| | Youth Club Youth Club meets on Thursdays at 7 p.m. at the East Lake United Methodist Church building. Join us for a time of Bible Study, Discussion, Games, Snacks, Fun and Fellowship with the youth of East Lake. | |
Contact Laini Huffine
youth@newcityeastlake.com
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Youth Ministry Purpose Statement:______________________________________________________________________________
To raise up disciples of Christ, from all ethnicities and backgrounds in East Lake, who become active members in the life of the church, and in transforming their community.
Youth Ministry Goal:
The goal of the Youth Ministry at New City Fellowship East Lake is to bring youth from all backgrounds (different races, economic statuses, schools, family situations, etc.) together to worship and serve as they grow in Christ. We believe youth are seeking something real, authentic, and consistent in their lives. They are longing for answers, purpose, direction, security, and acceptance. The world offers false hope in all these areas, but what they are ultimately looking for and needing is Christ. It is the church's responsibility to meet these spiritual needs of Youth, as well as their physical needs. All Youth have a need to be loved and accepted – the church needs to find a way to meet that need through Christ.
Our Strategy:
We believe the key to reaching Youth is through relationships. They don't want to be preached at or to have more authority figures in their lives telling them what to do. What they long for is someone to come alongside them and walk with them through whatever hurt and mess they may have in their lives. Relationships matter more than programs. Great programs without the relationships will always fail. Youth need truth spoken into their lives and a person earns their trust and the right to be heard through relationships.
Today's youth live in a world where there are no absolutes, no real consequences for sin, where sin is relative and taken lightly. The lie being taught now is that Christianity no longer affects all of life – you can live as you want and still call yourself a Christian. It is becoming harder and harder to distinguish between those that know Christ and those that don't – the way they live their lives is often the same. What is needed is for Youth to take their faith seriously and to realize the life that Christ has called them to. What is needed is a radical Christianity. The teenage years are a critical time in the life of a person and the decisions they make now could affect their lives forever. Being a follower of Christ is not something to take lightly.
It is our belief that the more opportunities that the church gives Youth to experience Christ, the better. Everyone doesn't have to be involved in everything, but there should be something that reaches each individual. Having multiple avenues in which to reach a person will give a higher likelihood that they will actually be reached with the gospel. The Youth of East Lake in particular need ways to keep themselves busy with “good” things, so the more things that are going on during the week that they have to be involved in, the less chance of them getting involved in things that could harm them. It is beneficial to partner with other existing ministries so that it is not “us” doing everything. Take advantage of what is already in place instead of recreating what is already there. Student leadership is also key in building a successful youth ministry. Leaders need to be identified within the group and then used to help direct the ministry. This not only gives the Youth a voice, but it also gives them purpose and ownership. It helps them to feel important and needed.
Lord willing, through reaching Youth we will reach their families as well. This is part of our goal – to see entire families transformed by the power of the gospel. The Youth are the future leaders of our church and we can begin to build that leadership in them now. Only through the power of the gospel will broken homes be restored, communities transformed, and lives changed. And God can use the Youth to begin this revolution.