This Sunday is youth Sunday. It is one of my favorite Sundays because I get the privilege to showcase our amazing youth. I absolutely love working with these “Gen Z” kids. They are the future! My goal in working with them is really five fold:
My first and probably the most important is Spiritual Growth. I want our youth to understand how much God loves them (even when mistakes are made). I want them to understand Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice. I want them to be prepared for the spiritual warfare that is facing them in the world each day.
The second goal of the youth ministry is Fellowship. The goal is a safe place where the youth can hang out, break bread together, go on retreats/lock-ins, talk, tell stories, go on adventures, ask questions and so much more. My hope is lifelong friendships are made here.
Thirdly, the goal is to instill Service/Missions/Outreach as core value for them. To help them be the hands and feet of Christ at their school, in the community and in the world as they head out into it in a few short years.
Fourth, I hope to give them Leadership skills for tomorrow. This is why Youth Sunday is so important. It gives each one a chance to take on a part of the service, to lead the congregation in song and prayer and to support each other throughout the service.
And finally, the goal of our youth group is to have Fun and to Love. We laugh, we “pick on”, we support, and we love each other. We are making memories together. We’ve had adventures to Camp Glisson, to Carlton Farms, to Dan Casey’s farm, to Etowah Animal shelter, to the Red Door food Pantry.
One of my favorite verses for youth is 1 Timothy 4:12 which says, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” You are a part of molding each of these youth. Your support, your kind words, your help shows them how much they mean to you and to Trinity.
Join us Sunday as William Moisses, a 9th grader at Woodland Highschool brings this week message “Learning to Follow God in Difficult Times” using the scripture, Isaiah 40:27-31. He will be speaking at both services.
We will also have the Trinity Singers singing and will honor the Veterans that morning, It is going to be an amazing day! Come show your support of the very talented and youth!
Leslie Stowe, Youth and Children’s Director