We are close to finishing up what we might call our “fall semester” of youth ministry. Throughout this school year, we have been praying for our youth ministry in specific ways. Our youth leaders have also been creatively finding ways to reach teenagers as best as we can. And through it all, we have seen many of God’s blessings!

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Let me share the three spiritual goals that our youth ministry has been praying for this year, and provide some updates:

3 salvations – 30 students – 8 Word of Life discipleship program completions.

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So far, since the fall semester has begun, we have seen 2 teen girls place their faith in Jesus for salvation! This has been such an exciting thing to behold, and we know that the prayers of many have been heard. If you haven’t been praying for 3 students to trust in Christ for salvation this school year in our youth ministry, would you begin to do so?

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Thus far, we have ministered to a grand total of 32 students at various times. I have to credit our teens for their incredible effort to invite their friends. We’ve also seen many of these teens come back for another night (and more) of youth group or Sunday school. Our goal, then, is to grow to reach 30 students altogether at once, and to do so in Jesus’ name, for His glory. This is an enormous goal, but I know that many have been praying for this as an “impossible prayer request.” Please continue to do so!

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And our last spiritual goal is for 8 students to complete the Word of Life discipleship program and qualify for our 2026 missions trip to New York City. Our Great Commission isn’t “Go and make converts;” it is “Go and make disciples.” Please be praying for teenagers in our youth ministry to grow in their knowledge of the Lord, His Word, and His will for their lives.

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This has truly been an exhilarating semester of youth ministry, with both highs and lows. There are some real challenges that teenagers face as they seek to take their faith into a dark world. Would you pray for them today, and as they head into the spring semester upon the new year? Would you also pray for the parents of teens? And would you pray for our youth leaders?

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In Christ,

Pastor John Wiley