Miki’s story shows how you’re leading young people closer to Jesus

Your investment in local ministry helps make stories like Miki’s possible

Before COVID-19, Miki and the youth team at Richmond Anglican had begun a new ministry—especially focused on growing and training mature Christian teens within the youth group.

In a growing ministry, it can be easy to forget the more mature Christians, as Miki explains …

“On a busy Friday night of ministry, our time gets drawn away from helping those mature, ‘solid’ kids. By shifting our focus towards training, our goal is that these youth will go and minister to their friends.”

But in a season of lockdown, this new training program became much more difficult to run, with youth group moving online in accordance with safety recommendations.

Miki says that she and the team were able to adapt to the new circumstances with the support of their Youthworks Youth Ministry Advisor, Al.

She explains:

“Usually our trainees would serve on Fridays in a bunch of different capacities but, now that youth is online, not all of these exist. So we’ve given them new roles—some are involved in leading prayer, running icebreaker games, leading music, and so on.

“Al has been fantastic; he’s really helped us with different ideas and knowing the restrictions and how we can manage that. Also, personally, he has a genuine interest in wanting to support and know our pastoral team to make sure we’re okay.”

For months, it’s felt to Miki (along with youth pastors around the country) that each week brings something new, whether it’s new laws and regulations, a new pastoral issue arising from isolation, or leaders struggling for motivation through the troubles of online ministry.

But having a sounding-board like Al to bounce ideas off has made all the difference over these last few months, at least for the Richmond youth ministry team:

“Youthworks have been a wonderful support and resource for our church. Al has been quick to provide us with information and resources. He’s also going to be doing training at our leaders’ retreat.”

You help make stories like Miki’s possible.

Thank you for investing in local youth ministry and helping to orient young people towards a life in Christ even through the changes that this year has thrown at them!