Working with youth is a challenging yet rewarding calling. By Ceeja Malmkar, Pastor Surrey Hills, Oklahoma, U.S. When asked what my best practices for working with youth are — the most important thing is actually practicing what we preach and being intentional on engaging these age groups as churches. If we aren’t keeping young people … Continue reading "Building Bridges" Read the article
Hosting a neighborhood camp is a powerful way for churches to embody and share the love of Christ with their neighbors. These camps create opportunities for children and families to experience the joy of community, engage with the gospel in tangible ways, and build lasting relationships. Whether your church is looking to start a new … Continue reading "Neighborhood Camp Curriculums" Read the article
Foster friendships and create spaces for fun with our adolescence and young adults. By Eliana Navarro, Youth Leader, Bogotá, Cundinamarca, Colombia Pre-adolescence and adolescence are crucial stages for healthy and conscious human development. During this time, most young people question everything and have an insatiable thirst for justice and freedom of expression. Their parents cease … Continue reading "Three Pillars of Youth Ministry" Read the article
Check out the following curricula for children that follow the lectionary. These are fun resources that can help parents and teachers connect to children in meaningful ways. Sermons 4 Kids (free RCL synced resource) Spark House curricula (various options, including ones synced with the Revised Common Lectionary) Ministry to Children (with lessons synced with the Revised Common Lectionary) … Continue reading "Curricula for Children" Read the article
May hope allow us to dream. By Dishon Mills, Pastor, Steele Creek, North Carolina, U.S. In my office, in front of my desk, there is a fig tree sapling. With my mother’s blessing, I took it from the base of the fig tree in her backyard. I carefully dug it up and wrapped its roots … Continue reading "Pastor Dishon’s Farewell—A Little Green Bud" Read the article
Helping young people see God’s blessings cultivates a joy that goes beyond words. By Dishon Mills, Pastor, Steele Creek, North Carolina, U.S. In the U.S., we will be celebrating Thanksgiving at the end of this month, so I would like to tell a story that brings together our worship of God and food. I spent … Continue reading "The Mac ‘N’ Cheese God" Read the article
Every young person in church should know that every person in church loves them. By Dishon Mills, Pastor, Steele Creek, NC Recently, I was blessed to have an amazing conversation with one of our youngest members. For those who do not know, three-year-olds are amazing conversationalists. When they speak, there are no agreed upon topics … Continue reading "Everyone Here Loves You" Read the article
It’s vital to teach our children that we can love those that have a different view of the world. By Dishon Mills, Pastor Steele Creek, NC In high school, I was part of the debate team. Our motto was, “Meet interesting people and yell at them!” My time on the debate team provided me with … Continue reading "Disagreeing Without Disliking" Read the article
A healthy congregation finds ways for the young people to express their personal walk with Christ with their church family. By Dishon Mills, Pastor, Steele Creek, NC We have started a tradition at Grace Communion Steele Creek called Family Sundays. Every fifth Sunday, we have a special service geared towards our younger members — our … Continue reading "In Their Own Voice" Read the article
We don’t always see the fruit of our love and dedication to our young people, but we know it is impactful, and God uses it for his glory. By Dishon Mills, Pastor, Charlotte, NC Before the devastating fire in April of 2019, I was blessed to visit the cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, France. … Continue reading "Building a Notre Dame" Read the article
