Discussions FOUR Real Life

This is our summer programming for this year. At first I thought it would be only for our core group, but I was proven wrong! Our event is called Reality Check, and each week we begin in a large group setting where 4 specific, real-life issues are discussed broadly. The youth can then choose which topic to attend based on their own life issues. I, and my advisor team, all teach different small groups for an hour, and then we come back for food and fellowship afterwards.

The youth are made aware each week of what topics we will be covering, and they can then invite specific friends based on what they know their struggles are. This is a non-threatening environment where a specific issue, rather than a “you're going to hell” message is preached. But each issue presents an opportunity to share the Gospel. Hopefully this summer will serve as bait for the next school year. So far to this point, the results have been outside of all of our expectations. God does stuff like that.
Rachel Pennington, Director of Youth Ministries, Mt. Olive Brethren Church, McGaheysville, VA