As we’ve shared several times over the past couple weeks we are going to be adjusting the way that we conduct youth ministry at ACTS. We’ve shared that there will now be two seperate groups dividing up the Junior High (grades 6-8) from the Senior High (grades 9-12), but I just wanted to share the reason behind this move and what it will mean for everyone involved with this ministry.
For the past 3 years our youth ministry has meet as one large group every other week during the sunday morning service for a bible study called Vertical Realm. The reason we’ve meet in this manner was for several reasons, one simply being that we didn’t have enough people to do seperate groups. The grace of the Lord was upon us to do this with productive results, but as we continually are seeking direction from the Lord it began to become evident that we were being called to seperate the age groups. This was confirmed by the addition of Bruce and Ruthie as Pastor and their desire to have youth (especially older youth) up and involved in the service every week. This was followed by several parents also feeling as though the Lord was leading in this way. So we began a process of asking the Lord, “Ok, but what about the required help to make this happen?” Although we’re still in need of men and women with a heart for youth ministry and a desire to help, enough help has come to where we feel as though this is a big enough need, we need to be obedient!
So here is what is going to be happening. Without taking it upon myself to speak for Bruce, I will share that he came to Pa. with a vision to start a bible study intended to train and equip youth and young adults to walk in the Spirit of God. This seemed to us to fit the current need in ACTS to develop a Senior high bible study, leaving an equally good oppertunity to develop a bible study more constructed to meet the Junior High aged need. The Senior High group will begin to meet Sat. nights at the Lengenman residence. The bible study will not be limited to ACTS youth, in fact we will strongly encourage friends, relatives, and strangers of this age group to be invited. We will have youth lead worship followed by a time of teaching/training/equiping on how to walk and live in a place where we’re obedient to and conscience of the Spirit of God. For those from ACTS who do not live in the Lengenman residence we will meet at church at 6:00 p.m. and ride over together.
As for the Junior High group not much will change as far as logistic’s go. We will continue to meet every other Sunday during service just as we have been. The only difference will be that the bible study will be planned completely on them.
As far as Events go, we will plan on doing most of them as one large group. However exception to this may occur. If anyone has any questions or things they feel like God may be speaking on behalf of this idea or any other idea please feel free to contact me.
