The National Youth Department in the United Kingdom celebrated 50 years of ministry at a convention in May with the theme, “The Year of Jubilee.” The sold out event had representation from all the former national youth directors in the U.K., young people from across the denominational spectrum and delegates who attended the very first convention in 1963. A musical, dance, drama and media production entitled, “We’ve come this far by faith”, brought to life the rich and fascinating heritage of the church on the Friday evening of the event.
[1]The convention included the ministry of the children’s, mass and reunion choirs, as well as the insightful and anointed preaching of Rev. Joel Edwards and Nerissa Dubidad. To mark and document 50 continuous years of National Youth Conventions, the department launched an interactive timeline DVD-ROM set which features video interviews from past national youth directors, 42 of the 50 past Youth & C.E. Convention programs in PDF format, photographs from yesteryear, articles and much more.
For details and to obtain copies of the Golden Jubilee Resources please visit www.going4gold.org.uk [2].
The Beginnings of the National Youth Department in the United Kingdom
The founders of the New Testament Church of God in England and Wales placed strong emphasis on active youth ministry from its outset. It appointed Rev. Jeremiah McIntyre as the national director of the Young People’s Endeavour (YPE) cc 1960, while Rev. Enos Gordon served as the national director of the Sunday School until 1961. These two departments were merged in 1961 to form the National Department of Youth and Christian Education.
National (State) Youth and Christian Education Directors
Rev. Selwyn E. Arnold: Jul 1960 – 1966 During this period he also served as the National Secretary
Rev. Winston A. Bucknor: 1966 – 1970 He also served as the National Secretary until 1972
Rev. Ira V. Brooks: 1970 – 1975
Rev. Rudolph H. Parkinson: 1975 – 1983
Rev. Eric A. Brown: 1983 – 1991
Rev. Derek A. Webley: 1991 – 1997
Rev. Carver L. Anderson : 1997 – 2003
Rev. Ruben S. King: 2004 – Present
To prepare for the inaugural National Youth and C.E. Convention, in his letter to the officers and members of the Y.P.E., and Sunday School,” dated 6th February 1963, Rev. Selwyn Arnold’s request was to, “Put your whole heart in this effort. Plan with us. Work and pray earnestly with us. We would like to see great spiritual results at the end of this convention. Do not think that you are just coming to greet each other, but we want young people to come prepared to meet God, and meet the conditions.”
“It is our earnest prayer that ministers, evangelists, missionaries, and consecrated workers be selected from among you by God for the carrying on of the work here in England. Our vision is too limited; we want to see beyond the four walls of our church. We want to see the nation as a whole, with its youths dying for the want of Christ.”
And so the first Youth Convention took place Easter 1963, in a Coventry school hall from Saturday 13th to Monday 15th April, during which an offering of £114.00 was raised to start the first Bible school (Ebenezer Bible Institute – EBI) that opened on 9th November 1963 with five day students and six part-time evening students. It was the first Bible school in the UK to serve West Indians that was not initiated by foreign missionaries.
Without a doubt, Youth Ministry has aided Christian spiritual development in the UK. The current National Youth Director, Rev. Ruben S. King told Faith News Network,
“Across the span of five decades the youth department has positively affected the lives of children, youth, young people and leaders through Sunday School, FTH (Family Training Hour), training and education events, retreats, camps, choirs, talent competitions, overseas exchange visits, evangelism and outreach, sport and other mediums. It has been a conduit for spiritual renewal and revival, challenge, equipping, sighting vocation and calling, affirming identity and the formation of life-long friendships. Youth ministry remains absolutely essential and vital for the future success of the church. Try counting the number of our present local, district and national leaders who began serving youth and you will be pleasantly signposted to a department that has and will continue to nurture seedling ministries, that God, the expert gardener transplants in due season.”
(References: From Skepticism to Hope by Rev. Dr. Selwyn E. Arnold Sr., Xulon Press, 2010, page 33; NTCG National Youth & CE Department – Silver Jubilee Convention Brochure 1988, pages 4, 5, 8, 10, 12; Telling the Story by David Michel, Pathway Press, 2000, page 60.)