Youth Ministries

Youth Leader News

May-June 2010

Looking Forward

Teen Leaders, Youth Leaders, Collegiate & Young Adult Leaders,

This monthly E-letter is intended to be a resource for Teen (Earliteen), Youth, Collegiate & Young Adult leaders doing ministry in churches throughout the Oregon Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

This month we are addressing principle #4 from the book 7 Principles for Youth Ministry Excellence published by Advent Source and available from the ABC or Advent Source www.adventsource.org. We highly recommended you purchase a copy for your personal use. It is in a workbook format and an excellent resource for building your leadership skills. To review principles #1-3, you can download the previous months’ E-letters from the Youth Ministries website www.orgcyouth.adventistnw.org.

Plan with Purpose

Think it through – So where is your group headed? Have you thought it through? If the answer is “Yes,” this may be a good time to check your bearings again and make any necessary corrections. If the answer is “No,” then it’s time to set your sights on God’s purpose for your group. Here is a short quiz.

The direction our group is going:
1. Was determined by the group through prayer and study.
2. Was set five years ago by a popular youth leader.
3. Changes from week to week depending on the activity.
The reason our group exists:
1. Is known by all who come in contact with us.
2. Has yet to be decided.
3. Is simply to cause me trouble.
If someone asked how we make plans for our group, I would say:
1. By doing things that help us fulfill our vision.
2. By polling the group to see what they’d like to do next month.
3. What plans?

Okay, so some of us are planners and some of us are not. Some of us can only get things done if there is plenty of time, and some of use work best under pressure and can only accomplish things at the last minute. What kind of a planner are you? What kind of planner do you wish you were? Oh Lord, help us!

Jesus gave them this answer. “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; He can do only what He sees His Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” (John 5:19)

Here are some things to consider:

Start with prayer – seeking to know Jesus’ agenda for your group, and never stop praying.
Gather a core group to brainstorm together, and set a course for your group.
Develop a Vision and Mission Statement and then use it as a check for all you plan to do.
Establish a yearly cycle which focuses on different types of activities throughout the year.
Organize a calendar that includes area and conference-sponsored events to enhance your group.
Avoid burnout by balancing your programming. Do not over-program.
Develop and manage a budget.
Be aware of risks and get training for preventing problems which can destroy your group.

“Looking Forward” to working with you in planning with purpose for His will,

Pastor Monte Torkelsen Pastor Tracy Wood

Youth Ministries Director Associate Youth Ministries Director

Big Lake Youth Camp Director Oregon Conference Pathfinder Director

Office 503-850-3578 Office 503-850-3579

Email monte.torkelsen@oc.npuc.org Email tracy.wood@oc.npuc.org

Web: www.orgcyouth.adventistnw.org Web: www.orgcpathfinders.adventistnw.org

We are now on Facebook: Oregon Conference Youth Ministries

Stuff 2 Study:

Resources to Plan with Purpose:

7 Principles for Youth Ministry Excellence, Center for Youth Evangelism, Advent Source, available from ABC and Advent Source
The Youth Worker Guide Book, General Conf. of Seventh-day Adventists, available from ABC
Building Youth Ministry, Barry Gane, La Sierra University Press, available from ABC and Advent Source

Get 2Gether:

Teens (grades 7-8)

We do not have any Conference-sponsored Teen events scheduled for this month.

Youth (grades 9-12)

Youth Expo (an event similar to Go Fest & Youth Festival) is coming to Portland.

Dates: July 29-Aug 1, 2010

For more info contact Your Bible Speaks Adventist Church 503-287-8423

Collegiate/Young Adults

Re-Connect

Re-Connect Vespers, which usually takes place the 3^rd Friday night of the month in the Portland area will not be meeting for the months of May or June. Go to Re-Connect on Facebook for more information.

Mind 4 Mission:

Teens (grades 7-8)

We do not know of any Conference Teen Mission Trips scheduled for this month.

Youth (grades 9-12)

Ultimate Workout 20 will take place July 13-26, 2010. Registration is now open. Sponsored by Maranatha Volunteers http://www.maranatha.org/Template_Load.aspx?PageID=199

We do not know of any Conference Youth Mission Trips scheduled for this month.

Collegiate/Young Adults

Cintalapa is a suburb in the poorest state of Chiapas, Mexico. Church members, who are currently meeting under a carport, are excited and anxious for their new building. Volunteers will stay in church members' homes during the project, which will include construction, children's ministry and medical outreach. If you are a young adult looking to make a difference, this is one project you won't want to miss. It is for participants between the ages of 18 and 35 years. The dates are August 5-17, 2010. Skills needed: Spanish language skills, Vacation Bible School, prayer, worship, music and medical outreach and construction. For more info contact Maranatha Volunteers https://www.maranatha.org/Template_Load.aspx?PageID=211&TeamGroupID=1990

Cruise with a Mission – a vacation with a purpose, a mission trip, a Caribbean cruise, a spiritual retreat, a meaningful adventure, all wrapped up in one! Ship sails December 12-19, 2010. For Cruise updates and reservation info www.cruisewithamission.org Sponsored by the Center for Youth Evangelism, Andrews University

Announcements:

Sign-up for this OCYM E-letter

The purpose of this E-letter is to provide communication among Pastors, Earliteen, Youth, Collegiate, and Young Adult leaders and their supporters. It contains ministry resources and information about upcoming events as well as announcements of ministry opportunities. It is produced monthly and is emailed to those who sign up to receive it. It will also be posted at www.orgcyouth.adventistnw.org. If you would like to receive your own copy, contact Desiree Rinza at 503-850-3521 or desiree.rinza@oc.npuc.org

Collegiate Facebook

If you are a College student interested in connecting with other College students from churches around the Portland area, then join this Facebook group: Portland Metro (Collegiate+) Ministry. There are things happening by College students for College students!

Re-Connect Weekend

We will be hosting a conference-wide Re-Connect Weekend at the Holden Convention Center July 16-17, 2010. This event is intended for Collegiate/Young Adults. For more information go to http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/event.php?eid=133029910043180&ref=ts

Youth Ministries Facebook accounts

Big Lake: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gladstone-OR/Big-Lake-Youth-Camp/248537859300

OYCM: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gladstone-OR/Oregon-Conference-Youth-Ministries/247161539234

OR PF: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gladstone-OR/Oregon-Pathfinders/152763038190?ref=ts

OR Spanish Jovenes: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jovenes-Oregon-Conference/233672681609

Collegiate: http://ko-kr.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&ref=mf&gid=169709281868

Re-connect: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Portland-OR-Area/Re-Connect/158021139132?ref=ts

Calendar Planning:

May 30, 2010 MAA Graduation Milo Adventist Academy

June 2, 2010 Youth Pastors / Chaplains Day Oregon Conference Office

June 6, 2010 CAA, LAA, PAA, RVAS Graduations

June 13, 2010 WWU Graduation Walla Walla University