At Chilhowie UMC, we believe that our youth are
the key to our future. We believe that the Good News of Jesus Christ must
be made available to them in culturally relevant ways. Young Life counselors
meet the youth of our community on their own turf, make friendships with
them and share with them the Good News.
Kids
are questioning what they believe about God--or whether they believe anything
at all. Young Life leaders are there during this time, sharing with kids,
that the most exciting person ever to have walked the face of the earth
is Christ. Young Life leaders teach kids that Jesus didn't just live and
die for them, but that He still lives today, offering His unending love,
acceptance, forgiveness and friendship. He called it "abundant life", or
"life to the full." It's a great message of hope for this troubled world...Young
Life is committed to delivering it to more and more kids.
Significant
relationships with adults are hard to find for many adolescents.
Young Life seeks to build those relationships through Contact work--the
heart of Young Life iministry. Simply put, contact work is being there
for the kids: going where they go, getting involved in their activities,
taking an interest in them, just like Jesus did 2000 years ago with people
who were searching. Each year, Young Life leaders spend more than 2 million
hours in direct ministry with kids at ball games, in parks, at fast-food
restaurants and at the local mall--building relationships and modeling
God's unconditional love. What a terrific demonstration of compassion for
a hurting and searching generation..Young Life leaders win the right to
be heard by proving they care about the kids they meet.
Kids
are trying desparately to fit in, to belong, to be accepted by the group.
Each week, all around the world, thousands of kids gather in homes and
other locations to sing, laugh and hear a message about the One who loves
them more than they could be loved by anyone else in the world. Club is
a safe and fun place for kids to feel a part of the group and to begin
exploring God and His plan for their lives. For many kids, this is the
beginning of their spiriutal journey...Young Life leaders will be there
every step of the way.
Memories
are forged and lifelong decisions are made. At Young Life Camp, kids are
given the opportunity to get away from their ususal surroundings, experience
the natural beauty of the camp setting and participate in new and exciting
activities. In the past 50 years, thousands of kids have made decisions
to give their lives to Christ at one of the 12 Young Life national outreach
camps in North America. Young Life camping programs are so effective because
of the way they blend adventure and spiritual lessons in a fun, relaxed
environment filled with love. It's no wonder so many campers have said
this was the best week of their lives...Young Life is comitted to providing
this quality, life-changing camp experience to as many kids as possible.
Kids are
learning and growing. Campaigners is a small group of kids meeting with
Young Life leaders to learn about God's plan for their lives. Through studying
the Bible, asking questions, discussing challenges and learning to pray,
kids gain confidence in their new walk with Christ. It's a safe setting
for young Christians to better understand their relationship with God,
and for seekers to get more information. Young Life leaders are dedicated
to helping kids grow in their new found faith.
Communities
can reach out to kids and also recieve benefit of their excitement and
enthusiasm. Young Life beleives involvement in the local Church is essential
to the growth of all Christians. The ministry firmly supports pastors and
youth workers who have invested their lives in adolescents. Most of the
time, the kids Young Life leaders try to reach are those who may never
set foot in a church. Once those kids have decicded to follow Christ, leaders
encourage them to get involved in a local church. How important is it to
get kids in touch with a caring group of adults who can share their lives
and love for God...Young Life is committed to this partnership with local
churches.
Adults
can get involved and make a difference. That's exactly what adults are
doing in hundreds of communiteis by serving on a Young Life Committee.
The committee is critical to the success of the local ministry. Committee
members provide encouragement, support and ideas to help the local Young
Life staff and volunteers. They also assist with fund raising efforts to
keep leaders attention where it belongs--on building relationships with
kids. What a great idea--community members coming alongside Young Life
leaders to build an effective ministyr...Young Life is grateful for the
suport of local community members.
Al
Murphy, Chilhowie High School Young Life Counselor
It is amazing how many high school students I have gotten
to know since last spring, when I went to Chilhowie High School for the
first time.
Around school, most of my time has been spent on athletic
practices, games, and student-council events. Coach Smarr and Pam Hill
have especially gone out of their way to befriend me and help me to connect
with kids. I am willing to go wherever kids hang out, putting the time
in to prove that I care. Some of the best times have been playing basketball
with some Chilhowie guys on Saturday mornings.
This past summer, some of the kids I've been reaching
out to went with me to Young Life Summer Camp at Rockbridge, located outside
Lexington, VA. Young Life Camp is an awesome place for kids and leaders
to spend time together doing cool things like the ropes course and mountain
bikes. The best part, however, is the gospel presentation and the chance
to talk about Christ with high school friends, whether it's individually
or in groups. Being with kids in that setting and watching them commit
their lives to Christ is such a thrill. When we returned home from Rockbridge,
all the CHS kids could says was, "When can we go back!"
As you can see, God has blessed the ministry and the
excitement is building. Please pray for another leader to help me get weekly
club meetings started and for an enthusiasitc response to camp sign ups
(June 15-21, at Rockbridge)
Since 1941, thousands of high school kids across the
nation have been impacted by a Young Life leader who took the time to share
with them the love of Jesus Christ and the purpose found in Him. Under
the direction of the local Young Life committee, leader Al Murphy is already
making a difference in the lives of Chilhowie High School kids--many who
are not yet reached by our local churches. Many peole in Chilhowie have
expressed a sincere interest in the Young Life ministry here and are praying
for a stronger adult foundation to undergird the ministry. There are varying
degrees of volunteer work that an adult can offer to the Young Life Ministry.
Friend of Young Life -- Supports Young Life by
informing others of the ministry, attends meetings when possible and is
willing to have their name listed as a supporter of Young Life.
Young Life Committee Member--Attends monthly meetings
10 months per year (no meetings are scheduled in July and December) ...approximately
20 hours per year. Offers prayers, fellowship and counsel to leaders and
volunteers with exciting reports about what God is doing through the ministry.
Young Life Adult Volunteer Staff--Actively works
with youth in meetings, after school and in Bible studies..a minimum of
6-8 hours per week.
If you want to be a part of the Young Life Ministry, or if
you want to learn more about this exciting ministry, please come to our
monthly meetings on the second Tuesday of each month in the Gathering Room
(on Old Main Street) at 7:00 p.m.
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