"We just designed a t-shirt (drawn by one of our youth) for sale "

My name is Grace Morales and our church is: Faith Assembly of God in Port Richey, Florida. We are a small congregation, but we care very much for the youth. Our church has a youth group of 20 to 25 young people, ranging in age from 14 to 19. I am presently working with the youth leader, who doesn't have much experience and has asked for my help. I have been writing poetry, plays and skits for many years and the youth have gotten very interested in the skits. They also are very interested on learning and practice the Christian walk.

We meet every Thursday. Recently the young people requested that we do something special for Valentines Day that reflects upon the values of their faith and we are seeking ideas for such an activity.

We just designed a t-shirt (drawn by one of our youth) for sale, and will be doing additional activities to build up our fund. We would like to share ia picture of it with everyone.

I would really like to strengthen our youth here in our church. I always pray that God will work in our church especially on the youth. We had been very busy last month. We had our Summer youth camp for this year. It started May 05 and ended May 08. The weather wasn't that good so some of our activities has been cancelled. But God is good and we found our ways to make everything possible. Even the power interruption became our problems but praise God because one of our pastors came with a generator. And everything became good. Thanks to your games from your website coz we have used them in some our activities. I have suggested those games and our facilitator gladly accepted it. Even at night when it was raining, before we sleep, we gather together in a circle then we played the spin the bible. After exhortation one must have testimonies and I felt how it worked on us. Thanks a lot. I hope we can also get a copy of your book. But we do not know if that is released here in the Philippines. We will try to join the International Bible Hunt.

more power and blessing, glory to God,

Jayson Ferrera, the Philippians,

If you would like to share some thoughts with Jason, please forward them to: TimFerguson@christianyouthgroup.org. Jason will be notified of your correspondence.

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Welcome to the world of youth ministry. It will be challenging and very rewarding. You will find that your faith will grow as you work with the young people.

How can I help you? Well, there is this website, which is filled with testimonials of youth leaders and the youth themselves as well as with activities. There is also the book, "Not the Same Old, Done-it-before Youth Meetings". Reviews can be found by clicking "Book Release" above. There are also more reviews of the book at Amazon.com.

For more specific ideas, please tell me more about your group. What age group? How many? How frequently do you meet? Is the group primarily a social group (safe place to meet) or is it primarily a Bible study group or somewhere in between. Our group in New York is "somewhere in between". I look forward to hearing from you and helping you as best as I can... Tim Ferguson

"We have an activity we call gph (gospel power hour) where everyone get a turn to share with us "

I am a youth leader from South Africa. We are a very active group and meet four times a week. I found your activity "Finding Truth" very interesting and plan to use it with our group.

Our youth group has members between 13 and 18 and, we have about sixty members. I have been a youth leader for three years.

We have an activity we call gph (gospel power hour) where everyone get a turn to share with us. It can be something in your own life or something from the Bible, or we can just pray for each other. It builds our faith and is one of our favorite activities.

Juan, South Africa

Editor's note: If you would like to share some thoughts with Juan, please forward them to: TimFerguson@christianyouthgroup.org. Juan will be notified of your correspondence. "Finding Truth" can be found on the activities page of this website.

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More ideas ...

try our website featuring the International Bible Treasure Hunt and the Christian Teens Hall of Honor.... Not the Same Old, Done-it-before Youth Meetings: Site Two at ... Site Two

4 "Our youth group members are a mix of children from military families and those born and raised here. "

We are Theresa Presbyterian Church located in a rural section of Northern New York about 20 miles from the Canadian border (and most beautiful resort area of The Thousand Islands in Alexandria Bay) and 10 miles from Fort Drum, home of the U.S. Army 10th Mountain Division. Our youth group members are a mix of children from military families and those born and raised here. At present, we have 3 husband/wife youth group team leaders and we rotate holding youth group events, generally 2-4 times a month. Membership in the youth group has averaged only 8-10 consisting of grades 7-12. We have a very successful annual Vacation Bible School (which I co-directed for the first time this year) attracting over 100 children (preschool - 6th grade) from all churches during one week every summer so we know there are more out there that we should be reaching. We welcome any suggestions other churches can share with us. We look forward to hearing back from you.

Joan Gleason

Theresa Presbyterian Church Youth Group Leader

Editor's note: Joan's youth group is the tenth group to sign up for this year's International Bible Treasure Hunt. She is happy to correspond with other youth leaders and her e-mail address is: F96Gleason@AOL.com

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" The ideas here work. I know that because I've seen them work. Every one has been teen-tested."...Frank Tangredi, youth leader, New York Click here for more "Activities for Christian Youth Programs"

A youth leader from Palo Alto, California recently wrote, ""It's a sin to bore kids with gospel." Do you agree? Click here to read the entire article: Gospel Boring?

Hear what Cara of Goodreads says about

"Not the Same Old, Done-it-before Youth Meetings"

Review: "Wow! Its one of the few realistic and useful youth books I've run across and is recommended for youth pastors and adult volunteers in youth."

Thanks, Cara, for reading and sharing.

3 "our Ministry in India, where we working among the poor and suffering, persecuted and among different type of victim people, who needs Jesus’s love and gospel "

Heartfelt loving greetings to you in Jesus precious name.

Thank you so much for your kind e-mail letter, which I have gone through and understood it well.

Myself and my wife Hanna, children and churches, our fellowship pastors and bible women and all of our dear brethren have been praying for you very much for you and for your family , children and ministry.

Earnestly praying for upholding of Jesus in all conditions and gets victory in Jesus mighty name, Amen Hallelujah!

Praise God that our lord God has given you such a great and compassionate heart for helping the suffering body of Christ in India.

I am also thanking the lord Jesus for your God’s loving heart to help to our Ministry in India, where we working among the poor and suffering, persecuted and among different type of victim people, who needs Jesus’s love and gospel and the comfort of our savior Jesus Christ.

I am going to send all Christians the below listed projects for your holy prayers.

1. Pastors and Bible women in Gospel unreached areas.

2. Widows and old aged project

3. Orphan child project.

4. Church plantation and church construction project.

5. Prisoner ministry.

6. Door to door Evangelism.

7. Leper brother Aid and medication.

I prayerfully request for guidance in projects to recommend for support and help for the above needed people according to Matthe25:35-40,James1:27,provebrs19:17.

Finally, here we all are praying for you and your family of worldwide Christian youth leaders. I know prayerfully that our lord God is started doing His miracles in all of these caring people. Amen Hallelujah!

Yours ever loving and praying brother in the lord’s ministry,

Pastor P.Prasanna Jeevan Babu

D.KESAVARAM – 533 341.,E.G.AT. AP.,INDIA

Pastor Babu has written (October 2008) a follow up correspondence as follows:

GREETINGS TO YOU IN THE HOLY NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

Thank you very much for your holy prayer and mail to us.

We had a wonderful street night meeting in last night and the Holy Ghost was moving mightily among us. Many are free from sickness, sin and their problems.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOU HOLY PRAYERS.

These are the wonderful photos, I am including in this mail. Please continue to pray for us.

YOU ARE IN OUR HEARTS AND DAILY PRAYERS.

Pastor.P.Prasanna Jeevan Babu and family.

Editor's note:

If you would like to share some thought with Pastor Babu, please write to: TimFerguson@christianyouthgroup.org. Pastor Babu will be notified and we all look forward to your correspondence.

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3 "The youth ministry at LRM, on our Chosen Remnant website, is not only for the youth, it is by the youth! "

Tim: Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! After years of ministering solely to adults on The Lord‘s Remnant Ministries website, the Lord placed on our hearts to begin a website with the whole family in mind; soon thereafter, Chosen Remnant (.com) was born.

Having children of my own, and watching them as they have not only grown up, but have grown in Christ as well, it was an easy decision to have a different kind of youth ministry.

The youth ministry at LRM, on our Chosen Remnant website, is not only for the youth, it is by the youth! The sermons, poems, music, scripture verses, and creative ministry items are placed into the heart of our youth and expressed through them! When it came time to sum up our youth ministry so our visitors could quickly grasp the foundation of it, the explanation came easily enough: “For Us by Us!”

As you know, growing in Christ begins at an early age. With this in our hearts, we began our “Little Lambs” ministry with the smaller children in mind. On the pages hosted by “Lamb Chop,” the younger children can find talking characters, lessons, poems, and activities just for them! Some of these as well come from the heart of the little ones who belong to Christ! “From the mouths of babes…” you know!

Blessings to you, Tim! And may the grace of our Great God and Savior guard your heart and your youth there!

In Christ,

K. Allen Cox

The Chosen Remnant Website

Editor's note:

This is a wonderful website for those who enjoy contemporary Christian music. It has many other worthwhile features and is highly recommended.

If you would like to discuss music or other matters with Allen, please write to: TimFerguson@christianyouthgroup.org. Allen will be notified and we all look forward to your correspondence.

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2 Rise as I am to take a tough assignment"

Hi,

Tim Ferguson,

First of all sorry for replying late as I was on trip for visiting young people at another city Lahore.

Let me tell you my heart is filled with pleasure to acknowlege yours concerns about our organisation.I want to share few things with you regarding our organisation.

First of all,As I am spiritually gromed in Lord and an educationist by profession (as you might have read in my website) One day,The Lord spoke to me and said I "Rise as I am to take a tough assignment from you that is rehabilitation and serving to deprived young Christian People as majority of christian Youthi.e about 88% are in worst form(Academically,spiritually,morally etc) so I described my few fellows who agreed and hence we formed this organisation CYDO last year in 2007.Leat me tell you that our team members are dedicated,commited and spiritually strong in Lord Christ.

Even in one year we have arranged free studies programme and career guide line programme in which more than 500 students got the benifits. We are all doing on self basis uptill now.

This year we are launching few programmes including a summer camp

In this camp we are aiming to invove young people of 16-18 age group in academic,spiritual,musical competitive and other entertaining activities,daily the duration will long for 3 hrs norning 0900 hrs-1200hrs PST and it will continue till 25th july without the gap(On every saturdays and sundays,it will remain off).I will send updates about this camp and snaps.

We as usual pray for national and international partners including you being one of the close partners.

Yours guidance would be meaningful for us.

Blessings.

Robin Daud

www.christianyouthdevelopment.org

Editor's note:

First of all ... it is so nice to see so many Christian leaders in Pakistan. I hope that this website will connect you with one another. Second of all, I look forward to continue to share not only my ideas but those of other tyouth leaders around the world with you.

If you would like to discuss activity ideas with Robin and Tim, please write to: TimFerguson@christianyouthgroup.org. Robin will be notified and we all look forward to your correspondence.

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A The "Mosquito Game"

I'm a youth leader in Des Moines Iowa and we are gearing up for our 4th 30 Hour Famine event. Saw on your web site pictures of a learning game called "Mosquito Tag" and I am looking for a Mosquito game for our famine. Do you have rules by chance?

If you could send me the rules and set up for that game, I would appreciate it.

Thanks,

Shelley Carson

Shelly Carson,Director of Youth Ministries, St. John's UM Church

Editor's Note: I would say that this year’s Tribe Game was one of the best developed by World Vision and our youth program has done the 30 Hour Famine for many years.

In terms of the game itself, it only has meaning in the context of the Tribe Game itself. You can see from the website the components of the Tribe Game we used. We started by handing out Indonesian identity cards which are included in your packet. I did not have the youth act out the disabilities but we did discuss them at the beginning and after every event to identify which of our Indonesian counterparts were most at risk at each phase of the game.

Some of our young people began with no disabilities and this is where the mosquito game was most effective. We had one person, who began the game with no disabilities, come down with Malaria as a result of the game and were able to make the point that risk of ill health is a consistent risk in Indonesia, even if one is one of the fortunate few who had no disabilities.

To the best of my recollection – here is how the game is played.

Pick four youth to be mosquitoes, one from each tribe. If you have five tribes then there will be five mosquitoes. Give the mosquitoes different colored stickers. They will try to tag the other youth members as they run from one side of the room to the other. Sounds easy except the mosquito youth are blindfolded. When they tag someone running by, they randomly put a colored sticker on them. Each mosquito has a random collection of different colored stickers. They are instructed to tag all youth running by – even those of their own team.

Here is the key as mentioned on the website. Make the running area narrow otherwise the blindfolded youth will have no chance. We had our four “mosquitoes” covering a width of about 12 to 15 feet. You have to make it hard to get through or no one will be tagged.

After all youth were tagged except for one, we gave certain points for the team that had the last participant and for the team whose “mosquito” tagged the most people.. (The teams accumulated points for their performances in each event.) Then came the important part. We picked a random color from the colors handed out by the mosquitoes. Anyone who was given that color after being tagged was deemed to be bitten by a mosquito that transmitted malaria. All of the other mosquito bites itched but were harmless. It worked for us that one of the youth that had no disabilities and was healthy until this event, came down with malaria. It allowed us to discuss the risk of living in third world countries like Indonesia for even healthy individuals. The youth were impacted by this simple game as to how fortunate we are in this country to have a relatively healthy environment (clean water, lack of earthquakes, monsoons, et al) and the existence of available medicine when one becomes sick.

We also discussed how the presence of diseases like malaria combined with minimal health care created roadblocks to young people growing into healthy adults who can care for themselves and their future families. See website for more information.

I trust this is helpful. Please let me know how your famine went and a little more about your youth program. Looking forward to hearing from you. Tim Ferguson, Deer Park Presbyterian Church, NY

Tim Ferguson

If you would like to discuss activity ideas with Shelly and Tim, please write to: TimFerguson@christianyouthgroup.org. Kate will be notified and we all look forward to your correspondence.

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More ideas ...

1 Friend from Pakistan

Hello, my name is Muquaddar Johnson of Pakistan. I work for Youth for Christ in my country and seek to share stories of working with youth with other Chistian youth leaders. Below is our most recent activity report.

Introduction:

YFC is not for profit; non-political and non-governmental volunteer Christian Organization based in Faisalabad Pakistan. It was formed in 1996 but established formally in 2000 in Faisalabad. YFC works in the rural and urban areas of Faisalabad. YFC works for the development of Education, Awareness Seminars, Sports and Bible study circles. YFC have 123 youth active members from different churches and places of Faisalabad. YFC has 53 female members and 70 male members in his youth. YFC had a comprehensive survey and observed religious, social and economical conflicts of the families. It would be terrible to know that a reasonable strength of youth was roaming in the streets with aimlessly and away from God.

These areas had very low literacy rate poor nourishment and less Biblical knowledge. They were socially obstructed and deprived from even basic needs of life. During the survey it was diagnosed that parents of the youth want to educate their children in Christ but due to non-availability of such facility this wish could not be achieved. Youth was destroying there live because of not having any resource by which they could develop their lives. They only roam here and there and spend their times. Some of them become addicted. In this area not only children and youth were deprived from the facilities as well as women are also kept behind. Women of our country is more than 50% representation in total population have not been equitable share in the process of every field of life, they are taken all the day work in the houses and on the work places but not given reward as much as they are deserved. They did not have awareness about any socio economic issued and religious topics. Therefore they are underdeveloped then the males. Faisalabad is the third largest city and the Manchester of the Pakistan whose total population are 2.0 million. It is an industrial city and famous due to its industries. It is surrounded by villages and connected by all means of communication. It is at distance of 377 km from the ancient and the capital of Pakistan.

How We Achieving Our Vision:

YFC focuses on the disadvantages section of the society in Faisalabad and its adjoining areas by organization them in the group and strengthening their capacities to enable them to solve their socio-economic problems by using participatory approach to development. Youth for Christ was established in 2000 as a non-profit making, non-governmental organization. The concept of YFC in not based on the traditional development approach. We believe that the community development is a systematic process leading to community empowerment by building up the knowledge of Christ base for their development.

If you would like to correspond with Muquaddar, and I know he is eager to do so with you, please send your correspondence to: TimFerguson@christianyouthgroup.org. The correspondence will be posted on this website and Muquaddar will be notified.

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2 Looking for "Vibe"

Hi, My name is Kate and I need some help with my YOUTH. On Sunday morning we have 20 or less YOUTH come and I think I know why. Our Sunday classes...aren't fun and they don't have any...vibe to it. It gets less and less each week and I need help to figure out how to get our YOUTH to come on Sunday's. Do you have any ideas on making Sunday classes...interesting, fun, and exciting? I need help. Thanks so much! God bless.

Kate Necker

Kate – Thank you for sharing your concerns with me and I am sorry it has taken some time for me to respond.

Teaching Sunday School and running a youth group are similar yet different activities. I have done both. The ideas and activities on the web site are primarily for youth group activities when there is a longer period of time set aside and when there is an expectation that we leaders will present a program that encourages the growth of Christian friendships as well as presenting opportunities for the faith of our young people to grow.

There are a couple of ideas from the site that you can use in a Sunday School setting that I believe will work. One is the “Fruits of the Spirit” activity found on the following link. Another is the “Three Pens Game” in the Archives Activities section of this website. Fruits of the Spirit

I remember my first Sunday School class (Seventh Grade) when I judiciously studied a curriculum given to me, presented the workbooks which accompanied the curriculum to my students and found that it just did not work. I knew I had to start being creative and develop my own ideas for the group. About three weeks later we played the “Three Pens Game” which sparked their interest. Then we did something I call “The Jury Speaks” where we turned the class into a courtroom and organized the young people into a couple of small juries. Juries of three or four will even do. After having some discussion about the legal system and levels of evidence, I presented a “case”. It had to do with a problematic situation teens might encounter. After they discussed the case and each jury revealed its conclusion, we looked at scripture to determine what Jesus would do.

The first time we did “The Jury Speaks” was in 1977 and we are still doing the event today now during our youth group meetings as my Sunday School teaching days are over. The event is always well received by our young people and we really get a chance to talk about the guidelines for life scripture gives us. I cannot release information about specific scenarios developed on the web site as the scenarios are too long. However, you can find six scenarios to use with scripture references and discussion in the book, “Not the Same Old, Done-it-before Youth Meetings”. Simply go on the website and more information about the book can be found partway down the Home page or on a separate page entitled “The Book”.

The book has 360 pages worth of ideas and activities in it including many Bible studies you can use in a classroom environment. Other popular activity ideas are found in the chapters, “Who do you say I am?”, “Where can I find you, God?” and “What would you have me do, Lord?”. There are also study ideas for the following holidays: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Easter.

I hope that this has been helpful. Please write and let me know where you are from as I would like to include you on our Guestmap. Here is the url for the web site in case you have misplaced it:

http://www.christianyouthgroup.org

Tim Ferguson

If you would like to discuss activity ideas with Kate and Tim, please write to: TimFerguson@christianyouthgroup.org. Kate will be notified and we all look forward to your correspondence.

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3 What about fundraising?

Hello I just have a few questions about starting the youth group....we can not think of any thing to do for fundraising. Can you give us any suggestions? We are thinking about a car wash and a bake/yard sale, but we also like to think of more to keep our opinions open. Can you please help. May god bless you and your youth.

Tamatha Carlton, "Living Waters"

Thank you for your inquiry. This is not the first time I have been asked this question. My response is in two parts:

• What do you need the money for? When I was presenting my book to publishers two years ago, one publisher responded that youth are not interested in interactive activities, Bible discussions and the like, similar to the events presented on this website. They just want to go on canoe trips, amusement parks and other costly activities. I respectfully disagree. We have been doing these interactive type events regularly at our youth programs for years and our youth regularly come, many every Sunday evening for the past six or seven years. The point is – we do not need a lot of money to run a youth program.
• With that said, there are times that extra funds are needed. We have a retreat every other year and … extra funds are needed. We have done car washes and they are fun for the youth (as long as you do them in warm weather) and will bring some funds in. The key is selling tickets for the car wash before hand. Here are some other ideas:
• We did a pancake breakfast and sold tickets beforehand. We had pictures of youth activities around the breakfast hall. The youth were waiters and were encouraged to discuss the events of the youth group while serving breakfast. It was not only a success financially but it gave the community a chance to meet our young people and learn something about our program.
• We had a “Youth Auction”. We identified tasks the youth could do for congregation members and auctioned them off. The most popular tasks were: babysitting, raking leaves and other backyard work, washing and waxing cars and electronics. In regards to electronics, we had older parishioners in our church that had purchased an electronics system such as a DVD player and were confused how to set it up. Others had trouble understanding how to operate remote control devices. Many of our young people were “whizzes” at these type tasks. The one time we did the auction everyone had great fun, the parishioners got to meet our youth in a different way and several needed tasks were accomplished. We even had some people who did not win bids but made a donation to our program to support the young people.

I hope these ideas are helpful. I don’t know what you need the funds for and we all have expenses for our program. Please review some of the activities on the web site. They will cost you little or nothing to do these events. In addition the book, “Not the Same Old, Done-it-before Youth Meetings”, has 360 pages of activities that are quite inexpensive to do. Also please note that almost all of the activities on this web site were developed after the book was written. In other words, the book has activities not reflected on this website.

If you have fundraising ideas or activity ideas for Tamatha, please share them by writing to: TimFerguson@christianyouthgroup.org. Tamatha will be notified of your correspondence and it will be shared with other Christian youth leaders on this website. Thank you.

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Something new, something different: fresh, fun and effective ideas for youth groups Click here: Activities for Christian youth

4 It's definitely God's Work!

Tim ...Let me tell you about some people in our church in Tennessee. We have a couple in our church who returned from three years on mission field in Turkey. They did a lot with the M.K.’s there and before leaving the U.S. were our youth leaders for fifteen years.I will pass along information about the web site to them. There is also a young man from Maryville that has such a testimony of his own and what God did through him at Alcoa Baptist Chuch with the youth. In a little over a year a mission group for his church has grown from one week in rural Kentucky to one month last year ionvolving many churches in the Maryville/Knoxville area! The local Baptist association has recently bought a school building which we are working on. This summer’s youth program at this location will have about 1,600 youth attending.

I will commit to praying for you, your youth group and church. Please pray for our group, as we will be traveling to eastern KY to work on the old school building, mentioned above, that our Baptist association bought as a mission location. This mission grew from 1 church/1 week to 20-30 churches/4 weeks last year! The school closed last year and the building was bought this past fall! The area is coal mining, and very poor. And now to have a place to use for year round missions, is definitely God at work. I could write you a book on how God has used this young man!

Rocky Branch Missionary is a small church, too. We probably have 100-135 on Sunday am. Just watch for where God is working and join him there.

Editor's Note:

Thank you for sharing with us, Vicki . I am so pleased to hear about your church reaching out to coal miner's families. This is a group of needy people many Christians have forgotten in the midst of the hurricanes (New Orleans) and tsunamis of the past few years..

If anyone wishes to write to Vicki, please send your message to: TimFerguson@christianyouthgroup.org. and it will be posted on this website. Vicki will be notified of the posting.

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5 Sharing Experiences

Let me tell you what was really interested me in the last letter which I’ve got: “30 years in youth services” while I ‘m 32 old years and almost only 17 years in youth services. Please , I think it is better sharing with you these experiences which you have passed than any other supports, reasons why: I get to read this book because I’m sure that all of the experiences will be there.

There are two categories of ages of our young people. One group is between 7 to 14years where about 30 to 40participants are; another is between 17 to 30 years; this has more than 70 members together in relationship with other high schools (Christian youth teams) in my country where every local Christian youth team is independent in the same prayer and relationship.

Our two favorite activities which I do with our young people are: Prayer together with Evangelical then playing different games and dance.

In my area, I wish to build a Christian youth center because in the holiday’s school, many parents need a secure area where they can leave their kids (young) for playing different games at the same time takes a good Christian education. Our ministry is Village mu rugo and I want to be with your team in a prayer relationship.

Thanks and God bless you for the web site (Cuts); I think Linda is your wife isn’t it?

Have nice work and let God continue being together with you in such ministry.

Amen.

More thoughts from Jean Victor can be found by clicking ... Rwanda Youth Worker Review: I grew spiritual ..."

Jean Manzi Victor, Rwanda, East Africa

Thank you for sharing with us, Jean . We would love to hear from your young people themselves and I will post any of their comments on the Youth Speaks Out page.

If anyone wishes to write to Jean Victor, please send your message to: TimFerguson@christianyouthgroup.org. and it will be posted on this website. Jean will be notified of the posting.

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Dear beloved Brother Tim Ferguson,

Love and greetings to you on the eve of Merry Christmas and wish you a very happy & prosperous new year 2008 hoping to bring you love and cheer throughout and prosper you in all walks of your life.

It is prayerfully decided to conduct community Christmas in December and conduct love feast for the co-pastors, orphan children, widows & saints in all our churches and it is decided to present them new clothes on this festive occasion as Christmas gift from divine and therefore request you to kindly pray for the same by sending your Christmas gift o meet the expenses.

We were all praying God for you, for your family and ministry and request you to continue to pray for us, for our ministry and for the community Christmas to be conducted in December before Christmas and pray for sending your monetary gift soon.

Please visit our website www.geocities.com/anandravuri

With much love in Christ,

I look to receive your mail soon,

Your servant in Christ,Pastor Anandbabu Ravuri Christian Living Ministries, India

Editor's Note: Thank you for your Christmas greeting, Pastor Ravuri. Wish your young people a Merry Christmas from our Christians Under the Stairs group in Deer Park, NY. We would love to hear from your young people themselves and I will post any of their comments on the Youth Speaks Out page.

If anyone wishes to write to Pastor Ravuri, please send your message to: TimFerguson@christianyouthgroup.org. and it will be posted on this website or reference Pastor Ravuri's website listed above.

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6 Thank God for this ministry

12-2-07 .... I used the "Ha Ha" game to break the ice and than I used "trust and pray" which blew away the youth. They loved it at the end when we lit the candles and began to pray. I believe the lord told me to ask if everybody accept Jesus as their savior; one said "no" and I began to tell her about Jesus and she accept Jesus this day into her life; praise god. I thank God for this ministry

Boyd Diaz Texas, USA <

Thank you for sharing with us, Boyd. I am very pleased that the activities of this website had such an effect on your young people.We hope and look forward to hearing more about your youth group, some of the activities that they like that you could share with all of us to try. We are learning from each other. Wish your young people a Merry Christmas from our Christians Under the Stairs group in Deer Park, NY. We would love to hear from the young people themselves and I will post their comments on the Youth Speaks Out page.

If you wish to write to Boyd, please send your message to: TimFerguson@christianyouthgroup.org. and it will be posted on this website. Here are links for the activities Boyd refers to:

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7 I need ideas

I am just recently elected as an assistant youth leader in my church in Fiji ... I just need ideas of how to keep our youths together.

Ana
Fiji

Editor's Note: Hi Ana,

I am pleased to have heard from you and that you took time to identify yourself on our map of guests. You can see that we have had a nice response from around the world.

You asked about steps to take to maintain the interest of your youth. May I suggest the following:

Group activities need to be planned in collaboration with the young people themselves. We do this by having annual elections and I meet regularly with our elected leaders even if only for a few minutes before a meeting. In addition during our weekly announcements we always ask all of the youth if they have any suggestions.

Be a good listener. You will learn a great deal that helps you develop your program by listening to the youth talk with one another, perhaps during a craft activity or some event during which they are doing something rather than discussing. Our youth have shared many a good idea while working at a local soup kitchen feeding the homeless.

Make the meeting fun. You can share the gospel and have fun at the same time. On the website I have described some activities that we have developed that do just that. Also – it is O.K. to have some activities purely for fun. We do this but in every meeting we find some time to share why we are all together – the love of God that brings us the three themes for our program – Faith … Fun … Friends.

This one depends on your comfort level. I love when our young people challenge me. It makes me do some work and my faith grows as a result. I have just put on the website the result of such a recent challenge. Two weeks ago nine of our young people stated they wanted to be part of a Christmas skit – no suggested topic – they just wanted to do so. The end result was the skit “Were You There?” which they will be performing on Dec. 16th. I will be printing it sometime next week in full on the Activities Archives page with a reference on the Activities page. Use it in your meetings if it will be helpful.

I have some activities on the website and there are 360 pages worth of activities in a recent book I have published entitled “Not the Same Old, Done-it-before Youth Meetings”. You can find it on Amazon.com and you can even review segments of the book @Amazon.com. Also on the page entitled “The Book” you can read a few brief testimonials about the book.

I hope I have been helpful and please let me know how your group is doing. Do you have any pictures of your young people and some of your activities that I can share on this website? If you tell me a little more about your group – ages, number who come to meetings, frequency of meetings, I may be able to make more concrete suggestions.

We will keep your group and yourself in our prayers and we wish you the happiest of Christmas seasons. Tim Ferguson

If you also wish to write to Ana, please send your message to: TimFerguson@christianyouthgroup.org. and it will be posted on this website.

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8 I love working with teens

I love the fact that my job is working with teenagers. I have been in youth ministry since I graduated High School in 2000. I was one of the leaders of my church youth group for the four years I was in college. After graduating college I went into full time ministry with Long Island Youth for Christ, and have been working there ever since. I love the fact that my job is working with teenagers. I have been in youth ministry since I graduated High School in 2000. I was one of the leaders of my church youth group for the four years I was in college. After graduating college I went into full time ministry with Long Island Youth for Christ, and have been working there ever since.

One of the things I love about working with teens is being able to give them an opportunity to be kids and be comfortable with who they are. So often kids get caught up with school work and other things that they don't get to have some time to just be "kids". It's great to be able to provide an outlet for them to be themselves and minister to them at the same time. It's so important to let each student be who God has made them to be and minister to them where they are at. One of the things I love about working with teens is being able to give them an opportunity to be kids and be comfortable with who they are. So often kids get caught up with school work and other things that they don't get to have some time to just be "kids". It's great to be able to provide an outlet for them to be themselves and minister to them at the same time. It's so important to let each student be who God has made them to be and minister to them where they are at.

I find that my work with the kids always stretches my faith. I am constantly amazed by the faith of the students I work with, which in turn strengthens my own faith. I am especially blessed by the students who come to know Christ for the first time. It's so refreshing to experience the simple faith that they have. It encourages me to get back to the basics of my faith and not let things of the world define my relationship with Christ! I find that my work with the kids always stretches my faith. I am constantly amazed by the faith of the students I work with, which in turn strengthens my own faith. I am especially blessed by the students who come to know Christ for the first time. It's so refreshing to experience the simple faith that they have. It encourages me to get back to the basics of my faith and not let things of the world define my relationship with Christ!

I really believe that it's all about pointing students toward Christ. I am just a tool that God uses to watch after the students for a short time each week. Whether it's through a talk that I give at a meeting or at McDonalds one afternoon, my goal is to love them like Jesus does and show them the way to Christ. I really believe that it's all about pointing students toward Christ. I am just a tool that God uses to watch after the students for a short time each week. Whether it's through a talk that I give at a meeting or at McDonalds one afternoon, my goal is to love them like Jesus does and show them the way to Christ.

Stephanie Bambino Long Island Youth for Christ

If you would like to correspond with Stephanie ... recently married Stephanie ... congratulations !!!, please write to: TimFerguson@christianyouthgroup.org.

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9 Youth Retreats

Warmest and heartiest greetings to you in the propitious name of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.

So far as our respective ministry and its associated service oriented activities are concerned, besides our valuable and precious Gospel work for the last nine years at our operational areas, at this junctures, it is the privilege and honor for me for which I would like to introduce something about myself that I am Pastor Anandbabu Ravuri, age 29 and recently got married, was being rendered our services with utmost faithfulness, commitment and determination. God had given us abundant strength and valor in order to spread the Gospel more vehemently in many more new areas and villages, where the word of God had not been reached so far. In this aspect, still more, a lot is to be done like anything. Presently we are maintaining 50 churches with 50 pastors.

As regards to youth, previously, we undertaken some specific programmes on youth and youth retreats in order to bring them to the path of Lord Jesus Christ. We have also given specific focus and emphasis exclusively on the youth, to this extent, as a part of our routine endeavors, we used to visit different colleges and we would give valuable preachings to them by being imbibed and inculcated right ways and principles in their minds and hearts and accordingly, we are going a head and also seen some sustainable results through our efforts. And also, we have conducted some youth retreats in the college campuses by being invited an eminent and distinguished speakers and really with their valuable and thought provoking preachings, so many youngsters have been turned towards the Lord. For this, we will be always very thankful to God.

Note: brother, with fair outlook, we do ourselves feel and believing that it is good enough for us to have a strong affinity and fellowship with you and accordingly, we would like to take up great ventures on welfare and wellbeing of youngsters here in India and our ultimate goal and objective is to bring them to the Lord. We do hope you may react peacefully and understand our concerns in this aspect with kind outlook and with broader perspective.

Please pray for us as we pray for you. Convey my good regards to one and all. We shall await for your further kind response with hopefully and prayerfully.

Pastor Anandbabu Ravuri, Christian Living Ministries,
India

Thank you for sharing with us, Pastor Anandbabu Ravuri We hope and look forward to some of your young people sharing with us their experiences, what they like and what activities have been meaningful to them.

If you wish to write to Pastor Ravuri, please send your message to: TimFerguson@christianyouthgroup.org. and it will be posted on this website. Pastor Ravuri will be notified of the posting. Let's start sharing with one another.

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More activity ideas ... more ideas ... Click here: Activities that are fun and teach the gospel?

10 In the Eyes of the Lord ...

Yes, I like the group activities I got from your website.. I was contemplating trying either Fruits of the Spirit or Trust and Prayer.. I agree that praying out in front of a crowd can be hard, where people suddenly cant find the words to say.. But then again most people somehow try practicing with the right words when its actually something that should come out of the heart at that point..

A little about myself and my church. I'm Jullian Victor, as you may already know. I attend a church called New Creation Revival Centre (NCRC). It isn't a very big church, as there aren't too many big churches in Malaysia anyway, as its a Muslim country, though we have all nationalities living in perfect harmony. It certainly is a joy being in a country where Muslims, Chinese, Indians and other races and religions live together in peace. Its also a challenge and an honour, because us Christians here have a bigger battlefield, with the battle of course, trying to save the non-believers. I'd say the least of us are Christians, but of course, it is also the least of us who are blessed, and the least of us who are actually serving a living God, and it is the least of us hand-picked by God to bring people to His Kingdom. And I'd scream an Amen to that anyday, anytime! I, by the way, am an Indian by race.. Indians are also the least of all other races in the country :)

Our church has 2 services, one in English and another in Tamil for the none English-speaking crowd. Together, I'd say its a total of only 250 people maybe. Yes, we're a small church but in the eyes of the Lord, we're big. Our youths aren't many as well, with a strong average attendance for our Youth Service at about 15 only.. Yes, besides the usual service, we have a Youth Service, run by youths, for youths. Our pastors rarely intervene, but are always there participating as youths :) We sometimes get them to preach or teach.. Our Youth Leader himself is a testimony. He was a Muslim, lost and confused. He found peace and the truth in our Lord and today, he has tromendoes zeal for the Lord.. He was born again with the name Philip, and he's 26 years young. I am his assistant, 25 years old.. I was born a Christian, but I'd say only a luke-warm one, attended church regularly but was still lost and couldn't save myself, let alone another soul. I consider myself properly saved when I joined this church, that was less than 3 years ago. Today I am much stronger in the Lord, but everyday is a learning process. I am currently persuing a Degree in Bible Theology, with the Lifesprings Ministries of the USA, but based here through notes and syllabus from the USA itself. For me, nobody should stop learning, not even a teacher or pastor, because when it comes to the Word of God, as I know and believe that the Bible is an unfinished business. I believe there's still more revelation in it that we have not discovered. It isn't just everything in it that we read, or books by other great authors. There's still more that God is just waiting to reveal, with the Holy Spirit to guide us.

Jullian Victor
Malaysia

Editor's Note: Thank you for sharing with us, Jullian. You may describe your church of 250 as "small" but that is what our church here in New York used to be. Now it is half that size though our youth group of about 20 young people remains strong. It is a great challenge for we youth leaders to energize our young people to continue to grow in their faith even when their youth group years are ending. We hope and look forward to some of your young people sharing with us their experiences, what they like and what activities have been meaningful to them.

If you wish to write to Jullian, who has corresponded with us a lot, please send your message to: TimFerguson@christianyouthgroup.org. and it will be posted on this website. Jullian will be notified.

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11 Godfrey's Mission

The recent days have been tight with mission schedules. The mission to Northern Uganda (Arua) was very fruitful and we obtained the biggest ever registered number of converts in one mission, to Jesus Christ. Over 2000 souls gave their lives to Christ.

The area we were in was occupied by around 80% Muslims. Itís near the border of Uganda and Sudan. We worked with various pastors, visited many communities and camps, hospitals and prisons, nursing schools. God was gracious to us that we were allowed by the District Residence Commissar to conduct public gospel gatherings even after the ban of such due to Meningitis outbreak. All schools were closed and all public meetings banned, but glory to God when we stepped into that land, the RDC invited me and some of our staff to bless his office with prayer to God and granted us permission to conduct public meetings all over - Praise be to God. We also got opportunity to minister the gospel through their fm radio stations and only TV station where many sent in their contacts on making a personal decision to follow Christ. I was greatly moved and humbled to see what God can do. I will send you some pictures of this mission.

I am glad to hear that the 30 Hour Famine went well. We were in agreement in the spirit with you, as I had pledged to you. The program sounds to have been so great. Wish one day I can join you in person. I am also glad that you liked the letters from our youths. There are more who would like to send you their letters and possibly stay in touch with your youths, if they will. I am grateful to God for having connected you with us - how great it is to share with a family across the surging seas in another part of the world.

We are so happy and excited to be on your website. I will also send you my personal testimony of how God miraculously saved my life from one of the most fatal accidents in the history of Uganda where about 60 died and I walked out alive. God is great. This testimony has changed many lives from the time it happened. I have written a book about it, and will publish it in the near future to bless more people all over. Many among us have amazing testimonies on how God has worked for them, that has strengthened them and given them a stronger reason to serve the Lord, with 100% absolute will.

I am glad that your youths were touched by the conditions of the people in Uganda. One day, I pray the Lord will enable a part of you to come to Uganda for a mission with us and we can visit and be a blessing to the people here together. We also raise food stuffs for the hungry, clothes for the unclothed, and other items to donate to the needy. It's a very touching and heartbreaking experience whenever we go deep down to villages/communities to share Christ's love. These are some of the most ignored and unreached places, many go through different untold levels of sufferings, human degradation. In the Arua mission, on the last Sunday, we all broke into tears after I had shared in one church service and a lady came up to testify of how our mission changed her life. She sleeps outside in the bushes (unsheltered); her parents died; she was without clothes, no food and other problems. We helped her to get to know Christ's love for her life, got her clothes and asked one of the hosting pastors whether he could provide her with accommodation - he was so pleased to do so. We pledged to raise some little money among ourselves to send to her to help her get started with something to get her life on track.

We are currently raising funds for upcoming missions ñ itís quite a great challenge for us, and please keep praying for our mission organization in that direction.

Our young people also yearn to keep in touch with your youths and share lots more. Surely, you will always be in our thoughts and prayers - please we will be glad to receive any prayer requests from you and pray for you. I am really happy and excited for our friendship and I bless the Lord for that.
Hope to hear from you soon.

Godfrey Mawa, Director
Commission International Ministries

If you would like to write to Godfrey, who has had a committed and adventuresome ministry in Northern Uganda, please write to: TimFerguson@christianyouthgroup.org. We will notify Godfrey of your message.

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12 Being with youth is fun!

How did it happen? How did a middle-aged man with no kids of his own end up taking on a semi-leadership position with a church youth group? I didnít even get along with teenagers when I was one! I was one of those kids that got picked on through most of adolescence.

Basically, I backed into it. When one of my oldest friends organized our church youth group, he asked me to help out with one or two activities. Judging an Olympic event here - offering transportation there. And that remained my level of involvement for the first few years. But I found I enjoyed the company of the kids. And gradually, 'stopping by once in a while on a Sunday night if I had nothing else to do' turned into 'being there every Sunday night unless I had a prior commitment.'

To my surprise, I realized that youth group was no longer something I did to help out my friend. It had become an important part of my life. What I get out of it is far more than what I put into it.

Being with youth is fun! Talking to them invigorates me, makes me feel younger and fresher. They are open, they say whatís on their mind. I have loved developing a rapport with them. And their commitment to doing good work is an inspiration. My own faith and commitment are deeper because of my contact with these fine, caring young people.

Our entire church is stronger and spiritually stronger because of this youth group. I'm proud to be a small part of it.

Frank Tangredi
Deer Park Presbyterian Church

If you would like to write to Frank, I know he would love to hear from you. He has been working in Youth Ministry with us for many years. He can be contacted at: TimFerguson@christianyouthgroup.org.

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More ideas ...

try our newly formed website .... Not the Same Old, Done-it-before Youth Meetings: Site Two at ...

13 Dawn Watch

Dear Tim,

Your suggestions were helpful and I know it would be fun...thank you so much.

What you said about a non-athletic competition was also our idea but we would also include challenging games that requires both mind and body. We would have a challenge that would need them to evangelize the local people and encourage them to join the culminating program. The event is just overnight. We are not looking for two days or more because we the youth officers are college students and schedules might conflict.

We would have a meeting tomorrow and a place inspection for the event that would happen this October. The place is mountainous and it has falls with monkeys on the trees. Well, the place was quite fitting for the event.

We would love to be your Bible pen pals. Something is the same in us...the faith of Jesus Christ.

I would send our photos to you maybe in my next email...thank you so much brother...may God bless us all... Ulyssis, the Philippines

Ulyssis
Philippines

Thank you for sharing with us and we really look forward to hearing from your youth and yourself. If you would like to correspond with Ulyssis and hear more about those sandy beaches in the Philippines as well as how God is working with young people in that country, please write to: TimFerguson@christianyouthgroup.org. Ulyssis will be notified of your correspondence which will also be posted on this website. Looking forward to hearing from you. \

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How about a retreat to the Philippines!

Friends	Philippine Fun	Faith in the Philippines

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