‘With such an army of workers as our youth, rightly trained, might furnish, how soon the message of a crucified, risen, and soon-coming Saviour might be carried to the whole world!’ (Ellen G. White, Education, p. 271.) This well-known quote is often used as the basis for Adventist youth ministry, a work the Irish Mission takes […]
https://www.stanboroughpress.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/sp-logo-300x300.jpg00Sarah Jarvishttps://www.stanboroughpress.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/sp-logo-300x300.jpgSarah Jarvis2021-05-10 13:28:142021-05-12 15:45:48A firm foundation for our youth
On 9 April, the St Vincent La Soufrière volcano erupted, covering most of the once-idyllic island with a thick grey blanket of ash (up to 42 centimetres in some places). In addition, the neighbouring islands of St Lucia and Barbados have also been affected, with ‘homes, crops and water supplies . . . also destroyed […]
https://www.stanboroughpress.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/sp-logo-300x300.jpg00Sarah Jarvishttps://www.stanboroughpress.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/sp-logo-300x300.jpgSarah Jarvis2021-04-29 09:24:462021-04-29 09:24:46Vincentians face an added challenge
‘With such an army of workers as our youth, rightly trained, might furnish, how soon the message of a crucified, risen, and soon-coming Saviour might be carried to the whole world!’ (Ellen G. White, Education, p. 271.) This well-known quote is often used as the basis for Adventist youth ministry, a work the Irish Mission takes […]
https://www.stanboroughpress.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/sp-logo-300x300.jpg00Sarah Jarvishttps://www.stanboroughpress.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/sp-logo-300x300.jpgSarah Jarvis2021-05-10 13:28:142021-05-12 15:45:48A firm foundation for our youth
On 9 April, the St Vincent La Soufrière volcano erupted, covering most of the once-idyllic island with a thick grey blanket of ash (up to 42 centimetres in some places). In addition, the neighbouring islands of St Lucia and Barbados have also been affected, with ‘homes, crops and water supplies . . . also destroyed […]
https://www.stanboroughpress.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/sp-logo-300x300.jpg00Sarah Jarvishttps://www.stanboroughpress.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/sp-logo-300x300.jpgSarah Jarvis2021-04-29 09:24:462021-04-29 09:24:46Vincentians face an added challenge
‘With such an army of workers as our youth, rightly trained, might furnish, how soon the message of a crucified, risen, and soon-coming Saviour might be carried to the whole world!’ (Ellen G. White, Education, p. 271.)
This well-known quote is often used as the basis for Adventist youth ministry, a work the Irish Mission takes seriously. As valued members of the church family, they are nurtured through various support networks: Sabbath School, local church youth groups, Adventurers and Pathfinders, the Irish Mission the teen and young adult ‘Outposts’ project and the Irish Mission Adventist Students’ Association (IMASA).
Working together, church leaders, parents and members are faithfully working to equip the next generation to carry the torch of service and mission in Ireland. But, more than that, they are working to help youth find Jesus and accept Him as their personal Saviour and Friend.
An easy task in today’s world?
Not at all, as it is clear to us that the devil truly walks around as a lion, seeking to devour our youth, to quote 1 Peter 5:8. They face challenges that older members of the church family have never had to deal with: not least, from ever rising social pressures in our increasingly digital world. As one young person recently put it: in the process of ‘questioning my self-worth as a child, I turned away from the church and into a world of drugs and alcohol, trying to find a place to fit in. . . .’
Sadly, this is not an uncommon story among our youth. When confronted with what society offers – instant gratification, sexual excitement without commitment, and the ‘it’s all about me’ survival of the fittest culture – they have lost sight of their purpose and sense of self-value in Christ. Our aim is to engage with them, listen to them, encourage them, and, in partnership with the Holy Spirit, lead them back to Christ! Our ministry is long-term, ensuring that we can help prevent the next generation of youth from taking the same painful path. Our ministry is modelled as follows, regarded as a duty – to establish our youth in Christ:
‘Let the youth remember that here they are to build characters for eternity, and that God requires them to do their best. Let those older in experience watch over the younger ones; and when they see them tempted, take them aside, and pray with them and for them’ (Ellen G. White, Messages to Young People, p. 18).
It’s a tall order, for sure – but, in contrast to a despairing spirit, we are energised about this challenge, particularly with the recent appointment of Pastor Jefferson Melki as the new youth sponsor. The son of a pastor, Jefferson comes with a ‘prodigal son’ experience, and aims to ‘support Irish Mission youth in becoming disciples of Christ; and, as they do so, to reach their full potential’. Excited about his new role, he is clear about the missional impact of such a group of youth. ‘Imagine if Irish Mission youth believed in, became like, and ultimately took on and lived the same mindset of Christ. If this became a reality, I don’t think that their impact on Ireland and Northern Ireland can be underestimated!’
Pastor Jeff begins his ministry by interacting with youth leaders and the youth themselves, aiming to engage active and non-active members in friendly dialogue to identify their needs.
These needs will be addressed over the next two years, focusing on the following three aspects:
In-reach: To teach and equip the active youth, leadership roles will be offered to the youth in various activities, and in the process they will be nurtured into the future leaders of the Irish Mission.
Outreach: To help and guide our struggling youth back to church, activities such as sports, mental health discussions, addiction recovery sessions, apologetics talks, outposts and IMASA will be aimed at helping these youth realise that church is so much more than just a regular Saturday service. The main goal is to help them find Christ as their ultimate hope, purpose, and strength.
Media Ministry: To keep the youth further engaged in their spiritual growth, they will be directed to sources of online books, sermons, Christian motivational videos, and music designed for them.
It’s exciting, isn’t it?! Whether you are an Irish Mission member or you belong to a church in the wider British Union Conference, we ask you to pray for us as together we help establish a new start for youth work in the Irish Mission. In your own church, why not become involved by learning the names of your church’s youth and using them, often? For more information on how you can get involved in this youth work, email Pastor Jeff – jeff@adventist.ieRead more
https://www.stanboroughpress.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/sp-logo-300x300.jpg00Sarah Jarvishttps://www.stanboroughpress.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/sp-logo-300x300.jpgSarah Jarvis2021-05-10 13:28:142021-05-12 15:45:48A firm foundation for our youth
On 9 April, the St Vincent La Soufrière volcano erupted, covering most of the once-idyllic island with a thick grey blanket of ash (up to 42 centimetres in some places). In addition, the neighbouring islands of St Lucia and Barbados have also been affected, with ‘homes, crops and water supplies . . . also destroyed or contaminated’, according to a 27 April Sky News report.2
With the hurricane season just a few weeks away, Vincentians face an added challenge as they try to recover from the ash.
According to ADRA, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency visited St Vincent on 23 April to evaluate the emergency, which highlighted the need for food, water, and shelter, still crucial necessities for thousands of evacuees.
The report highlights (updated on 27 April):
– 85 public shelters house 4,396 occupants.
– 6,790 persons are registered in private shelters.
– 1,618 families are in private homes.
– 1,333 persons in private homes are registered to feed at shelters.
– 156 persons are sheltered in hotels.
A total of 13,303 persons have been displaced by the eruptions.
Cash donations are preferred due to logistical challenges. On the plus side, the local water production capability is growing, and work is ongoing to restore a pipe-borne supply to the public. Bottled water distribution continues across the SVG.
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency International (ADRA) will be providing 1,280 meals per day for one month – for 12 shelters.
ADRA-UK has raised more than £14,000 to date, and has immediately made £12,000 available towards providing food to the shelters.
To assist with ADRA’s emergency response on St Vincent, please donate now!
https://www.stanboroughpress.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/sp-logo-300x300.jpg00Sarah Jarvishttps://www.stanboroughpress.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/sp-logo-300x300.jpgSarah Jarvis2021-04-29 09:24:462021-04-29 09:24:46Vincentians face an added challenge
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