Reach out

Next Generations pastors unite

Does anyone know any resources addressing some of the tough questions our children are asking at the moment? Who has a social media policy for their youth group? How can I have meaningful connect group times with my young adults online?

Baptist Churches Western Australia Next Generations Pastor, Ed Devine said these were some of the questions asked by Next Generations pastors and ministry leaders as the reality of COVID-19 social isolation began to impact ministries in early March.

The Next Generations team responded first by checking-in with as many pastors as possible. It then established a dedicated COVID-19 page on its website for collating ministry resources and information. Online Zoom meetings were held with groups of pastors to discuss strategic next steps for ministries and to listen to each other’s stories and concerns.

Ed said Next Generations pastors responded swiftly and with wonderful heart.

“They really thought about the people they are ministering to and adjusted the online ministries to best reach them. This isn’t a one size fits all scenario, but a prayerful consideration,” he said.

The most popular platform implemented has been the conference software Zoom. Pastors have been holding Bible studies, prayer meetings and playing games on Friday nights. Facebook Live, Instagram TV and YouTube have also been used to keep the message of hope in Jesus proclaimed.

Ed shared that weekly Zoom prayer meetings for Next Generations pastors and the creation of interviews with professionals to assist pastors were taking place. An example was a recent interview with psychologist Yvonne Kilpatrick, in which she provided pastors with tips for helping parents and children manage prolonged periods of being stuck at home.

A challenge has been to ensure these new online ministries happen within the existing Safe Church framework. As most youth ministries are already online, social media policies exist but had to be adjusted for applications like Zoom and to empower younger leaders to minister transparently.

“We have been encouraging a whole church approach to policy

Kalgoorlie Baptist Church’s ‘Bright Sparks’ Bible videos, featuring puppet shows, were among resources shared between Next Generations pastors during social isolation.

creation and risk assessments,” Ed said.

“What is positive to see is pastors freely sharing the resources they create.”

Kalgoorlie Baptist Church Children’s Ministry Coordinator, Sandy Vlatko, has been sharing her ‘Bright Sparks’ puppet shows with a biblical message. Carey Baptist Church Forrestdale’s Next Generations Pastor, Shelby O’Reilly is also sharing her weekly video content to others, with Children’s Pastor Kylie Hofer from Warnbro Community Church helping create an animated logo for Shelby’s videos.

“The sharing and cooperation within Baptist churches and across denominations is fantastic,” Ed said.

RZIM founder Ravi Zacharias dies at age 74

Ravi Zacharias died on 19 May at his home in Atlanta, following a brief battle with sarcoma. He was 74.

Ravi Zacharias spent the past 48 years commending the Christian faith and addressing life’s greatest existential questions of origin, meaning, morality and destiny with eloquence and grace.

Through his founding and leadership of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM), Zacharias launched a global team of nearly 100 Christian scholars and authors who continue to speak, resource, train and address the questions of millions around the world.

“[Ravi] saw the objections and questions of others not as something to be rebuffed, but as a cry of the heart that had to be answered,” RZIM President, Michael Ramsden said.

“People weren’t logical problems waiting to be solved – they were people who needed the person of Christ.”

“Those who knew him well will remember him first for his kindness, gentleness and generosity of spirit. The love and kindness he had come to know in and through Jesus Christ was the same love he wanted to share with all he met.”

“Many pastors are saying that they will continue to minister online in some way due to the reach it is having.”

Resources are available at nextgenbaptistwa.com.au/ ministrycovid19

Zacharias is survived by his wife of 48 years, Margie, his daughters Sarah and Naomi, his son Nathan and five grandchildren.

“It was his Saviour, Jesus Christ, that my dad always wanted most to talk about,” RZIM CEO, Sarah Davis said.

“Even in his final days, until he lacked the energy and breath to speak, he turned every conversation to Jesus and what the Lord had done.”

“He perpetually marvelled that God took a 17 year old sceptic, defeated in hopelessness and unbelief, and called him into a life of glorious hope and belief in the truth of Scripture – a message he would carry across the globe for 48 years.”