Youth Group and Parents

What does the youth group and parents have in common? O.k., the youth, but besides that? Not much nowadays. I remember when I was growing up there was no youth minister to take care of the teens at my congregation. The parents did it. They planned the activities and stayed with us as we learned about Christ. They opened up their homes and had devos that they gave and taught us to do the same.

I am not saying that having a youth minister is a bad thing. Here in João Pessoa we have a good group of young people. We have had some individuals couples spend time with the youth but our youth needed more involvement from the adults, the parents. The parents were the ones who saw this need so We, the parents started meeting in August with the youth group. We sang and prayed together. The youth would have their Bible study and the parents talked about raising kids and difficulties we are facing as parents, among other things. The parents have enjoyed their time together. The youth don't feel like the parents are cramping their style. Everything is good. Actually it is better. There is no substitue for parents taking care of their kids. There is no better spiritual role model than ones own parents.

Please pray:

that parents will dedicate their time to the spiritual formation of their children;
that children and youth will grow to love God more than anything else in this World.

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Consecration

We know that God can do anything. The question is what will He do? What will the Lord do in the lives of His people when they consecrate themselves to Him? We hope to find out. Friday, May 22 nd , the Luna congregation had an all night vigil of consecration. We went from 9 pm to 5:30 am, and over 50 people participated, from the ages of 10 to 75 years. In the prayer corner, brothers and sisters signed up for time slots so that we would have prayer without ceasing. The vigil focused on Consecrating our Lives, in Gratitude, in Unity, in Service, and in Sharing . Each part consisted of prayer, singing, Bible Reading and Reflection, and practical activities, like in Service, we washed everyone’s feet, and then everybody joined in making breakfast for the group: homemade bread, fruit, tapioca and eggs, juice, and coffee. In Sharing, we ended with a wonderful meal together in family, talking about people with whom we want to share the gospel. Spend

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Pentecost in Paraíba

"This is Pentecost in Cajazeiras," Rivaldo Café said, "Almost three thousand were baptized in Jerusalem, almost ten in Cajazeiras." A wild comparison, of course, but the excitement that produced it was legitimate. Six young men gave their lives to Jesus and were baptized on Saturday. I was blessed to be there: the sixteen hours on a bus, going and coming, was worth it. I went to teach a weekend couples' seminar on the theme "God Gave Me You". The couples (around 12) were mostly parents of kids in the Right Step Program. The changes in these boys' lives have made an impression on the families, many of which have started Bible studies too. Saturday morning, after the soccer practice, three of the boys asked to be baptized. We headed to the building. Café began filling the portable swimming pool while I talked to the boys about what it means to come into the Family of God. Franze (15 yrs), Luam (14 yrs), Jorcelam (17 yrs)

McKinney Report

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