Youth Unlimited Magazine | Spring 2014

there's still room - serve 2014 SIGN YOUR STUDENTS UP FOR A MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCE THIS SUMMER.

>>> FACES OF YOUTH UNLIMITED| REMEMBERING “BIG JAKE” | MORE THAN JUSTICE <<<

YOUTHUNLIMITED MAGAZINE SPRING 2014 youthunlimited.org | 1

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Contents OPENING NOTE: TRUST FALL. . .................................................. pg. 5 FACES OF YOUTH UNLIMITED ............................................. pg. 6 REMEMBERING “BIG JAKE” ................................................ pg. 8 YOUTH UNLIMITED STAFF PICKS ....................................... pg. 9

YOUTH UNLIMITED | SPRING 2014 Youth Unlimited has a rich 90 year history of assisting churches ministering to youth. Birthed out of the Christian Reformed Church, Youth Unlimited remains committed to the reformed perspective while serving alongside congregations of any denomination. We strongly believe that the local church is the tool God is using to reveal himself to this world, and we are blessed to partner with congregations to offer faith-forming experiences that reach this generation of youth for Jesus Christ!

This informational magazine is printed in the United States as a free resource to churches across North America. It is published triannually by Youth Unlimited, Grand Rapids, MI.

Design & Publication Director | Jim Bowerman Contributing Writers | Youth Unlimited Staff, Joe Hamilton

SERVE 2014 ......................................................................... pg. 10

and Michelle Meadows

Cover Photo Credit | Holland Serve Site 2013

TRUE RELIGION: MORE THAN JUSTICE..................................... pg. 15 TIREDNESS: YOUNG ADULTS AS A SOLUTION . . ............................ pg. 16 THE SERVE TRIFECTA .. ....................................................... pg. 16 TESTIMONIES ....................................................................... pg. 19 Not sure what these boxes are?

They are QR codes: two-dimensional bar-

USA | Postmaster, please send undeliverable copies and address changes to:

Youth Unlimited 1333 Alger Street SE Grand Rapids, MI 49507

Canada | Canada Post International Sales Agreement

#41124116. Please send undeliverable copies and address changes to: Youth Unlimited PO Box 1100 Norwich, ON, N0J 1P0

codes that can be read by smart phones.

THE YOUTH UNLIMITED TEAM:

Own a smart phone?

Executive Director:

1. Download the app.

2. Scan the code.

Hold your phone over the code and use its camera

and a QR app to read the QR code.

3. Enjoy!

The QR code will direct you to a site, a video, music,

photo or other goody.

4. No smart phone?

Editor | Mandi Merritt

Look for the link at the bottom of the page.

Jeff Kruithof 616.241.5616 ext. 3043 jeff@youthunlimited.org

Missions Director:

Jerry Meadows 616.241.5616 ext. 3040 jerry@youthunlimited.org

Office Manager & Program Admin: Alesha Ebeling 616.241.5616 ext. 3038 alesha@youthunlimited.org

Design & Brand Manager: Jim Bowerman 616.241.5616 ext. 3039 jim@youthunlimited.org

Editor & Social Media Coordinator: Mandi Merritt 616.241.5616 ext. 3045 mandi@youthunlimited.org youthunlimited.org

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opening note:

S

truggling to find a house that fit our needs (and wants), my family and I walked out the door of our home for the last time, knowing we had three months to find something before we had to be out of our short-term rental. While we were looking forward to moving closer to our church and school, my wife and I were both well aware of how little time we had to find a new home. God had plans however, and two weeks later he made the home we had been praying for available, and two months later we moved in. It was answered prayer and we knew this was where we were supposed to be, but God did it on his timeline and his message was clear.

Trust me!

Have you had those times in youth ministry of being totally dependent on God? That place where you ask yourself, do I really believe God will come through? For some, that time is leading small group discussions. For others, it could be getting up in front of a large group to share a testimony, or taking students on a Serve mission experience or working through unmet expectations with parents or a pastor.

Whatever brings you there, most of us might agree, it is often a place filled with fear and anxiety, and if we’re really

honest, we might even admit it causes us to question how much can we really depend on him.

It is human nature to want to be in control, but listen to the words of Psalm 146: 3-6, “Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, the maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them – the Lord, who remains faithful forever.”

Do you remember having a parent or friend tell you to fall backwards into their arms? It was scary, exciting and nerve wrecking all at the same time. If it was a parent, you knew they would catch you, but the fear was still there. When I play this game with my daughters there are times they can’t bring themselves to fall, even though I’m 100% confident I’ll catch them. When they don’t want to, I don’t get angry, but when they do, it makes me feel oh so good. I want to believe God feels something similar when we depend on him. He is probably not angry when we don’t fully trust him, but I’m sure he’s filled with joy when we do!

As the church calendar year comes to a close and transitions toward summer ministry and mission experiences begin, it is my prayer you have experienced the joy found in serving him through serving students and that you put all trust in him as your summer experiences begin.

As the childhood song goes . . . trust and obey, for there is no other way, to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey.

Partners in ministry,

Jeff Kruithof Executive Director

JEFF KRUITHOF

has 17 years of experience in non-profit leadership and a love for God’s work through the local church. youthunlimited.org | 5

JILLIAN BAJEMA

Q

Where could we find you at 10:00AM on a Saturday morning?

Q

What’s your favorite place to meet with students, and why?

Since I’m a college student and sleep is normally at a premium, you can usually count on me sleeping in or just waking up at 10:00AM on a Saturday morning.

I love meeting with students at a coffee shop. The environment is welcoming for great discussions that can result in strengthened relationships and challenged, but growing, faith.

Q

What do you do to stay relevant to the youth of today?

I still consider myself a youth, but to keep up with the “kids,” I try to take my youth on outings besides the traditional youth group nights. I sometimes find that the farther I am from the regular meeting space, the more open and willing youth are to talk to me about the things they really care about.

I also pay attention to what they post about on Facebook and Instagram.

Q

What resource has inspired you for ministry lately?

I recently got back from an interim course in Israel. I found new ways to dive into the word. I’m so excited to share the insights I gained from the trip with the youth at my church.

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Q

What is at least one website that you visit every day?

Q

How do you avoid getting volunteer burnout?

I have to go with the classics on this one.

Definitely Facebook and BuzzFeed. Both of these websites provide an easy way to communicate with and “stay hip” with the younger generation.

I avoid volunteer burnout by enjoying the little things my youth do. Whether it is a funny joke, an odd compliment or an unexpected theological question; these are the places I see and feel God and this is where I feel rejuvenated.

Q

Where could we find you at 10:00 AM on a Saturday morning?

Q

I never leave for youth group without ...?

It really depends on the time of year. Most the time, I am at home relaxing from a long week or I am at a local lake fishing.

Sometimes I am volunteering at the church for an event or an outreach ministry.

My Phone, because I usually get four to six texts right before youth group is starting asking me what we are going to be doing that night.

Q Q

If your students described you in five words, what would they say?

THE FACES Q OF YOUTH UNLIMITED

Funny, outgoing, caring, real, honest What resource has inspired you for ministry lately?

There have been a couple things that have inspired me; one was the past youth pastors that I had that were really passionate for youth and always sacrificed for their students. Another resource was a book called In the Name of Jesus by Henri J.M. Nouwen. An absolute read to anyone considering ministry.

Where would you love to travel to someday in the future?

I would love to travel to Israel one day. I can’t imagine what it would be like to be at the places we read about in the Bible,

MARIO PEREZ

and to think that Jesus most likely walked on the same ground I am walking on . . . mind blown!

Q

How do you avoid getting volunteer burnout?

I love working in ministry but at times I have to use a tool that my pastor once told me about and that tool is the word “No.” I have learned that I cannot commit to everything and by using that tool it keeps me from getting over committed and tired, which allows me to continue to serve where I am needed.

“I’VE FOUND IN THE PAST DECADE OF STUDENT MINISTRY THAT STUDENTS DON’T WANT ME TO BE RELEVANT, THEY JUST WANT ME TO BE CONSISTENT; THE WANT ME TO CONSISTENTLY BE THERE, AND THEY WANT TO SEE EVIDENCE OF ME LIVING A CONSISTENT LIFE AS A FOLLOWER OF JESUS CHRIST.”

JEN ROZEMA

Q

What’s your favorite place to meet with students, and why?

I’m going to be bold and say that downtown Holland, MI is one of the best downtowns imaginable. With great local coffee shops, frozen yogurt vendors and restaurants, and a very inviting atmosphere, going downtown is like taking a breather from the rest of life. We always have a great time, and we always bump into other students, which is an added bonus!

Q

What do you do to stay relevant to youth?

I actually don’t feel a huge push to stay relevant – really I just feel a huge need to be and stay present in their lives. I’ve found in the past decade of student ministry that students don’t want me to be relevant, they just want me to be consistent; they want me consistently there, and they want to see evidence of me living a consistent life as a follower of Jesus Christ.

Q

If your students described you in five words, what would they say?

Hmmm . . . slightly ridiculous but authentically passionate?

Q

What resource has inspired you for ministry lately?

That has got to be a toss up right now between In the Name of Jesus by Henri

Nouwen and Sustainable Youth Ministry

by Mark DeVries.

Q

What do you do when you get free time?

What’s free time? Just kidding. Going allout for people all day, either at church or at home with four children seven and under, I love carving out a little alone time at the beginning and end of each day. In the morning, before anyone else gets up, I love my quiet time in the Word and prayer while drinking a good cup of tea or coffee. At night, I wind down by taking a run with our Vizla puppy. I also love reading, holistic cooking and just about any outdoor activity.

Q

How do you avoid getting volunteer burnout?

We really share ownership. Sometimes I joke (with a hint of truth) that I work for them as the paper-pusher/secretary of the ministry. In fact, working alongside them in a team ministry model is what helps keep ME from burnout as well! I also encourage them to spend time with students, and open the budget up to them for that, because intentional time with students revitalizes us and keeps us going. Little gestures along the way do help, too, like having leaders and spouses over for a night of fellowship and a gourmet meal on my deck after Serve!

Let us know if you’d like to be interviewed for a future issue of the Youth Unlimited Magazine at interview@youthunlimited.org

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BY JEFF KRUITHOF

REMEMBERING “BIG JAKE”

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n Wednesday, February 26, Youth Unlimited lost a dear friend, mentor and significant encourager, Jake Hiemstra. Married to Wilma, Jake was the father of five wonderful children and the grandfather of 12. Closely following his love for Christ and family was his passion for youth ministry. As a volunteer youth leader for over three decades, Jake impacted thousands of youth. He was a champion for youth ministry within Ontario, Canada, serving in leadership positions for youth retreats, youth worker retreats and most notably helping grow the All Ontario Youth Convention from a couple hundred to 1,000 youth and leaders.

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Those who knew Jake would tell you he was all about relationships. He was constantly searching for the next person to go see, being quick to give a hug, share a smile or laugh and offer an encouraging word no matter how far out of the way it was, whether across the room or as far as Korea.

Jake also held a commitment to never settling for mediocre. He was driven to learn, be relevant and give students his best. To assure his utmost for Christ, he was an annual attendee at conferences like Willow Creek’s Global Leadership Summit and Youth for Christ’s Teen’s Conference. He was always meeting with other youth workers to discuss

and brainstorm best practices in youth ministry as well as reading youth ministry books.

For the many years he served, Jake took students on Youth Unlimited experiences like Serve, and over the past six years he served Youth Unlimited as a board member. His passion for Christ and youth, promotion of relationships, discerning spirit and provision of wisdom will forever leave a mark on Youth Unlimited. Jake will live on in our hearts, but will be greatly missed.

Jake’s Life Verse: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” – 1 John 3:1

Y O U T H U N L I M I T E D S TA F F P I C K S : Mandi: What We Talk About When We Talk About God

by Rob Bell sheds light onto why both culture and the church have shied away from talking about God and shows how we can reconnect with God, the creator of a complex kingdom, who is pulling us forward into a better future.

The book challenges misconstructions about God and exposes how he is with us, for us, ahead of us, and how understanding this could change the progression of our lives. What We Talk About When We Talk About God is a conversational, thought-provoking monologue designed to raise questions and stimulate discussion. It asks us to consider a very necessary reawakening to God’s presence in our lives and his work in this world.

Jerry: Everyday I Pray for My Teenager is a great book

by Eastman Curtis who outlines over 130 potential areas in which teens struggle. There is a solid and strategic example of intercession for each area. If a parent or youth leader wants to be in a spiritual battle for the soul of their youth, this book will help wield the sword of scripture and the shield of faith. You might also consult it when issues come up during mentoring or counseling.

While Eastman Curtis could be labeled “charismatic” in some of his theology

and you may chose to take some of it with a grain of salt, I appreciate the tone of the warfare prayers. You will too if a student you love is struggling. I have reached for this book many times after pacing and praying and pondering if I was missing something.

Alesha: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is a film based loosely on the 1939 short story by James Thurber. The story follows a man who goes from daydreaming a full life to living that adventurous life that has only been imagined. Walter Mitty embarks on a journey that changes not only how he sees the world but also how he interacts with it. This film offers a valuable reminder for us all to seek adventure and to find joy along the way, no matter where that is.

Jim: A moment of honesty for Christians out there: have you ever wondered what your Salvation is actually FOR? Is it just to get to heaven? Is it so we can have a “friend in Jesus”? Is it even just about us? For the Life of the World: Letters to Exiles is an invitation to explore the scandalous and beautiful story of God’s plan for the whole world. It starts with this key question: what is our Salvation FOR? How does it affect every part of our existence?

With a supreme cast of thinkers and doers and original music by Jars of Clay, For the Life of the World: Letters to Exiles

*Jim’s review uses the actual discription text used by Evan Koons for the film Series.

paints a bigger, more captivating picture of Christianity’s role in the world. If you love your church - or even if you’ve given up on it - this series is for you.* Jeff: This book is a true story about the life of Marcus Luttrell, a United States Navy Seal. It documents his upbringing, quest to become an elite warrior, a fire-fight between his team of four Navy Seals against 150 Taliban soldiers and culminates with his survival thanks to a local villager who rescues, protects and cares for him. Throughout the book, it becomes clear that both physical strength and endurance are important but mental toughness is even more important - Navy Seal’s never quit, no matter the odds. I confess, I did not read this book to gather youth ministry insight, but I did find myself wrestling with a few questions that apply to life in youth ministry like: 1. How mentally tough am I when my faith and ministry are challenged?

2. We all know how tough youth ministry can be. Do I have a “never give up” attitude?

3. A Navy Seal never leaves a fellow soldier behind/alone. Do I encourage and support others in youth ministry?

Do I have a team/support network that looks out for me? - If you do not, make it a priority today.

Pictured above from left to right is: Jim, Alesha, Jerry, Mandi and Jeff. If you have a book, blog, website, music or anything that you would like us to check out, let us know at reviews@youthunlimited.org youthunlimited.org | 9

Serve 2014 ISAIAH 58

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The Serve Projects The Chicago Project: The Chicago Project is a great extension of the ministry that our Trinity Christian College students do throughout the school year and helps us expand the incarnational ministry God has called us to. We’re not just about higher education. We’re about the Father’s business, as Christ called us to be, in our community.

Campus: Trinity Christian College has a wonderful campus and many local ministry relationships. Participants will stay on campus and sleep in air conditioned residence halls. Each four-person suite has its own bathroom and shower. Buffetstyle meals will be served out of the college’s dining hall, and students will worship together each day in the Ozinga Chapel.

Site description: Just 30 minutes from the center of the Windy City, Palos Heights offers a beautiful suburban location for the campus of Trinity Christian College. Chicago is wellknown for its sports teams and shopping, but lesser known areas continue to struggle from the effects of poverty. During the school year, Trinity’s students have opportunities to serve in the city as well as in the local communities. Dedicated volunteers address the needs of others, and they share the love of Christ whether they are handing out lunches to the homeless on Chicago’s streets or tutoring children through after-school programs. Whether working in the city with Roseland Christian Ministries to help tutor kids or in the suburbs with Restoration Ministries to help restore people broken by drug and alcohol addiction, Trinity is committed to shaping lives and transforming culture. Your group can join year-round partnerships and help with various service opportunities including tutoring, cleanup, light construction and many urban and suburban ministries around Chicago.

After The Chicago Project your group can opt to catch a Cubs or Sox game, visit the famous Brookfield Zoo, take in a museum or shop the Magnificent Mile. There is no shortage of things to do in Chicago.

The Prairie Project: The Prairie Project is a four-day Serve Project in which young people from all over the United States and Canada will converge on the campus of Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa to immerse themselves in the issues facing rural America.

Why: The poverty rate in rural areas is 3% higher than in urban areas. The depth and severity of poverty is more pronounced and more entrenched in rural areas. 340 out of 386 “persistent poverty counties” in the U.S. are located in non-metro areas.1 The resources needed to address rural poverty - education, health care, transportation, mental health, and community support - are lacking. There is insufficient attention and awareness given to the serious issues facing rural North America. We want to help young people become aware of the problems and issues facing the rural poor, provide an opportunity for them to encounter the beauty and diversity of rural US, to partner with local churches and organizations to help meet the needs of those struggling to make ends meet in rural America and to encounter the presence and power of God’s Spirit as we encounter our neighbor in love and grace.

“At the core of Dordt College’s worldview is the belief that all of creation is the Lord’s in Jesus Christ. “In the beginning God created . . . and it was good”; it is this created “goodness” that makes the saving work of Jesus Christ “good news.” God is not interested in just saving souls; God is at work in Jesus Christ transforming this world into the “new creation” of the Kingdom of God. It is this good news that pushes us out into the world, to enter into the lives of others, bearing witness to the hope of the new creation. The Prairie Project flows out of this belief in God’s love and saving grace for all of creation, providing an opportunity for Dordt College to partner with local churches as we love our neighbor and testify to God’s action in the world making all things new.” ~Jason Lief

1) http://1.usa.gov/18i8Xwa

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Serve at

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Serve Sites

Custom Serve

Serve Sites are one week mission experiences hosted by local churches throughout the United States and Canada. Churches (Host Churches) request to host 40 - 100 students to help with their community outreach and revitalization. The students and youth leaders come from four or more churches (Sending Churches) with a usual maximum group size of 15 participants. Groups larger than 15 must register for two or more Serve Sites.

This is because Serve Sites are meant to provide students with an experience of fellowship and unity with the larger body of Christ. Relationships at Serve Sites deepen fast since the participants are put into random work teams, which also function as the studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; small groups throughout the week.

You can work with Youth Unlimited to build your own Serve experience. This is a great option if you are looking to mobilize a large group (typically 35-50 people), if you want to plan a multigenerational trip or if you desire to focus an experience on building your own group dynamic.

Youth Unlimited provides a high quality host site and team, theme material, Adult Leader resources, secondary insurance and much more. We also facilitate the discussions and decision making processes to help determine exacts dates and options which can include who is choosing the worship leader, the speaker and the day away.

Costs for these customizable trips are adjusted accordingly.

a Glance

Follow the QR bellow for more information on the full list of Serve FAQS:

Serve Projects

The Serve Experience

Serve Projects last for five days and are hosted at a Christian college. These colleges can host upwards of 250 students at a time in order to build on their year-round community outreach efforts. During a Serve Project, youth groups stay together the entire time and are led by adults from their own church. There is no limit on how many students a group can bring.

Serve Projects are meant to provide an atmosphere of high energy and service opportunity in which youth groups can grow unity with each other and connect relationally with their own leaders, while also having plenty of opportunity to interact with people from other churches. The Chicago Project is back for 2014, along with a new location— The Prairie Project!

Participating in Serve, whether at a typical Site, Project, or Custom Site, will introduce your students to the concepts of justice and missional living. At any Serve experience you and your students will be introduced and involved in one or more of the following types of service work: •

Community Revitalization

•

Compassion for the Marginalized

•

Creation Care

•

Recreational Ministry for Children

•

Acts of Kindness

What does a Serve day look like?

7:00 AM – Breakfast/Prepare Lunches | 8:00 AM – Devotions | 8:45 AM – Leave for Worksites 4:00 PM – Showers/Free Time | 6:00 PM – Dinner | 7:30 PM – Evening Session 9:00 PM – Small Group Discussion | 10:00 PM – Snack and Free Time | 11:00 PM – Lights Out youthunlimited.org | 13

Serve 2014 Still looking for a meaningful experience to take your students on this summer?

We still have room in Serve!

VISIT YOUTHUNLIMITED.ORG/SERVE TODAY TO LEARN WHAT OPTIONS ARE STILL AVAILABLE FOR YOUR GROUP.

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True Religion – More than Justice ADAPTED FROM SESSION 3 OF THE 2014 THEME MATERIAL

BY JERRY & MICHELLE MEADOWS

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e all love a story in which the dark and ugly turns glorious and good. A story where a creature so hideous no one dared look on it turns into a handsome prince, the cowardly lion takes courage and protects others, Cinderella rises from the mop bucket to become queen and rule kindly, Pinocchio turns into a real boy, Scrooge becomes generous … they become everything they never thought they could be – transformed.

As humans we love stories of transformation where a person is not just improved but made new. The story of mankind that God is writing does not end with justice but with transformation.

Micah 6:8 was written to people in need of transformation. Though the book’s tone is one of judgment, the theme of restoration cannot be missed.

The God of all creation sees and cares about the most vulnerable and weak. He cares enough to warn his own people that they are also vulnerable and weak.

He urges them and we are urged to be humble, to love mercy and to be just.

That is, in fact, required by God. Maybe the simplest way to increase humility and mercy is to intentionally grow in justice. While only God can transform he has clearly stated what he requires from us. Justice is:

• Straight Forward

In Isaiah 1 and Micah 5 there are basic commands: stop doing bad and selfish things and do good. Take care of the weak, lift up the poor, free the oppressed and feed the hungry.

• A Way of Life

God wants justice – not in fits and starts or here and there. God wants justice to permeate, penetrate and restore people. He wants justice to refresh the weary, to ease the thirst of the downtrodden. God wants justice to wash away injustice. He wants it to soak in and nourish our relationship with one another. Like a never-ending river, God wants justice to flow day and night.

• Us, Not “Us and Them”

Unfortunately, we often take on a rescuers mentality, but the people we serve are able to teach us much about life and they bear the image of Almighty God. They are to be valued and their skills, gifts and abilities understood to better the community.

Scan to watch a video about dignity from Experience Mission.

Dignity is about value, and we all want to be valued. vimeo.com/25101770.

• Using the chainsaw first and then, maybe, the tweezers.

We have to confront the beam in our own eye (Luke 6:42). Jesus’ admonition has an almost instant humbling effect reminding us we are in need of transformation.

Our culture of consumerism and greed set us up as “haves and have-nots”.

This attitude must not be transferred into our pursuit of a just life. In fact, justice in not what we eagerly await but transformation by God’s grace and Christ’s work. The gospel brings us the opportunity, desire and power to adhere to God’s requirements of humility, mercy and just living.

As mortals we are, by God’s grace and through the work of Christ, being moved from darkness into his light. He is causing us to take courage and teaching us to rule kindly in his kingdom.

Part of us must love those stories of transformation and truly find fulfillment in helping others because we long to see God’s complete work in our own lives and world.

For real life stories of how the Gospel is transforming lives around the world be sure to check out World Renew’s website at worldrenew.net.

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THE SERVE TRIFECTA

BY JOE HAMILTON

TIREDNESS YOUNG ADULTS AS A SOLUTION

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y goal, as a pastor to my congregation, is not to reinvent the wheel, but rather to inspire and equip new leadership, to facilitate conversations between young and old, and to help them see Christ’s presence here in my congregation and the surounding city.

As I had conversations, I began to hear a theme of “tiredness” more and more frequently from our Old Guard. For many years, they’ve been shouldering the tasks and workloads of many different church functions - among them, hosting Serve. Their passion is still just as vibrant as it was years ago, but their energy is not.

At the same time of these conversations, I had my ear bent to the voices of our young people, a dormant demographic in many churches. As I heard the stories of highlights from their upbringing in the church, it became clear to me that Serve is one of the ministries that shaped their faith and commitment to Christ’s church.

These two threads of conversation have, I think, for many years been

16 |SPRING 2014

running parallel to each other. Most recently, the two threads collided at our classis meeting. One of the members from previous Host Teams here in Thunder Bay expressed a desire to see us host Serve once more and wondered what I thought about it.

I responded with, “Let’s ask the Young Adults, because I’m already striving to build them up as leaders in the church and they have already expressed interest in hosting Serve in the future.”

Upon asking the Young Adult’s, they responded with, “Yes! We’re happy to do the work!” and then there was an explosion of ideas.

The Old Guard expressed that they would love to support this new Host Team in their endevors.

As Thunder Bay prepares to host Serve 2014 this coming July, we do so seeing Christ bringing these two threads of people together to help equip a new generation of leaders in His church.

Praise be to God!

Because Youth Unlimited specializes in assisting churches in faith-forming youth experiences, the outline for impacting students has been well documented. The environment at Serve is set to help students worship authentically, study the Bible thoroughly, develop deeper relationships with God-honoring adults, explore their own strengths/ interests, view a world in need of God’s grace and serve while learning.

The environment for the Host Church is to advance their prayer efforts for the community, multiply leaders within the congregation, deepen relationships with non-profit organizations & the local government, and build the reputation of the church and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The environment is set in the community for people to see the Church the way Christ intended it to be: outside the building, being doers of the Word and not hearers only, learning and not condescending and serving while caring.

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TE S TI M O N IE S

A

ll Youth Unlimited experiences are intentionally planned for students.

These testimonies reflect what your own youth group and students can experience. These are real people on a spiritual journey with Christ at various levels of their faith and with very different needs. Some see the whole picture of serving and the impact of the gospel transforming communities and the world. Others, by the grace of God, are seeing their own needs and how Christ meets those concerns.

It’s kind of exciting that you get the chance to go away for a week and serve other people without being paid. And that comes from your heart, which makes you feel happy inside . . . I got the chance to open up more to other people and I got the chance to talk more to God and pray more often than I used to before.

– Jeremy, Student Serve builds relationships, absolutely, between leaders and youth and you take that forward for years.

– Mike, Adult Leader

I just go because every year I love it.

You get to meet new people and you get to focus for one whole week on serving God and his plan for your life, and then you get to grow closer to your own youth group, too.

– Susan, Student Before we know it our week (of missions) is over. Coming home can be a bit disillusioning. We have just had a wonderful faith-forming, relationshipbuilding experience and are left wondering, “Now what?” How do we bring what we have seen and learned back home with us?”

After wrestling with these hard questions, our youth group seized this valuable experience by engaging in service opportunities in our own backyard. We are partners with families and individuals of different ethnicities, abilities and a variety of backgrounds including imprisonment, addictions and the effects of age. Through this we are seeing generosity, hospitality, openness, deep faith and wisdom.

– Emily, Adult Leader

Our Serve model varies from the norm and the Youth Unlimited office spent extensive time understanding the ministry we run every week of the year and making sure the teams that came to us were prepared. It would not have worked for us to run a traditional Serve model so Youth Unlimited created a new model and changed the expectation of the Sending Churches to meet our needs.

– Host Team Coordinator and Pastor Students have the opportunity to give back. No matter how small the gift. No matter how big the gift. You can give your money, your time or your talent to a place. It’s a sense of being able to help.

I think that’s something a lot of young people don’t understand but if you catch them while they’re young, and there are also adults around to model it for them, the cycle will continue.

– Chejuana, Serve Worksite Recipient To view video testimonies of some of those recently involved in a Youth Unlimited faith-forming experience, be sure to log onto youthunlimited.org.

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YOUTHUNLIMITED FAITHFORLIFE STUDENTS WORSHIP GOD WITH PURPOSE

STUDENTS DIG DEEPER INTO GOD’S WORD

STUDENTS ENTER INTO A CLOSER RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS

STUDENTS SEE A BROKEN WORLD IN NEED OF GOD

STUDENTS SERVE COMMUNITIES ACROSS NORTH AMERICA

STUDENTS USE THEIR TALENTS FOR THE GLORY OF GOD

STUDENTS BUILD INTERGENERATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

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Youth Unlimited offers a Digital Resource Box for your Serve experience. Our hope is that it will be like having a friend come alongside you to offer assistance as you prepare for your faith-forming experience. There are four, easy-to-use categories with downloads that will make planning your summer experience even better: Promotions, Registration, Leader Helps and Pre- and Post-Trip Resources and more! scan.me/5jtvnx

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The single most important thing that can happen in a student’s life is that they form a lifelong relationship and commitment to Jesus Christ.

After decades of doing youth ministry alongside churches, we know that mission trips and conventions are often where students discover God’s love for them.

We set our prices for Serve experiences approximately $100 lower per participant than what is actually needed, accepting the responsibility of raising over $200,000 each year. In doing so, 1,450 students were able to take part in Serve in 2013, giving 41,874 hours of service.

With your monetary donation, more students will have the opportunity to participate in a Serve experience. Every dollar we receive goes toward impacting students with the message of Jesus Christ.

One student sent us a thank you letter last summer that really hit home with why we do what we do.

“Thank you for not losing hope in our generation” –she said.

That gets to the heart of why we do what we do, and why we need your help to do it.

Thank you on behalf of every student you have invested in over the years. God is using you to mold students into who he created them to be.

Please take this opportunity today to give a gift that will help to further the efforts of our ministry partnership.

S CAN T O D O NAT E TO DAY ! scan.me/xgw26h

TO FOLLOW US AND SEE WHAT YOUR DONATION IS DOING AT YOUTH UNLIMITED, BE SURE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR E-NEWSLETTER at youthunlimited.org

give a gift today. change a student's life forever

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Youth Unlimited PO Box 1100 Norwich, ON, Canada N0J 1P0

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YOUTHUNLIMITED.ORG helping churches challenge youth to commit their lives to jesus christ and transform the world for him >>> FACES OF YOUTH UNLIMITED| REMEMBERING “BIG JAKE” | MORE THAN JUSTICE <<<

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YOUTHUNLIMITED MAGAZINE SPRING 2014