St. Mark's Youth Ministry
Lock-in Parent Release Form (Adobe Acrobat Reader Requiered)St. Mark's Youth Ministry exists to equip youth with God's Word, reach out with the love of Jesus, connect Christians, and challenge youth to serve and celebrate God with their lives. |
Why a purpose statement?
We need to know what we are about. Our statement explains that we want to be about discipleship (equip), evangelism (reach), fellowship (connect), ministry (serve) and worship (celebrate)!
Evangelism -- Reach
Every day each of us come in contact with people who need to know Jesus Christ. Their eternal destiny is at stake. Our hope is to guide students who know God to reach out with His love. We can do that in tons of ways - but one way is through our friendships and relationships. Consider inviting a friend to youth group or confirmation - that's reaching, tell someone you're praying for them (& then do it!) - that's reaching, look for opportunities to tell others what you believe. They're missing out in a BIG way if they don't know God!
Discipleship -- Equip
Christians are called to be disciples. A disciple is a follower of Jesus who desires to learn, grow, and be stretched in their relationship with God. We are working on providing tools for young people to use in order to grow in this way. Maybe you're wondering, "If I want to read the Bible, where do I start?" or "How can I get to know God more?" We want to help students with these questions. It is our hope to provide tools that will "EQUIP YOUTH WITH GOD'S WORD."
Connect -- Fellowship
Get your Bible out . . . Check out 1 Thessalonians 2:8. The first Christians knew what fellowship was about. They got together and reminded each other that they were not alone in their faith, they enjoyed being together and had fun, they were honest and shared their highs and the lows with each other, they encouraged one another to follow God and put Him first in their lives and they treasured one another. Christians today need that same stuff. That's why we have small groups. Both in confirmation and high school ministry, we are emphasizing this purpose weekly as students and adults gather together and do all the things that 1 Thessalonians talks about. We desire to "Connect Christians" - that's one of God's dreams for our youth ministry.
Serve -- Ministry
So you're thinking . . . okay, I get it, you don't have to explain it to me . . . but before you assume you've got service all figured out . . . I have a question: "Do you know that you have been entrusted with specific gifts?" That's right. God has given you abilities and gifts that He wants you to use to impact the world for Jesus! Part of our purpose here is to help students DISCOVER what their gifts are and give them opportunities to use them! You might use your gifts by listening to a friend in need, helping repair some ones house, leading people in worship, or doing behind the scenes things to help make someone's day better. Christian teens, like all other Christians, are given the same measure of gifts as any one else, given by God so that others might know Him. Start discovering the gifts that God has entrusted to you . . . and have fun already!
Celebrate -- Worship
Psalm 122:1 and 100:2 go something like this, "I was glad to go to the house of the LORD . . . . Worship the LORD with gladness." Wow, that's my hope: that people are glad to come to church or to their small group and have fun . . . and that we, through any style, worship God with gladness! Students have the opportunity to give God credit and love and attention (that's what worship's about) in everything they do . . . that includes playing on a sports team, singing in the choir or band, spending time talking with God privately. Having a relationship with God is something to celebrate!
St. Mark's Youth Ministry exists to equip youth with God's Word, reach out with the love of Jesus, connect Christians, and challenge youth to serve and celebrate God with their lives. |