By Morgan Robinette, Young People’s Ministry Council
“The best part of Serving Jesus by Serving Others was getting the youth involved in something bigger than our own church!”
— Pastor, Williamsport District
On Sunday, March 13, 2016, over 150 youth and adults came together at five different locations throughout the Conference to serve in mission.
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| Mission Central |
The Young People’s Ministry Council partnered with Mission Central and four HUB’s; Altoona, Covenant Helping Hands, Shoemaker, and Gethsemane, to offer an afternoon of hands-on service for youth groups in the Conference. There was definitely an atmosphere of enthusiasm in all five HUB’s, as dozens of young people formed connections and friendships as they served alongside one another.
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| Altoona HUB |
Each location offered a variety of ways for the youth to be in service, including packing UMCOR health and school kits, assembling home relocation supplies, and even some painting. In between projects, the youth also participated in games and activities, which offered some newer perspectives on the act of serving others.
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| Covenant Helping Hands HUB |
The youth of the YPMC led a time of devotion and reflection, encouraging attendees to consider the challenge found in James 2:16-17,
“What if one of you said, “Go in peace! Stay warm! Have a nice meal!”? What good is it if you don’t actually give them what their body needs? In the same way, faith is dead when it doesn’t result in faithful activity.”
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| Gethsemane HUB |
The youth shared personal experiences of both meeting the needs of others, as well as having their needs met during a time of trial. Different ways for young people to serve in everyday life were also discussed and before leaving the youth were presented with a challenge to make any place a mission field.
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| Shoemaker HUB |
A video of photographs taken at all locations throughout the event can be found on the Young People’s Ministry website,
igniteyoungpeople.org.
The final Bits & Pieces event, “WHAT’S NEXT?” is scheduled for Sunday, April 24, 2016 at St. John’s Newberry UMC, Williamsport. Details and registration can before found on the YPM website. Registration closes Friday, April 15.
