John Cade at Lifeway Christian Resources wrote:

How many times have you traveled and left some important items at home? It happens to all of us from time to time. We find ourselves wasting time and resources trying to replace certain items, or we simply try to survive without them.  Sometimes, however, going without them is not an option.

This happens often in youth ministry, and you may not even realize it. Youth pastors travel far and wide to reach students, yet leave some of the most basic tools behind.  We’ve got to grab hold of the one tool that youth understand and use every day – the internet.

Many of you have no idea where to start. I constantly hear questions such as “Don’t I need to know HTML to build a website?” or “How much money will this take?” After reading this article, hopefully you will have some ideas about where to begin.  

Here are four free tools you can use on the internet to reach your students:

• Social Networks – These exist to help people connect online. Ask your students which ones they are using, and create profiles on them. This will allow you to see what your students are talking about, who they are communicating with, and keep you informed about what is relevant to their generation.  Create groups on these networks for your youth group, which will help you keep your students updated and serve as a landing page for their friends to learn more.

Recommended: Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/)

• Blogs  – A blog is one of the easiest tools to manage to inform both students and their parents. There are several websites that offer free blog accounts. Before you start writing, make sure you are being intentional. Whether it is a post about last night’s football game or a mission trip update for parents, keep it short and to the point. People don’t enjoy reading novels on screen. Write a new post a couple of times a week.

Recommended: Wordpress (http://www.wordpress.com/)

• Video Sharing – If you don’t have a video camera or can’t afford one, keep it simple. Use your cell phone or a webcam. Publishing a video is entirely free on many video sharing websites. Use funny and interesting videos to connect with your youth to make announcements, convey a spiritual message, or just give them something fun to watch.

Recommended: Vimeo (http://www.vimeo.com/)

• Photo Sharing – Like video, there are several free photo-sharing sites. Social networks let you create albums as well. Post pictures from recent youth events and share them with your students. Offering valuable content like pictures will keep them coming back often, allowing you to use the internet as a constant channel of communication.

Recommended: Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/)

Never forget that your content is up against literally everything else on the internet. What does this mean for you? You must update your accounts frequently. Set aside a time (or two or three) each week to upload to videos and pictures. If you’re using social networks, update your status a few times a day so people will know that you are active.

A piece of advice for those who are ready to jump in: don’t create more profiles than you can manage. Start by using one site for each type of media. 

Balance Resources with Personality

Perhaps the hardest part of being involved in social media is choosing what to say and when. There is no perfect formula for this. However, one recommendation I always make is to balance resources with personal updates. Yes, of course you want your students to read a daily devotion – so post one to your profiles daily. However, don’t be a robot! If you just fell out of the chair at your desk – tell them. The more personality you show, the more receptive they will be to the resources you provide. And let’s not forget – the root of what you are trying to do is taking advantage of the internet to build relationships with students. 

Tie It All Together

Each of your profiles should link back to your blog or your youth ministry website. Your blog or youth ministry website should be the portal for everything else you do online. Wordpress offers a variety of widgets that you can apply to your blog’s sidebar. Take advantage of them to offer the most content in one place as possible. This will help you equip your students to KNOW their faith, OWN their faith, and make their faith KNOWN online.
 

John Cade

John Cade is the Internet Producer for LifeWay Student Ministry.  He can be reached by phone at 615.251.2842 or by email at john.cade@lifeway.com. He loves talking shop about the internet and helping youth pastors use it more effectively, so do not hesitate to contact him

Adolescents and even preadolescents today are engaging in all kinds of sexual experiences, and they are doing it at younger ages than ever before. These students live in a world obsessed with sex, where sex is expected and sex is no big deal. With these influences, more and more teens will likely become involved in the tragedy of teenage sexual addiction.

For some teens sexually addictive behavior may be confined to constant thoughts about sex; for others, it may go a step further and result in compulsive masturbation, extensive use of Internet pornography (cyber sex), or calling toll numbers to hear explicit sex talk (phone sex). For others the addiction can lead to illegal activities such as voyeurism (observing others in nude or seminude situations from a secret vantage point, a Peeping Tom), exhibitionism (exposing ones genitals to others), inappropriately touching others, or even rape. ¹

SIGNS OF SEXUAL ADDICTION
As with any addiction or compulsive behavior, there are warning signs. These red flags should not be ignored. The following list includes many of the warning signs that are prevalent among students dealing with sexual addiction:

• Frequently telling sexual jokes or making sexual comments or innuendos 
  Engaging in sexual activity-especially with several partners 
• Spending considerable time in activities that could lead to sexual activity such as cruising for potential partners or spending hours online in chat rooms trying to hook up with others 
• Visiting pornographic websites or looking at pornographic magazines, books, or videos 
• Neglecting obligations such as work, school, or family in pursuit of sexual activity 
• Continuing to engage in illicit sexual behavior despite the negative consequences related to such activities 
• Escalating the scope or frequency of sexual activity to achieve a desired effect, such as more frequent visits to Web sites or sex with more partners 
• Frequently isolating themselves from parents and friends and not informing others of their whereabouts 
• Getting angry if someone shows concern or questions them about sex or their use of pornography 
• Feeling irritable when unable to engage in some sort of sexual activity for a long period of time 
• Making telephone calls with an 800 or a 900 prefix
• Becoming increasingly dishonest with other people ²

Those who work with sex addicts say that when someone meets three or more of the above criteria, that person has a problem with sexual addiction and needs intervention. Be aware of these signs, and ensure that parents of teens are familiar with them as well.

PREVENTION-THE BEST CURE
You are no doubt familiar with the old adage, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” That is certainly true with issues related to sex. Discussing sex with teenagers is not something that should be avoided. In fact, avoiding the subject will not make the questions and curiosity go away; it will probably only lead to more curiosity, which could lead to experimentation, promiscuity, and possibly addiction in some students.

When you are discussing matters related to sex in a youth group setting, make sure parents know what is being discussed and keep them informed. In addition, lead them in discussions about talking with their students about sex. True Love Waits® should also be an annual emphasis calling teens, as well as their parents, to sexual purity. Sex education from a biblical perspective should be the task of parents, but it should also be reinforced in the church.

In addition, here are some strategies to use with students in your church and to encourage your parents to use as tools of prevention:

• Encourage them to commit to using their eyes to look only at pure and wholesome things.
• Challenge them to commit to praying daily that God would protect them from sexual temptation.
• Ask them to find members of the same sex who are committed to purity to meet on a consistent basis and hold one another accountable.
• Challenge youth to memorize Scripture related to temptation such as 1 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 2:18; Psalm 119:9-11; and others. ³

AN IMPORTANT ROLE
Remember that addicts of any kind do not generally seek help on their own. More often than not, they are forced into getting help when a loved one is concerned about them, when a serious consequence is imminent, or by a court of law after an offense has been committed. While some addicts do not realize they have a problem, others do but believe they can and will stop. Unfortunately, they usually find it impossible to do so.

When dealing with any kind of addiction, it is also wise to know your limits. Since it is unlikely that you are trained in dealing with addictive behaviors, it is necessary to rely on others who are. It is always good to know Christian psychologists or others in your community who can either help you or refer you to the appropriate help a student may need.

You have a valuable role in helping students identify this problem, assisting them in finding help to deal with this crisis and supporting the individual and his or her family through the process as God directs you.

1 – Michael Herkov, Mark S. Gold, and Drew W. Edwards, “What Is Sexual Addiction?” Dr. John Grohol’s Psych Central [online] 6 February 2001 [accessed 22 June 2006] Available from Internet: psychcentral.com/ library/sexaddict_intro.htm.

2 – Michael Herkov, Mark S. Gold, and Drew W. Edwards, “Symptoms of Sexual Addiction,” Dr. John Grohol’s Psych Central [online] 6 February 2001 [accessed 22 June 2005]. Available from Internet: psychcentral.com/ library/sexaddict_intro.htm.

3 – “Teen Sex Addiction,” Porn-Free.org [online] [accessed 22 June 2005]. Available from Internet: www. pornfree.org/teen_sex.htm.

Dr. Tan Flippin is an Associate Professor of Christian Education and Director of Student Services at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Germantown, TN

Man, I’m so sad that the Simply Conference is over and I have to say goodbye to Chi-Town!  I met soooooo many great people and I can’t wait until 2011!!!!  I loved all of the stories, jokes, and experiences!  To all my homies in the Urban Tracks, you guys are my HEROS!!!  It was just a great time.  For those of you asking about my favorite products, please check out www.simplyyouthministry.com.  I ‘m going to spend the next week doing a review of my favorite products and the ones that works the most in urban settings!  Thanks so much!!

One Love,

PJ

If you came last your and loved it, this year is going to be even better!  Yo, there is a new URBAN TRACK, that is going to be HOT!!!!!!  You need to check it out!!!!!

www.simplyyouthministry.com

Written by Bill Wade

There are more than 250,000 college students involved in Southern Baptist churches and campus-based collegiate ministries. Of this total, more than 16,000 have indicated they feel God’s call to a full-time Christian vocation. 

These future national, church, and denominational leaders must be given opportunities to develop basic leadership skills and use their spiritual gifts. Therefore, they must also have opportunities to develop basic leadership skills and use their spiritual gifts.

There are boundless opportunities for collegiates to experience such growth within your church’s student ministry. Many college students feel they live in a world in which there are few ways they can truly make a difference. As a result, many become spectators in an adult world; and we, in turn, criticize them for being lazy and uninvolved. Moreover, churches are guilty of not expecting and not challenging this emerging generation to invest in Kingdom growth. Yet, there are wise churches that have tapped into this incredible spiritual resource.

These churches have stressed the importance of college students being involved in the total life experience of the local church. They encourage students to serve in the church’s worship, children’s ministry, student ministry, outreach, and serving ministries. They urge them to be involved in teaching Sunday School and discipleship groups. This involvement helps college students define and develop their spiritual gifts and leadership abilities. These lessons in church leadership help them see where God may use them in the local church, regardless of their vocational choice.

It’s important to realize that the most likely ministry in which to involve college students is your church’s ministry to teens. There are several very legitimate reasons this is a natural fit.

1. College students are in tune with the cultural norms for communication, fashion, music, art, and so forth. They understand the thinking patterns and social axioms of students. This is critical if we are to reach youth for salvation and ongoing discipleship.
2. Involving college students in youth ministry provides a seamless transition from high school to college. If strong interpersonal relationships can be established between college students and teens during the later stages of the teens’ involvement in the student ministry, it ensures an easier transition into the collegiate or young adult ministry. If the graduate moves away, the chances of him searching for church involvement and relationships similar to those they have experienced the past few years greatly increase.
3. A benefit of involving collegiates in student ministry is the duplication process of transforming discipleship. Because of a college student’s investment, students mature in their faith walks. These former youth can duplicate the discipleship process with students in the church’s current student ministry.
4. College students can establish mentoring relationships with two or three students in your ministry. Mentoring will help collegiates honestly evaluate their own strengths and weaknesses as disciples.

As you involve collegians in the life of your student ministry, be careful in evaluating their level of involvement. They will have an incredible influence on the lives of those students entrusted to them. It would be wise to pursue students exhibiting the following characteristics:

• exhibits a vital, growing, personal relationship with Christ;
• life reflects strong commitment to discipleship;
• attends worship regularly;
• a student of God’s Word;demonstrates the ability to make wise decisions;
• exhibits high ethical and moral standards;
• has strong communication skills;
• relates well to peers;
• has demonstrated an interest in cultivating relationships with youth;
• works well with adults.

Involving college students in your student ministry is not without its risks. Remember, these are young leaders at the beginning of their leadership journeys. They will have a ton of questions and will, like you and me, sometimes make poor decisions. The rewards, however, will last for all eternity as you and they invest in God’s plan for redeeming a fallen world.

Bill Wade has been successful in ministering to collegiates and in involving them in meaningful ministry projects as a way to mentor students. He has guided students to use their gifts in ministry and in serving others.

There are more than 250,000 college students involved in Southern Baptist churches and campus-based collegiate ministries. Of this total, more than 16,000 have indicated they feel God’s call to a full-time Christian vocation. 

These future national, church, and denominational leaders must be given opportunities to develop basic leadership skills and use their spiritual gifts. Therefore, they must also have opportunities to develop basic leadership skills and use their spiritual gifts.

There are boundless opportunities for collegiates to experience such growth within your church’s student ministry. Many college students feel they live in a world in which there are few ways they can truly make a difference. As a result, many become spectators in an adult world; and we, in turn, criticize them for being lazy and uninvolved. Moreover, churches are guilty of not expecting and not challenging this emerging generation to invest in Kingdom growth. Yet, there are wise churches that have tapped into this incredible spiritual resource.

These churches have stressed the importance of college students being involved in the total life experience of the local church. They encourage students to serve in the church’s worship, children’s ministry, student ministry, outreach, and serving ministries. They urge them to be involved in teaching Sunday School and discipleship groups. This involvement helps college students define and develop their spiritual gifts and leadership abilities. These lessons in church leadership help them see where God may use them in the local church, regardless of their vocational choice.

It’s important to realize that the most likely ministry in which to involve college students is your church’s ministry to teens. There are several very legitimate reasons this is a natural fit.

1.      College students are in tune with the cultural norms for communication, fashion, music, art, and so forth. They understand the thinking patterns and social axioms of students. This is critical if we are to reach youth for salvation and ongoing discipleship.

2.      Involving college students in youth ministry provides a seamless transition from high school to college. If strong interpersonal relationships can be established between college students and teens during the later stages of the teens’ involvement in the student ministry, it ensures an easier transition into the collegiate or young adult ministry. If the graduate moves away, the chances of him searching for church involvement and relationships similar to those they have experienced the past few years greatly increase.

3.      A benefit of involving collegiates in student ministry is the duplication process of transforming discipleship. Because of a college student’s investment, students mature in their faith walks. These former youth can duplicate the discipleship process with students in the church’s current student ministry.

4.      College students can establish mentoring relationships with two or three students in your ministry. Mentoring will help collegiates honestly evaluate their own strengths and weaknesses as disciples.

As you involve collegians in the life of your student ministry, be careful in evaluating their level of involvement. They will have an incredible influence on the lives of those students entrusted to them. It would be wise to pursue students exhibiting the following characteristics:

·         exhibits a vital, growing, personal relationship with Christ;

·         life reflects strong commitment to discipleship;

·         attends worship regularly;

·         a student of God’s Word;demonstrates the ability to make wise decisions;

·         exhibits high ethical and moral standards;

·         has strong communication skills;

·         relates well to peers;

·         has demonstrated an interest in cultivating relationships with youth;

·         works well with adults.

Involving college students in your student ministry is not without its risks. Remember, these are young leaders at the beginning of their leadership journeys. They will have a ton of questions and will, like you and me, sometimes make poor decisions. The rewards, however, will last for all eternity as you and they invest in God’s plan for redeeming a fallen world.

Graduations are milestones that cry out for recognition and celebration. Select a group of parents to help you plan and coordinate a graduation service to honor and recognize your graduates. Here are some suggestions for celebrating end-of-school graduations in your worship service.

Preparation for a graduation celebration needs to begin as soon as possible. Those most qualified to help with the planning are youth leaders, along with designated staff members.

The type of worship experience will demand research and creativity on the part of leaders and students. Materials used should not be expensive or difficult to acquire.

Organization

·         Gather an accurate list of potential graduates from high school, home school, technical training, college, university, and doctoral programs.

·         Ask information regarding the family. When students do not desire immediate family involvement, a sponsor of their choosing would be appropriate.

·         Set a date best suited for the majority. Try to avoid conflicts that would cause some to miss the emphasis. Publicize the recognition well in advance.

·         Decide whether an entire service might be given, preferably a morning service, so that it will seem significant.

·         Involve the entire church family in the recognition. Check correct pronunciation of names and facts concerning students.

·         Set up a rehearsal for the entire program.

Program/Topics

·         Gather information and share about each students’ school activities and future plans.

·         Plan a week of memories with the theme of Milestones and Memories. Ask parents to prepare short paragraph memories that have of significant milestones in their students’ lives. As each student is recognized, ask the parents to stand and share their student’s milestone memory.

·         Plan a week of activities with the theme of Leadership Legacies. Ask students to be prepared to share brief testimonies about people who have been leaders and people of influence in their lives. Continue with a leadership theme by giving students leadership roles in the service such as: leading in prayer, sharing church announcements, solo, directing the music, speaking, and so on. Gather batons for parents to pass to their students to symbolize the passing of a torch from one generation of believers to the next. Ask parents to write prayers for their teens on the batons before passing them off during the service.

·         Ask a special speaker to come in and challenge the students to look for their next mission as they leave home and go to college or as they move into the workplace. Help graduates see that there is never a moment in our Christian lives in which we have arrived – part of the journey is both continued personal discipleship and continued opportunities to serve Christ where we are.

Ask Your Graduates
Allow time during the service for students to each answer one of the following pre-arranged questions:

·         Who has influenced you most in life?

·         What has been your most memorable experience during your school year?

·         If you could buy a dream, what would you buy?

·         If you could be someone else who would you be?

·         Do you have a favorite passage of Scripture that has helped you in life?

·         What books have you read that have challenged you? 

·         Could you share a dream you have for the future of America?

·         What advice would you give to students beginning their high school or college years?

·         What would you do differently if given another shot at school?

Decorations/Displays

·         Use banners or pennants with school colors. Place students from the same school in the same area.

·         Ask students to wear their graduation caps and gowns to help set the tone to honor the graduates.

·         Document the students’ growth in life by asking parents to bring a baby picture, elementary picture, a high school picture, and college picture (if the student is graduating from college). Find an area outside the worship center to display the graduates’ pictures.

·         Prepare an audiovisual presentation of graduates participating in previous youth events. You can also include pictures of graduates gathered by their parents.

·         Include a special bulletin insert including photographs and brief biographical sketches and the students’ future plans.

Other Supporting Ideas

·         Give graduates a gift. Consider the Holman CSB Graduate’s Bible.

·         Sponsor a luncheon at the church or in a restaurant. Invite graduates, parents, and other relatives as special guests.

Graduation is an important event for your church’s students and families. Don’t let the opportunity slip by to express your pride and joy in their accomplishments

“Who’s your daddy?” can be one of those funny little sayings that students say to each other as a way of giving someone a hard time or picking on them. Today, unfortunately, it is a legitimate question for too many students in our culture. Sometimes called “millenials”, “boomer echo”, and the “Y generation,” many students in this generation have no father present in their lives.

Church leaders have an obligation to step in and not only offer training for men and fathers, but to provide living, breathing surrogates that will be willing to step in and make a difference in the life of a fatherless child. Here are some suggestions on how your church and student ministry can make an impact on those who are fatherless.

1. Accept the fact that you have fatherless students in and around your ministry.
You probably won’t even have to look very far to find them.

2. Choose to realize that the fatherless need someone to intervene in their lives.
Those kids without dads are much more likely to engage in risky behavior. They need you and others to step into their lives and offer them hope.

3. Begin praying for someone in your church or community to develop a love and passion for those who are fatherless.
Decide that you will be a resource person for them. God may not be calling you to spearhead an effort to reach the fatherless, but He is interested in the fatherless and needs someone (like you) to be willing to provide resources to others.

4. Lead the fatherless into the presence of God.
Offer opportunities through your church to reach out and change the lives of those who are fatherless. Many single mothers are looking for someone to help them out, not because they are not capable, but because their time is usually consumed with earning money for the family to simply survive.

5. Teach students in your ministry to develop a love for the fatherless.
Most of your students know at least one other student who does not know their father or have contact with him. Help teens see the importance of sharing their faith with those without one.

6. Develop a heart for the fatherless.
Set the example for others in your church and community. Ladies, if you are married, share your husband. If you are single, encourage your boyfriend or male friends to get involved in working with and reaching kids in the community.

7. Remember that not every student will welcome your involvement at first.
Many of these students have been lied to and left waiting for dad to show up, and he never came. Recognize this fact beforehand and approach your work with youth with the expectation you may not be well received.

8. Accept that you are not the savior.
Christ has been, is, and always will be the only Savior. The fatherless only need on Savior, and it is our goal as student ministry leaders to introduce them to the King of kings.

9. Realize that there will be some fatherless students whom you will not be able to reach.
Realize that reaching the fatherless is a two-way street – students have to be willing to be reached and nurtured at some point. Do not become weary in well-doing in reaching out to the fatherless.

10. Have couples involved in your ministry in leadership roles.
Students need to see a healthy husband and wife relationship. Enlist couples who like one another and who get along with each other. Create opportunities for fathers to be involved in ministry even if they are not the upfront leaders.

Businesses have figured out that the Hispanic buying power represents a new market opportunity. They are developing new strategies, products, marketing messages, and hiring Hispanic personnel to help encourage Hispanics to visit their stores or to purchase their products. Businesses have looked at a growing market and have determined to have a strategy to meet the needs of the Hispanics.

One in seven persons in the USA is Hispanic. In 2006, 90 percent of the students in the Fort Worth independent school district were Hispanic. There are now 200 Hispanic national magazines, more than three hundred local Hispanic newspapers, and continued growth in Hispanic radio, television, and cable stations in the US. Hispanics represent a growing group of people who need to hear the message of Jesus Christ. Our student ministries must be ready to respond to the need of Hispanics in our communities.

What Do I Need to Know about Hispanic Students?
Three groupings represent Hispanic youth. First-generation Hispanic youth were born or have parents who were born in another country. They prefer to speak Spanish, listen to Spanish radio, and watch Spanish television. They share their culture with their parents and have strong ties to their parents’ home country.

Second-generation Hispanics are bridge builders. They speak English and Spanish. They interpret for their parents. They value the culture of their parents as well as their new American culture. They get caught in the middle of both worlds.

Third generation Hispanics can be referred to as assimilated youth. These students speak fluent English and may struggle to speak Spanish. They share mainstream American values.

The key to understanding these three groups is to remember that they have relatives in all three groups. Churches wanting to reach Hispanics will develop ministries for all generations.

What Are Critical Needs and Strategies for Reaching Hispanic Youth?
Youth ministries that want to reach Hispanics will help Hispanic students improve academically. Hispanics students have a 48% failure rate in relation to graduation from high school. Churches must help Hispanic parents engage the academic school system.

A second critical issue involves the lack of skills for success in college. Academic success depends on the ability to learn. Families must also be engaged in understanding their roles in the academic process.

How Will Hispanic Growth Impact My Student Ministry?
Your student ministry will NOT be impacted unless you learn how to reach Hispanic youth and their families. Working with Hispanic students means multigenerational ministry. You will need to learn to read the culture signals sent by the various generations of Hispanic students and their families. You will need to be extremely connected to those in your church who minister to preschoolers, children, adults, and senior adults.

Reaching Hispanics calls for a cohesive ministry plan that includes focusing on the entire family. Your youth and church ministry will change as you plan strategies to implement when Spanish-speaking relatives attend your church. Your ministry will change because you will intentionally enlist and train bilingual/bicultural youth workers. Your interns may also be bilingual to help you build bridges to the Hispanic community.

You will change because you will learn to share the plan of salvation in Spanish. You will learn to speak Spanish and engage the church in your efforts. You will become an advocate for Hispanics and their needs. You will help Hispanics know they are welcome.

Your youth ministry will change because it will become global. Reaching Hispanics for Christ in your community generally results in relatives making decisions in other countries. You can reach Hispanic youth and their families and watch their families help you build a church with a heart for the Hispanic community.

Written by John S. Powers

As a boy growing up on the rich farming soil found in the hills of East Tennessee, I was intrigued by thoughts of being in the military. Several of my relatives served with great pride in various branches of service. My father served in World War II in Europe. Over the years, I have listened intently as my dad weaves his military experience through various stories.

When my father was drafted in the early 1940s he was forced to leave a good paying job to fulfill his military duty. For someone who had grown up during the Depression, and had often been unable to purchase what he needed even when he had money, leaving a job was just the first of the memories created by his years in the military. Stories about his bouts of loneliness, fears, anxieties, and antics were so vivid that one could brush them away like a butterfly.

Upon reflection, it is not surprising that something of my father’s military mindset heavily influenced each member of my family, too. I couldn’t get enough of it. As a child, I played “army” with my friends. Included in our strategy was opposing an imaginary enemy by digging fox holes in the fields and waiting for the next in a series of endless childhood battles.

Now years later, I have found myself transitioning from imaginary enemies of a childhood battlefield to another kind of military soil – a spiritual field that is ripe beyond my wildest dreams. As the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in Norfolk, Virginia, the Lord has opened wide the door for various ministry opportunities aimed toward military personnel and their families.

Three Virginia cities at the south end of Chesapeake Bay host military bases. All branches of the military, including the Army, the Air Force, the Marines, the Coast Guard, and the Navy are represented in Hampton Roads. Norfolk is home to the largest naval station on the planet. Virginia Beach is home to the largest naval air station. That represents more than 100,000 people, many of whom like the children of Nineveh, “do not know the difference between their right and left hand.” In other words, they are teachable, reachable, pliable, and most importantly are searching for answers to life’s biggest questions.

Historically, our church has welcomed members of the armed forces with open arms. That tradition continues today with a focused, well-defined strategy for ministering to military personnel and their families. Here are three elements of our strategy

First: Integration

Our church has a “People First” mentality toward military families. Integration occurs with few exceptions. For example, instead of singling them out, military personnel are welcomed into our Bible Study ministry like any other person. We do not delineate rank. Admiral Vern Clark, Chief of Naval Operations and his wife, Connie, regularly attend our church. It is so good seeing them worship beside enlisted men and women, who many times do not even recognize them! We are also very careful to recognize and honor members of all branches of service, especially during the Sunday following the Army/Navy football game.

Second: Involvement

We have found that military personnel are among the easiest to enlist and involve in doing the work of ministry. These people come for various backgrounds and many are strong in their faith. This translates into people who are trained, motivated, and ready to jump into service for Jesus. Many times it only takes an invitation for them to be involved in our church. They welcome that opportunity.

Third: Inspiration

Our church benefits from the rigorous training and experience military personnel and their families have known but we are also quick to minister to them. One such ministry is “Military Wives Encouragement Group.” Starting about three years ago, this group has grown to more than thirty participants. Our goal is threefold:

1.      Provide a place of fellowship.

2.      Provide some desired information such as: crisis management, caring for children, marriage enrichment, and moving assistance.

3.      Provide a brief study of God’s Word and offer prayer support for each member.

We also take every opportunity to invite guests to be enrolled in our Bible Study ministry.

Taking the opportunity to caring for precious personnel and families of the military is continuing to be a blessing for our church. Ask the Lord to give you a vision for members of the military. This field is ripe indeed.

Dr. John S. Powers is the author of Redefining Church Membership and The BodyLife Journey: Guiding Believers into Ministry. A pastor for 22 years, Dr. Powers received his master’s of divinity and doctor of ministry degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary