Sometimes the teens in my youth ministry can drive me crazy, but no matter what, they are trully a blessing. I have got to give them propz!
We've been starting up student-led ministries, where teens can actually take on ministries of their own, and worship God by being leaders with the gifts they've been given. This program has been off to a slow start, but they are finally starting to see where they can put into action what they have to offer. It's exciting to feel the movement of their passions!
Last week, Haylee W. started the youth service off with a special song she is practicing for an upcoming church district competition called Celebrate Life. What's even more special about this is that she is singing it while playing piano. William B. is also coming a long way with his desire to lead worship in song. Last night he started the night off with The Altar and the Door by Casting Crowns, played on his accoustic. For the worship line-up, William led on accoustic, I backed him up with a little ukulele and Cajon, and Katie W. got the powerpoint slides up and running for everyone to follow the words!
Katie has shown a lot of interest in computer aided design, and he talents helped greatly last night. She is showing a desire to do even more with making the lyrics to worship music easier to follow, and helping put together a trip for teens that have a passion for video and photography. St. Louis couldn't be a better place for it!
Howard T. stepped up last Sunday by putting together a basketball practice for the guys heading to Celebrate Life for the tournament. This will be our first year having enough guys participating to form a whole basketball team, and Howard is using his good sportsmanlike attitude on the court to lead people the way Jesus would play the game. What's even better is that not only were the five guys at the practice that are going to the competition, but two others joined in to play as well, and last night, Howard got into a friendly one on one game with a visitor that showed up at our church! You never know who's heart God is softening through a friendly game of basketball.
William B. and Deven M. has taken the challenge to form a prayer team. Now that we have started Quiet Time with God on Sunday nights, an all church prayer and devotional time, prayer becoming more of a natural part of our relationship with God can be somewhat challenging, especially when going it alone. These two teens have teamed up together as trust partners, and have shown a desire to not only pray together, but start up prayer journals so they can follow their progress and stay encouraged. It's exciting to see people working together!
I was proud of Jorden M. last night for stepping up and being willing to talk about some of the struggles she is having, and wanting to make it right between her and God. We prayed it through last night, and she asked for forgiveness of some of those areas of her life that have separated her from her relationship with God! My heart leaps inside of me when I am able to pray with students through times like that! Jorden also talked last night about some of the food she loves to cook, and she is willing to put those gifts into action if she is given the right tools. (I'm leaning towards her being the first teen we ask to help in the kitchen for the supper on Wednesday nights) Howard's dad has also offered to help us with a fundraiser cookout and car wash on Saturday, March 31, at the Valvoline in O'Fallon, Illinois! We love our food at Parkview Church of the Nazarene, and who wouldn't want to share it for others to enjoy!?
Maddy G. is one of our College and Career students. She has recently been expressing an interest in volunteering as a hands on leader in our ministry, and has helped keep a few of our Clusters, small groups, on track on Sunday mornings. With her help, we are looking for ways to start a College and Career extension of our ministry for us to begin reaching out to nearby campuses in the area, like Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, SouthWest Illinois College, McKendree University, St. Louis University, Washington University, Webster University, Fontbonne University, Le Cul Culinaire, and others!
These are just a few of the students that have become more involved with BREAKOUT. They are Building close relationships with God, Reaching non-believing students, Enjoying lives shared with other Christians, Affecting others through their own areas of ministry, and Keeping true to God's Word in faith, hope, and Love. They are moving OUT of darkness and into God's Light! Student-Led Ministry is a privileged opportunity we have available for our Senior High students. It is our goal that these students will be Christ-like examples to the Junior Highers, and begin planting seeds for future leaders. Our Junior Highers already are showing an eagerness to lead, and are coming forward with areas they would love to serve! Our graduate students have the privilege of becoming youth sponsors and shaperones for events, and are even able to begin a hands on ministry by hosting Bible Study Clusters if they feel led to do so.
Once our graduate students feel the desire to serve, they are given the opportunity to join Teen360. This is our Adult Leadership Team, consisting of adults that are hands on by serving as Greeters, Sunday Skool Teachers, and Student-Led Ministry Coordinators. Right now our Teen360 team consists of Sarah L. and Craig H. Sarah plays an important roll in keeping our youth ministry focused, as well as mingling with the teens and showing an interest in their lives. Craig is our newest member of the team, also helping us begin forming our college and career branch.
All areas of ministry are open for anyone to join, and as we branch out, we hope new areas of ministry will continue to open! As God hands us the tools, we look for ways to build His Kingdom as we BREAKOUT into the creation God meant for us to be!
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