On the Beach in March by Dave Falcone, Director of Youth Ministries

Last weekend, 25 high school students and adults embarked on a retreat to Ocean City, Maryland for Impact ‘08, a Youth for Christ retreat. We worshiped with 5,000 other students from high school youth ministries around the Metro-Maryland area. It was a great weekend of fun, relational development and spiritual challenges. When I tell people, their reaction is usually along the lines of a sarcastic, I’m SURE you are looking forward to spending a weekend with all of those teenagers.

After returning one student said, “I had a blast and made some awesome friends. I've gained a closer relationship with God as well as strengthened my faith. I really look forward to going on the mission’s trip this summer to serve God, gain more friends, and have a blast with everyone I just became friends with.” Trips and retreats help us achieve our purpose and vision.

Our purpose and vision drive us in everything we do. Youth ministry is much more than just occupying teenagers until they go off to college. Youth ministry is an investment in students’ lives. This investment requires dedicated adults who give of their time and resources to guide and mentor students through their spiritual journey and the maze of adolescence.

So when people sarcastically tell me, I’m SURE you are looking forward to spending a weekend with all of those teenagers, my response is always a sincere, Yes, I am. How could I not look forward to an opportunity to share my God, the God of the Universe, the Epitome of Love, with these young people? How could we not be looking forward to making an impact and an investment in their lives?

If you would like to find out more about Hope’s Youth Ministry, there will be an informative meeting on April 20th after worship. This meeting is for all parents, youth, and anyone interested in finding out what we are doing and why we are doing it.

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