CENTRAL STATES CONFERENCE
Ebenezer Fellowship Hosts
E
benezer Fellowship Church in Minneapolis held its first Let’s Talk Teen Summit last February. This ongoing series of panel discussions is addressing some of the issues impacting and altering day-to-day health and wellbeing of youth in the church and the communities surrounding our churches. The panel taking questions offered a balanced view of their experiences and godly wisdom, all under the prayerful guidance of Pastor Johnathan B. Fields Jr. There was a good representation of youth, young adults who had recently married, and those who have been
Resource for members Ebenezer Fellowship Women’s Ministry—Great Lakes Region Prayer Line. Sundays 7-7:30 am CST 605.313.4154 Code: 625655#
10 OUTLOOKMAG.ORG SEPT 2019
Photos: Courtesy Central States Conference
married for many years. As the summit got underway, people opened up and felt safe to share their experiences and observations about violent dating relationships. The attendees learned how to recognize warning signs of unhealthy and controlling behaviors. It was explained that these behaviors can at first seem like “love to the ‘nth degree,” but without Christ this kind of love will quickly seek to control, intimidate, isolate and eventually become violent. Community members shared personal stories of how they failed to take the counsel of parents and elders,
and how this disregard of counsel later led to abusing drugs, having illicit sex, and teen pregnancies. The teens were also reminded of what 3 John 1:2 promises: “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth” (KJV). The evening ended with Pastor Fields charging the teens to be forever faithful to God, to dare to be like Daniel and to “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them” (Eccl. 12:1 KJV). If he hits you once, he will hit you again The Let’s Talk panel discussions continued on June 1 with the adult members talking about domestic violence. The community was
Pastor Johnathan B. Fields Jr. (far right) guided participants in discussions about personal health and wellbeing.
