, Michael Pearce and Aaron Bergesen on a weekly basis. I do want to update you on the direction God is calling us to and the development of a new team of Parents to assist our youth staff as they minister Christ to our young people. We have listed out our overarching goals in accordance with the purpose of Westside Community Church. I ask that you pray fervently for these goals as you spend time with our Lord on a day by day basis.
Purpose of Youth at WCC
God has called us to Engage Teenagers with the Gospel of Christ, Equip Teenagers to grow in their relationship with Christ and Enlist Teenagers to go out and transform their family and friends with Gospel of Christ (sound familiar?)! The team has many ideas of how we can accomplish God's purpose for His youth ministry here in Apopka, but below are the 'key' ingredients or the 'core strategies' that we will focus on!
Engage teens with the Gospel will look something like the following:
Our youth staff will Develop a highly interactive and participative mid week gathering opportunity for teens in grades 6 – 12. This would include group games, interactive group activities, skits, music, drama, video, small groups and a Bible lesson. Secondly, we will also Develop a group of adults who will build significant relationships with our teens that will serve as a bed rock foundation for our kids growth. Thirdly, we hope to Sponsor 1 – 2 convention/retreat experiences for our teens during the year (state youth convention is coming up). And, fourthly, we hope to sponsor monthly age appropriate outings and activities with low cost involved for our 6 – 8 and 9 – 12 grades
Equip Teenagers to grow in Christ will look something like the following:
We will continue to develop our Sunday School Program for both our middle and high school students as we encourage our teens to bring their friends and study God's Word together. We have a great, great staff of youth Sunday school teachers and we hope to recruit, equip and deploy even more! Secondly, we intend to communicate and Practice Spiritual Disciplines/Habits with our teens. Disciplines such as prayer, bible reading, tithing and service are crucial components of Christian living and exciting adventures in life and ministry. Thirdly, we hope to launch periodic small groups (outside of Sunday School) for targeted ages and gender throughout the year
Enlisting Teens will look something like the following:
We would like to develop a ‘mentoring’ program for our older teens to give back to our younger teens. This is a dream of several staff members now and, with the Lord's aid, will become a reality that could literally change the face of our community. Secondly, we will be intentional by giving our teens tools that will equip them to share their faith. And thirdly, we will plan and coordinate quarterly service projects/camps for the ministry within the congregation and our community
A new aspect of parent involvement and opportunity will be the development and oversight of a ‘PIT’ (Parent Involvement Team) Crew (this team will function under the authority of our youth leader(s) and work together with them to be sure our systems and structures can support this thriving ministry
This team will assist in weekly ministry needs of Wednesday night from child care, to sign ins to snacks, food etc. They will also assist in developing fundraiser opportunities for our youth to aid in their expenses for trip. Thirdly, they will assist in communication devices and systems to keep everyone on the same page . Fourthly, they will assist in covering any ‘logistics’ pieces so that the ‘youth staff leaders’ can be freed up to do ministry.
As you can see, we are well on the road to the continuation and expansion of a great youth ministry driven by the purposes God has called this church to achieve. Pray with us and join with us in ministry as God seeks from you and me MORE THAN BEFORE!
Pastor Biz
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