Youth and Discipleship Summer Ministry Highlights
For some, summer is a time to slow down, take it easy, and vacation. At Church of God Youth and Discipleship, summer is a wide-open season of ministry, outreach, training, and evangelism. Here are just a few summer ministry highlights:
Lawrenceville students participate in City Vision
City Vision – New York City
According to Phil Harris, Associate Pastor in Lawrenceville, Ga., “City Vision – NYC is a short-term mission trip in New York City designed with students in mind. It was the perfect addition to our summer schedule because our students got to minister, were ministered to, and we all had a lot of fun while doing it.”
Their group spent a couple of days assisting a Church of God congregation in the Bronx as they put on their annual block party. Harris added, “Our group stuffed backpacks, participated in prayer walks, knocked on doors and worked a variety of booths. This church continues to follow up with those we ministered to long after we have left.”
Students from eight different churches conducted chapel services at the Bowery Mission, (est. 1879) sang their hearts out to 75+ homeless men, and shared their testimony where giants of the faith like Billy Graham had preached. Immediately following the service, the homeless ate a spectacular meal the students served. These men were fed physically and spiritually that day.
These 150 students from around the U.S. fed the hungry daily, ministered to youth and children, and did service and construction projects. For more than 15 years Youth and Discipleship has been making a difference in New York City.
International Teen Talent Finals
Few experiences, if any, provide more nail-biting, butterflies-in-the-stomach, ministry fruit and creativity than Church of God Teen Talent! The Teen Talent program is more than a competitive event; it is a ministry of love and guidance for students and a huge investment back into local church congregations and ministries.
For the second time, International Youth and Discipleship Department Teen Talent was hosted on the campus of Lee University. For some 50 years Youth and Discipleship’s Teen Talent has helped produce many gifted musicians, pastors, writers and leaders throughout the church world, so there is much to celebrate! One new innovation this year was a completely “digital” adjudication process where all scores and remarks were managed wirelessly and digitally. Many of the trophies awarded went to students and groups from outside the USA. Lee University awarded generous scholarships to exceptionally talented young men and women.
The Lee University team demonstrated both servant hearts and professionalism with their consistent support and passion for excellence as Church of God Youth and Discipleship kept the almost 50 year Teen Talent tradition as rich and rewarding as ever! The weather was almost perfect and the talent was astounding.
Summer Youth Camp
Undoubtedly, Youth Camp remains one of the most significant, most amazing and most influential ministry opportunities of the summer.
Youth and Discipleship has a great history and tradition of Summer Youth Camp. Some like to say, “Youth Camp is better than Christmas!” Throughout the US, and virtually around the world, reports are confirming hundreds, even thousands of students accepting Christ, receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit, and accepting their call to ministry!
God seems to be doing a “new thing.” This generation of students is like none other. This is the generation that will likely hear the trumpet’s rapture call. Because this generation is unique, camp continues to be a place of evangelism, outreach, ministry, fellowship, and memories like no other.
So Much More…
These are just a few highlights from this summer. Visit www.cogyouth.org to learn about these and other great summer ministries like missions trips to Mexico, the Eagles Leadership Initiative, Lead Institute, and more. Youth and Discipleship is committed to continuing the future success of the church by reaching and discipling this generation for Christ.
(Source: Youth and Discipleship)
