What we do…
We run ONE ‘After Church’ for 14s to 18s to allow the teenagers to digest the Sunday evening sermon together.
We run TWO youth groups – X Focus for 11s to 14s and Shift Focus for 14s to 18s.
We run TWO weekends away – the Junior Youth Weekend Away and the Senior Youth Weekend Away.
We run THREE pathfinder groups for 11s to 14s at the 9.15 am, 11 am, and 4 pm services.
We run FIVE youth growth groups for 14s to 18s.
How is it going…
It is a hard thing to judge how Christian Youth Work is going. It could all be based on numbers, and if people turn up each week, on an average Sunday we see fifty to sixty 11s to 18s. Undoubtably this is important. There is no point running things people don’t come to. But Christian Youth Work is not just about numbers. Our big concern is – are people growing in their knowledge and love of Christ? That is a hard thing to work out. So I decided to ask our teenagers what they most enjoyed about the Youth Growth Groups, and what the Lord had been teaching them. To be honest I found the responses rather moving. They encouraged me that the Lord in his mercy, and by his Spirit, is doing a mighty work here.
The best thing about the Youth Growth Group is…
“Having a place where we are able to grow and develop as a child of God, able to be equipped with the power of the word of God, as we go out into a world that doesn’t always accept or appreciate him.”
“The encouragement I feel knowing that I have a close group of people with whom I can share my love for Christ, as well as any troubles I’m facing at the present time.”
The Lord has been teaching me…
“To trust him no matter what, as he has a plan for me. If you are going through tough times raise your worries to him and put your faith in him, and he will show his power. He knows our names and he cares for us.”
“Even when I feel guilt, my value is fixed in Jesus, and it is secure no matter how many times I fail – he forgives!