Youth

I’m Anita Grue, the Youth Ministry Coordinator in room 228, and I invite the youth to drop in anytime. My door is always open or I can be reached at 257-3577 ext. 344.

Youth ministry is about families and relationships. Faith is formed in personal trusted relationships and it usually happens in the home. Youth ministry will nurture healthy family relations and help households consider their values, meaning, and hope that will lead them into a faith-filled future. Through research done at The Youth and Family Institute of Augsburg College, it is evident that there are four keys that can nurture healthy relationships and faith. Those keys are caring conversations, family rituals and traditions, family devotional life, and intergenerational service to others that convey the beliefs, values, and lifestyle of their home.

These four keys have become the new way to provide youth and family ministry in congregations.
The purpose of youth ministry is to help youth believe and understand life in Jesus Christ. A recent study by Search Institute in Minneapolis, MN, asked youth of mainline churches to identify the five top religious influences in their lives. Parents ranked as the single most powerful influence in shaping faith. The study emphasizes the role of relationships as a whole in faith formation, and helps provide a clear picture of the path to effective youth and family ministry. Young people grow in faith when these four elements support their faith development: parents, other caring adults, peers, and significant retreat/servant/camp events. You can’t be a Christian by yourself. Christianity is a communal religion.

Bethel’s youth ministry is for youth in grades 7 through 12 and their peers. Many events are planned throughout the year for youth to grow in their faith. We recognize that kids come from varied backgrounds and we strive to provide a safe, non-judgmental environment for young people to ask questions and share their stories. All are welcome.

Another key factor in youth ministry is to have a balanced program. The youth events offered throughout the year will include worship, outreach, learning, and fellowship. I extend an invitation to you to serve on the Youth Advisory Board and help make this happen. The board usually meets at 6:00 pm. on the first Tuesday of each month in the library at Bethel.