Y Ministries

The main ministry to schools approach is being taken with the consideration that the Gospel message has much more likelihood of taking root in the young people's natural learning environment, presented in a 'no-cringe' style on ground that they respect more-so than the Church. In short, the vision is to present God as creator of the universe, Jesus as Lord of everything - especially their school lives, and by no means only resident in ancient buildings one hour a week!! (Full Statement of Faith available on request) Contact: Ciaran D Smith, ALBANY, Shanganagh Road, Killiney, Co. Dublin (27 22 151 or )087 22 60 998 ?Fax: 27 22 151 GOSPEL 'MESSAGE TO SCHOOLS' GROUP MANY PARENTS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE GENERATIONext=> Many churches are frustrated with how reticent young people are to learn about and become involved with the body of Jesus Christ - the church. For example, in the C of I, the confirmation age group (12-14s) are there mainly to please their parents. By youth club age (14-17s), they either no longer attend or would much rather have a God - free time. A very small percentage of Youth Club members attend church and even fewer on a regular basis. For the most part, Young Adults have become well engrossed in alternative pursuits. Ciaran Smith has worked for 3 years in a combined youth working venture. For 20 hours per week I was planning for and running the youth work programme at St. Matthias' (C of I) in Killiney/ Ballybrack along with GENERATION X / IN:FUSION festival meetings and events. It has also been very inspiring to find how naturally evangelism can take place in an atmosphere of learning. This has been influential in motivating me to work at planning a schools ministry team modelled on the style and method of 'The World Wide Message Tribe' (WWMT) of Manchester & `Vis-a-Vis', Basildon, near London. These Christian outreach groups have had massive impact with the Gospel message on young people in schools, in Britain and America! A similar vision for Dublin is being worked at along with a team of Youth Workers. This was launched at Rathdown and Newpark Schools in May '99. The main plan is to 'interface' with the current schools RE programme in which we help to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to Life. We also envisage offering to run the schools' morning assembly using a hi-tech music, drama and video approach that will leave the young people calling for more during their RE class later that day! Lunch-time concerts are also a perfect opportunity. The prayer is that this course of evangelistic action will also bring encouragement to Christian pupils and teachers alike, with the result of enhancing the sense of Christian community in the school. This approach is being taken with the consideration that the Gospel message has much more likelihood of taking root in the Young People's natural learning environment, presented in a 'no-cringe' style on ground that they respect more so than the Church. 80% of Christian Commitment takes place before the age of 20. In short we have vision to present God as creator of the universe, Jesus as Lord of everything - especially their school lives, and by no means only resident in ancient buildings one hour a week!! (Full Statement of Faith available on request) Contact: Ciaran D Smith, Albany, Shanganagh Road, Killiney, Co. Dublin (27 22 151 or )087 22 60 998 ?Fax: 27 22 151 80% of Christian Commitment takes place before the age of 20.