SEPTEMBER CIRCUIT
VOLUME 2/NUMBER 5
The West Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church
Ministry can happen A N Y W H E R E By Bev Columbo, Associate Pastor, Lewisburg UMC
Ministering to youth began for me as a Young Life leader in 1988, some 20 years ago. Youth ministry changes in a fluid way as our society changes. But a few things remain steady, constant, and effective. Students desire relationship, a sense of belonging, and love! We as youth ministers know Jesus is the answer to all three of these needs. Like Jesus, effective ministry happens when we seek people out and walk alongside them in their world. Youth ministry connected to a church begins not just within the church walls but in the students' world. If a church does not have student-aged folks, identify ONE parishioner's child, grandchild, niece or neighbor. Build a relationship with that child. To claim students for Christ we must be involved in their school or their sporting event or simply meet them at their local hang out. A simple strategy for this is volunteering at school lunch, enjoying the Friday night football game, or supporting their events. Showing up for teens and loving them where they are is powerful. As you "earn the right to be heard," earn trust and true connection, a mentor relationship organically blossoms. Cont. on page 3