I am in the process of coordinating a Young Adult Ministry (ages 21-35) in my local church and wanted to gain insight and advice from others who that already have a successful ministry in place.

-- Anonymous, December 14, 2001

Answers

Mr. Jerry Turner (St. Mark AME Church - Milwaukee, WI) has been a ppointed by Bishop Cousin (4th District) to organize the Young Adult Network for the district. I am sure if you contact him he will share with you all of the information he has. They have met a number of time ans and are planning quarterly sessions around the 4th District. They will be meeting in November in Toronto (Canada).

-- Anonymous, December 17, 2001

To my friend Rev. Gregory Wilson I am waiting to hear from you and I am glad to see you are doing well and working with the YAN. I know Mr. Turner and I know he will do a fine job with this ministry. Bishop Cousin Began a YAN ministry while herer in the First District that ios still growing strong today. I am prayerful that every Episcopal District will begin a YAN ministry because I am convinced that it will be a blessing to the local church and African Methodism as a whole.

-- Anonymous, December 17, 2001

Sis. Tracee, Let me applaud you for starting this work in your local church I am sure you will fine that it will be a worthwhile cause.You may even want to look at ages 18-39 just an idea. If I can be of any help please feel free to contact me.

-- Anonymous, December 17, 2001

Sis. Tracee and others on the board, I greet you in the name of our Savior who was born that we might live! One popular thing that we began in our church for Young Adults was an ensemble. It started from there and we had special events thereafter. Also, the Single's Ministry had socials every quarter. As a married couple in that age group (18-39), my husband and I began having Family Ministry for the church, which targeted young families to share together. It took off! As a matter of fact, the young men in the age group doubled in size shortly thereafter. So, there are a few ideas.

Young Adult Network can be a powerful tool for evangelism and church growth. We have to always remember to do as Jesus did: 1. Meet people where there need is 2. minister to the need 3. Offer them the blessing of abundant life. God bless you all in the holiday season!

-- Anonymous, December 17, 2001

Pastor Nelson, best wishes to you. Sis. Tracee, having only been in Canada a little over 9 months. We have a congregation where a large percentage are made up of the age group you are working with. As they meet and share their desires I will share them with you. One of the things I have done was begin to have them to serve as officers in the church or officers in training. In some cases I have formed new ministries to empower them to serve.

-- Anonymous, December 17, 2001

The AME Christian Education Dept may be of assistance to you. Check it out at: http://www.ameced.com/index2.html

Blessings,

Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, December 19, 2001

Rev. Nelson, I have considered your suggestion of extending the age to 18 - 39. Thanks!

-- Anonymous, December 19, 2001

Just an update. The problem that we are facing is that there are only 3 people between 18-39 that are active and come to my church. The congragation is more mature but we have several members who are (18- 39) but do not come on a regular bases and we are attempting to bring them back into the church, regularly. I have spoken with several of them, one on one, and they have expressed thier frustrations to me. I came up with the Young Adult ministry as away that maybe they would want to participate and come to church instead of venturing off to another church, as some has done. I was surprised to hear that the AME church in the 1st and 4th district have an YAN. I am in the 2nd district. Maybe the information is passed down, I dont know but I am glad to hear that someone else is working on the same problem. Please keep me in your prayers. Thanks.

-- Anonymous, December 19, 2001