REACH
"What tools or organizations could we suggest or maybe even partner with to help us learn more about how to help our students become missional?"
The following are some suggested resources:
Church of God Ministry Provided Tools:
360 Revolution— As I open my eyes to the people around me, looking 360 degrees, where is God calling me? Who is he putting on my heart? Pray for 3 people 6 times a week and miss 0 (zero) opportunities. It’s simple and it works. Go to the Church of God Web site to learn more:
www.chog.org/Ministries/YouthMinistries/360Revolution/tabid/275/Default.aspx
Chogy.org— Other ideas are available through the National Youth Ministry Web site that are mostly free or extremely low cost to you. Go to Youth Ministry Resources Free and Recommended stuff, and browse around. All of the ideas presented here have been tried and recommended by other Church of God youth pastors and leaders.
The 5 Principle Training System— The 5 Principle Training System was developed with the belief that these five principles apply across all cultures. In January 2008, the principles were piloted with leaders in Africa. The dream for this system is that it will be a tool that local, state/provincial, regional, and national leaders everywhere can use. Feel free to use these to teach and train your leaders.
Spread the Word is a missions program designed to enable North American Church of God youth to spread the Kingdom around the globe through financial giving. Included with the ideas of “offering” something back to God is a series of lessons designed to teach the “whys” of our need to share the Gospel. These are 18 lessons that can be downloaded free at www.chog.org.
Marked by Love— by former YMT member Todd Lovelace Helping students become an influence in their world. www.Tatepublishing.com
Campus Ministry Para-Church Organizations:
It is often beneficial to partner with an already established campus organization There are several reasons this is a good idea:
- One: most schools don’t like churches on their campuses because of the competitive nature of churches. What the school does for one, they feel like they have to do for all; so the policy against churches is so that they do not have to deal with that conflict.
- Two: another reason to connect with an already established ministry is that it keeps you from having to do one more thing. You don’t have to be in charge and plan, promote, teach, etc. for something else. You may have a piece of the process as a volunteer, but it beats having to do it all!
- Three: you might not think of this initially, but it helps you to not always think about just your church and establishing your own kingdom. It forces you to think in terms of the big Kingdom and working together with other organizations. Campus ministry is not happening enough on our school campuses, and it is arguably one of the most important things we can do when working with teenagers.
- Find out what organizations are present on your campus.
- Contact the point person of that organization to see if there is an opportunity for you to play a part.
- Be consistent in your service to that organization.
Below we’ve listed several para-church organizations that are active across North America. Investigate and consider partnering with the one that is investing in reaching students where you live.
FCA: The Fellowship of Christian Athletes—The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is touching millions of lives...one heart at a time. Since 1954, FCA has been challenging coaches and athletes on the professional, college, high school, junior high, and youth levels to use the powerful medium of athletics to impact the world for Jesus Christ. FCA is the largest Christian sports organization in America. It focuses on serving local communities by equipping, empowering, and encouraging people to make a difference for Christ. http://www.fca.org
First Priority—http://www.fpoa.org—FIRST PRIORITY of America exists to resource, mentor, and guide cities and communities as they implement the FIRST PRIORITY ministry strategy. Each regional network is uniquely designed to reach the culture around them. FIRST PRIORITY has been effectively established in urban, suburban, and rural cities and communities.
Young Life—works alongside local churches to take the Gospel to kids all over the United States and around the world. They share the desire of local congregations who are committed to bringing the Gospel to the kids in their communities. http://www.younglife.org/us
Youth for Christ—http://www.yfc.net/Brix?pageID=2941—“Youth For Christ reaches young people everywhere, working together with the local church and other likeminded partners to raise up lifelong followers of Jesus who lead by their Godliness in lifestyle, devotion to the word of God and prayer, passion for sharing the love of Christ and commitment to social involvement.”
Independent Para-Church Ministry Organizations:
Aquire the Fire—www.aquirethefire.com—Acquire The Fire is a 27-hour, life-transforming event built around bringing volume and clarity to God's voice in the lives of teenagers.
Believe Conference—for middle school students, as a part of Christ In Youth’s outreach to the student generation. CIY amplifies the call of Christ on student lives to become kingdom workers through events, trips and resources. http://www.ciy.com
Dare to Share—Mobilizing teenagers to relationally and relentlessly reach their generation for Christ. http://www.dare2share.org
Jesus Focused Youth Ministry—is a part of Reach Out Youth Solutions. This organization is focused on equipping and empowering youth leaders and students to actively reach out with their faith, in doing as well as being. http://www.reach-out.org
See You At the Pole—http://www.syatp.com/home
The Seven Project—http://www.thesevenproject.com
Book Resources:
Becoming a Contagious Christian—In Becoming a Contagious Christian (youth edition), you will discover why we are called to be Contagious Christians, how authenticity, compassion and sacrifice help us relate to seekers and how to clearly share the gospel with those you love. This resource is designed for Sunday school, small group, and individual study.
Shaped by God's Heart—This book is about the Passion and Practices of Missional Churches. This book has study guide questions after each chapter and is easy to read and challenging to apply in a class or small group setting.
REACH
"What tools or organizations could we suggest or maybe even partner with to help us learn more about how to help our students become missional?"
The following are some suggested resources:
Church of God Ministry Provided Tools:
360 Revolution— As I open my eyes to the people around me, looking 360 degrees, where is God calling me? Who is he putting on my heart? Pray for 3 people 6 times a week and miss 0 (zero) opportunities. It’s simple and it works. Go to the Church of God Web site to learn more:
www.chog.org/Ministries/YouthMinistries/360Revolution/tabid/275/Default.aspx
Chogy.org— Other ideas are available through the National Youth Ministry Web site that are mostly free or extremely low cost to you. Go to Youth Ministry Resources Free and Recommended stuff, and browse around. All of the ideas presented here have been tried and recommended by other Church of God youth pastors and leaders.
The 5 Principle Training System— The 5 Principle Training System was developed with the belief that these five principles apply across all cultures. In January 2008, the principles were piloted with leaders in Africa. The dream for this system is that it will be a tool that local, state/provincial, regional, and national leaders everywhere can use. Feel free to use these to teach and train your leaders.
Spread the Word is a missions program designed to enable North American Church of God youth to spread the Kingdom around the globe through financial giving. Included with the ideas of “offering” something back to God is a series of lessons designed to teach the “whys” of our need to share the Gospel. These are 18 lessons that can be downloaded free at www.chog.org.
Marked by Love— by former YMT member Todd Lovelace Helping students become an influence in their world. www.Tatepublishing.com
Campus Ministry Para-Church Organizations:
It is often beneficial to partner with an already established campus organization There are several reasons this is a good idea:
- One: most schools don’t like churches on their campuses because of the competitive nature of churches. What the school does for one, they feel like they have to do for all; so the policy against churches is so that they do not have to deal with that conflict.
- Two: another reason to connect with an already established ministry is that it keeps you from having to do one more thing. You don’t have to be in charge and plan, promote, teach, etc. for something else. You may have a piece of the process as a volunteer, but it beats having to do it all!
- Three: you might not think of this initially, but it helps you to not always think about just your church and establishing your own kingdom. It forces you to think in terms of the big Kingdom and working together with other organizations. Campus ministry is not happening enough on our school campuses, and it is arguably one of the most important things we can do when working with teenagers.
- Find out what organizations are present on your campus.
- Contact the point person of that organization to see if there is an opportunity for you to play a part.
- Be consistent in your service to that organization.
Below we’ve listed several para-church organizations that are active across North America. Investigate and consider partnering with the one that is investing in reaching students where you live.
FCA: The Fellowship of Christian Athletes—The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is touching millions of lives...one heart at a time. Since 1954, FCA has been challenging coaches and athletes on the professional, college, high school, junior high, and youth levels to use the powerful medium of athletics to impact the world for Jesus Christ. FCA is the largest Christian sports organization in America. It focuses on serving local communities by equipping, empowering, and encouraging people to make a difference for Christ. http://www.fca.org
First Priority—http://www.fpoa.org—FIRST PRIORITY of America exists to resource, mentor, and guide cities and communities as they implement the FIRST PRIORITY ministry strategy. Each regional network is uniquely designed to reach the culture around them. FIRST PRIORITY has been effectively established in urban, suburban, and rural cities and communities.
Young Life—works alongside local churches to take the Gospel to kids all over the United States and around the world. They share the desire of local congregations who are committed to bringing the Gospel to the kids in their communities. http://www.younglife.org/us
Youth for Christ—http://www.yfc.net/Brix?pageID=2941—“Youth For Christ reaches young people everywhere, working together with the local church and other likeminded partners to raise up lifelong followers of Jesus who lead by their Godliness in lifestyle, devotion to the word of God and prayer, passion for sharing the love of Christ and commitment to social involvement.”
Independent Para-Church Ministry Organizations:
Aquire the Fire—www.aquirethefire.com—Acquire The Fire is a 27-hour, life-transforming event built around bringing volume and clarity to God's voice in the lives of teenagers.
Believe Conference—for middle school students, as a part of Christ In Youth’s outreach to the student generation. CIY amplifies the call of Christ on student lives to become kingdom workers through events, trips and resources. http://www.ciy.com
Dare to Share—Mobilizing teenagers to relationally and relentlessly reach their generation for Christ. http://www.dare2share.org
Jesus Focused Youth Ministry—is a part of Reach Out Youth Solutions. This organization is focused on equipping and empowering youth leaders and students to actively reach out with their faith, in doing as well as being. http://www.reach-out.org
See You At the Pole—http://www.syatp.com/home
The Seven Project—http://www.thesevenproject.com
Book Resources:
Becoming a Contagious Christian—In Becoming a Contagious Christian (youth edition), you will discover why we are called to be Contagious Christians, how authenticity, compassion and sacrifice help us relate to seekers and how to clearly share the gospel with those you love. This resource is designed for Sunday school, small group, and individual study.
Shaped by God's Heart—This book is about the Passion and Practices of Missional Churches. This book has study guide questions after each chapter and is easy to read and challenging to apply in a class or small group setting.