I am fairly new to the AME church and I have been increasingly concerned about the ministry to youth within the AME church. I am from the 12th District in Arkansas, but the only thing I see occuring for youth is the YPD which basically trains them for positions and not ministry. Is there a way to bridge the gap between training for positions and doing ministry. I must admit that I entered the ministry as a pre-teen and worked my whole career thus far helping the ministry, but there are some where the very idea of ministry does not exist and YPD'ers just exist? Could someone please help me in this area?

-- Anonymous, August 07, 2000

Answers

Rev. Neal There are two organizations that come to mind right away and they are found in Part XII of our discipline: #1-The Sons of Allen and #2-The RAYC(The Richard Alen Youth Council). Interestingly enough, (although not called for in the discipline), there are Women's Fellowships operating using the basic format of the Sons of Allen. Hope this has been helpful. God Bless you and your wife in your ministry!

-- Anonymous, August 07, 2000

Also there is the Allen Christian Fellowship, which is found in the Discipline under the Christian Education Department. In many districts the Allen Christian Fellowship and the Richard Allen Youth Council do not exist in any form or fashion....why is this? If anyone can share any information with me as to where these organizations exist within the AME districts....in an active capacity, not just on paper, it would be greatly appreciated.

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2000

I confirm to Sister Esther that the RAYAC is established and fully functional in the 19th Episcopal District. It has actually been active since 1997, subsequent to the 45th session of the General Conference.

-- Anonymous, August 10, 2000

Rev. Neal,

Be led by the Holy Spirit. If you're being led to minister to youth, who says it has to be under a title of a group organization? At the Lord's church where I fellowship (Ebenezer AME, Brunswick MD), we do have a YPD. However, there are many other opportunities we take to minister to the youth... Youth sermons conducted by our ministers & exhorters as a part of our morning worship that speak directly to the youth on a level they can undestand, raps sessions, and (when led), ministering to youth on an individual & group basis. Just be led by the Holy Spirit.

God Bless!!

-- Anonymous, August 11, 2000

Rev. Neal--first to my mind is a Youth Bible Study. One was begun at my church and it has grown beyond expectation. The children run up to the church, enjoy it, and seem to truly appreciate it. Held Tuesdays at 5:00 for one hour. Bibles on tables and ready for each. We begin with the old song (begun while seated) "The B-I-B-L-E, yes that's the book for me. I stand (they then stand with the bible held high in their hand) on the word of God,The B-I-B-L-E." Youth need to be taught (equipped) to live to please Jesus Christ. God Bless!

-- Anonymous, October 25, 2000