Advice to Youth Leaders!

Have you ever struggled to understand what young kids do and think about. Do you wonder why it is so difficult to understand them? I have some advice to give regarding these questions.  

The youth of this world are making decisions that will affect them for the rest of their lives.  Who do young adults turn to when they need help in choosing a life decision? They turn to the individual who are much older and have more experiences.  The most effective way to gain trust from a youth individual is to build a relationship.  You won’t build any type of relationship just through teaching, but it is after the class to where you engage that person on a one to one bases. 

The truth is that God loves us for who we are, but not for what we do.  “Let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18).  This verse is a perfect example of how individuals not as experienced in life need to see love and faith in their elders to understand it in depth.  These kids range from anywhere from 6 grade to 12^th grade.  We need to live in their world and by doing this we show them that they are loved.  We show interest in things they like to do.  It is not just a once a week I’ll see you at youth group for an hour.  By going to some of their sporting events, etc… We prove to them that this is much more and that we care. 

This generation is all about change and technology.  Our youth ministries need to stay in tune with the new culture adaption.  We need to be on top of social media and new devices that arise because it is key to have these types of tools in the youth room. 

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There is a tremendous amount of hurt and brokenness in today’s world. As a leader in we need to not only hide our feelings in front of these kids, but to be positive and show them that there is much better out there than what they think.  These kids have talents and gifts that we need to help reveal to them.  Everyone can use a helping hand in this world regardless if they want it or not. 

 No one who is young is never going to be old.   

How to help your Schools through Youth Ministry

Most of us has experienced the craziness of Junior High and High School.  Just like everyday life we have our ups and downs.  I remember some days where I thought I’d never make it, which caused me to make chaotic choices.  The choices we make in our youth sometimes determine the rest of our lives.  It is important to impact the youth with the message of Jesus.  On average, 11 percent of students attend church in the United States. 

Read this additional article to get a better understanding of why kids don't want to go to church.  

Understanding how the youth of this nation think is key to figuring out how to approach them.  Over 95 percent of youth attend school.  That is one of the largest mission fields in America. Why doesn't that 95 percent attend church?  I am not in a high school 5 days a week for 8 hours a day.  The route to take is to start School Ministry out of the 11 percent that attend the church.  Teaching them and giving them the tools to reach that 95 percent. 

These individuals need to pray for their schools daily and have a passion to tell the story of Jesus to share the story of how their life has changed.  Not everyone will listen, but the ones that do could be the individual that could change the world.  Pastors, leaders, and volunteers will never be able to reach the youth like our students can. 

Youth leaders should already be passionate about reaching this generation and struggle to find ways to spread the love and peace in the schools that are one mile down the street.  This is the way to go and the quickest route to take.  It is important to understand that it won’t happen overnight, but it is a starting point and will be rewarding in the end. 

"Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity."  - 1 Timothy 4:12

Young people need models, not critics.

The Burn Event

 Burn  – Believe, Unite, Run the Race, Never Give Up!

The Burn Event was born in 2011 when a local youth ministry advertised a corporate night of worship in Southeastern Michigan.  What we thought would be a few groups joining together turned into over 1,000 students, young adults and leaders from across the area.

The passion in the room was tangible, and everyone knew God was doing something amazing.

Now, 3 years later we are at the beginning of a movement that is marking a generation.  In every city, young people who were captive to alcohol, sex, drugs, or depression are finding purpose, freedom, and the love of God. We know this is a critical time for the church to restore broken youth who are searching for answers.

We invite you, your church, your school, your family, and your friends to join us for a night of awakening.  We are leading a generation out of darkness into light, from blindness to vision, by giving them an opportunity to authentically experience God.
It can't be explained only experienced.
Join us and leave changed.

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