Anyone who knows me, knows have said "I never want to get into Youth ministry" Its tiresome, and me and kids don't mix well. Anyways, Our small church of 50 finally had enough youth to begin a youth group. It was quite a feat for our small church, and we had a guy who was willing to start it up and run it. He stayed on for a few months, until he moved to a bigger church to serve. Leaving our hungry youth with no leader.
Our youth, are not an easy bunch. They come from a tough area, and needless to say, its difficult to find leaders for Sunday school, no body wants to do it. So now being faced with trying to find a leader for Wednesdays, we were at a point where we were probably going to have to shut the Youth group down. They are good kids, just very difficult, loud, rambunctious, and tiring.
Anyways, as I was driving home. I began praying. "God send someone with a heart for these kids." I began praying and I couldn't stop, the 45 minute car ride home went really quick, and by the time I got home I had a years worth of lessons, ideas, and vision floating through my head. It was... overwhelming. That's the only way to describe it.
With in a month, I had the summer lined up, the boards approval, and a team of 6 leaders behind me. The first night we had 5 youth, ranging from age 8-16. Last week, we had 13 youth, ranging from age 5-16. Is it the ideal, typical, youth group? Absolutely not, we are about as unconventional as can be, we dance, we throw eggs, we play games, we eat pizza, we go to sporting events, we joke around, and we talk real life. But the kids are engaging with the Bible, they are inviting friends, they are getting into the word, and are excited to come each week. God is becoming real to these kids. I gave away our 7th Bible last week.
It has been exciting, and refreshing to work with the youth. Us leaders get just as much out of it as we put in, which frankly is a LOT. We need a lot of prayer, grace, and ENERGY. But Work is never boring when working with the Youth group.God has given me such a love for these kids, and the leaders I get to work with!
We blew up 400 water balloons and hid them around the church. It was quite a surprise to the kids
Blasting music from the leaders cars and dancing to the CHA CHA SLIDE
Some of the Youth after cracking eggs on the leaders heads
Before they cracked eggs on our head
The leaders. We have just as much fun!!
