Psalm 20:4-5 “May he give you the desires of your heart and make all your plans succeed. We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests.”
One problem that I have whenever I attend a youth ministry conference is Youth Ministry Guilt. This is a condition that comes about when people who are smarter than you question what you are doing and how you are doing it. Or they point out the NEW way of doing ministry which is really the OLD way of doing ministry. All I know is that I often feel like MY way of doing ministry is wrong.
The prevailing thought from many of the speakers is that numbers is getting to much attention and discipleship is getting the shaft. On that note I totally agree. However, I am not ready to throw the pizza out with the light machine just yet. After months of praying and weeks of fasting I believe that God gave me the vision called “HALF”. This vision was not to bring attention to our numbers rather more to spread our tent of influence throughout our community. I want God to be Glorified throughout Moncks Corner.
We are year 2 into our 5 year campaign and all goals have been met. That leads me to the purpose of this blog. The cure for youth ministry guilt is to point out that this is not about me, my numbers or my plan. this is about giving Glory to God. So, if you will allow me to share with you some victories.
- Every year for the last 3 years we have doubled. 2006 = 50, 2007 = 100, 2008 = 250
- We had a young lady at Breakaway thought she was pregnant and considering suicide and now is on fire for God and meeting regularly with one of our leaders.
- I meet with 2 young men every week that very well may be future pastors, they are hungry for God and his Word.
- We have a presence on 2 of the campuses every week. ACTS at St Johns and Teen Extreme at Berkeley Middle
- Students are engaging in worship more and more every week.
- Our student ministry was able to provide hope and comfort to 4 tragedy stricken families
- We have students serving in the tech team, worship team, children s ministry, nursery and service teams.
- We took up over $150 for a family whose home burned down
- We took up over 150 care kits for the homeless
- We collected over 10 bags of groceries for Salvation Army
- We take up a monthly offering to support an internet radio station ministry called radiofree.cc
- We have baptized over 50 students this year
All of these are Victories that belong to Jesus. We lift up the banners in the name of Jesus. We have a long way to go but I believe that we are on the right track. Thank you God for allowing me to be a part of your work.
Sean Rheaume 