Youth and Discipleship Facilitates Summer STEP Teams
In 1978, a group of ministers, educators and laity began to formulate a method to train and involve youth in world evangelism. The program, entitled “Summer Training and Evangelism Program” (STEP), became a joint effort of the departments of Youth and Christian Education and World Missions, as it has continued to this day.
The goals were, and remain, bold and meaningful:
• Introduce youth to foreign missions
• Expand the world vision of youth
• Train youth in Christian service
• Provide an opportunity for guided spiritual growth
Since its inception, STEP has not deviated from a three-fold purpose of Training, Evangelism and Action. In 1979, 43 youth from 22 countries assembled at what is now Lee University for orientation. Rev. Marcus Hand, YWEA Coordinator, and six counselors led the team in two days of training. On June 29, 1979, the team departed for their first destination – Puerto Rico. They sang, preached, testified, distributed tracts, and witnessed door-to-door. They experienced new cultures, ate new foods and made new friends. They saw great spiritual results with many salvations and Holy Spirit baptisms.
That first STEP team marked the beginning of a new era of evangelism in the Church of God. General Director of the department at the time, Floyd D. Carey, stated, “We believe that STEP will have as great an impact on world missions as any ministry ever sponsored by the church.” His statement became prophecy.
After a few years, new concepts of ministry were created. With teams traveling year round and reflecting its short-term missions ministry, the name of STEP was changed to Short-term Training and Evangelism Partners. For many years now, Church of God Youth and Discipleship has facilitated the Great Commission through the STEP ministry.
“While this has served us well, we have changed and updated this ministry outreach,” stated Y&D Director David Blair. “The new focus is called Global Expeditions. The objective will be to engage students and leaders in a hands-on experience where they can fulfill the mandate of Matthew 28:19.”
“The world in which we live seems to be getting smaller,” Blair continued. “With a simple phone call, email or on the internet we can now easily reach around the world in a matter of seconds. Yet, despite all of this technology, there are thousands in the world that still have never heard the gospel message of God’s forgiveness and hope for their lives….Tomorrow may bring new methods that will help to share the gospel message, but nothing will ever replace the redeemed, child of God sharing one-on-one their story of how God rescued and changed their lives. ‘STEP’ and ‘Global Expeditions’ can get them there both in the U.S. and countries around the world.”
This summer Youth and Discipleship is offering several opportunities for young people to engage through the model of the STEP program. Destinations include Baltimore/Washington, D.C, New York City, Dallas/Ft. Worth and the Appalachian Mountains. To learn more, visit cogyouth.org.
