Youth Group’s Name: FUSION

Church’s Name: Emmanuel Pentecostal Church

Where: Mesquite, TX (East of Dallas)

Inside Out: How many students are in your youth group?

Chad Flowers: Including Jr. High, Sr. High, and College & Career—about 90.

IO: What is their average age?

CF: 14-15 years

IO: What is the coolest event that you have put together for your group?

CF: “Night of FUSION S-energy” (pronounced like “synergy”), which means “Spiritual Energy.” We do it about 4-5 times a year. All we announce is the time and place to meet and if they need to bring any money. That is all the youth know. When they show up, we may do a prayer meeting and then a gym night, have a combined youth service with another youth group, or go on a prayer walk and then go bowling or to the rodeo. The important thing is, we mix some type of spiritual element with fun. We started it at the beginning of this year, and so far every time has been a success!

IO: What does your group do for outreach?

CF: Refer back to the “S-energy” event. In the past, we have put on services in nursing homes, and every Thanksgiving we take Thanksgiving dinners to families-in-need (names given to us by our city) who have nothing to do with our church. It has definitely taught our students to love and care for those in need.

IO: What do you do to disciple those that join your group?

CF: Our church has a discipleship program called “Fresh Start” with classes that meet during Sunday school on Sundays. We encourage our new converts to go through the discipleship class as well as hook them up with a Bible study taught by another student.

IO: What is your group’s claim to fame?

CF: Our weekly FUSION service on Wednesday nights is definitely the highlight of FUSION youth ministry. We have a youth room with a café, arcade games, air hockey, and a lounge for the kids and their guests to hang out in before service. Those who are involved in the worship come at 6:45 PM for practice. At 7:15 PM, we all gather in the chapel to pray before service begins. Our worship is becoming more and more anointed, and then either I preach or we have a guest speaker come in once a month.

IO: Is there a “hangout” for your group outside of church?

CF: Applebee’s

IO: Do you do crowd breakers?

CF: Not anymore. We used to until about a year ago, and then we decided to make our services more evangelistic. For us, the crowd breakers just began to be time-fillers that we didn’t need anymore.

IO: When does your group regularly meet?

CF: Every Wednesday for FUSION—our youth service.

IO: Do you have a youth choir?

CF: We’re working toward building one at this time.

IO: What kind of music does your group like?

CF: Our group is very diverse in their music preferences.

IO: If you could narrow it down to one song, what would be your group’s favorite anthem?

CF: As youth pastor, the song I would pick is “While I’m Waiting” by John Waller. The message of this song captures the intent my wife, youth staff, and I have for the students God has entrusted to us.

IO: Does your group have a worship band?

CF: Yes

IO: If so, what style of music do they play?

CF: Many of them are in their schools’ bands and are now beginning to bring their instruments to FUSION. In our youth services, they usually play the contemporary praise and worship style of music.

IO: Is the ministry emphasis of your group more evangelistic or discipleship?

CF: I would say more evangelistic.

IO: Do you have a prayer meeting for youth?

CF: We meet every Wednesday night before FUSION for prayer, and we have special focused prayer on the nights of FUSION S-energy.

IO: How many people are on your youth leadership team?

CF: The staff that oversees our FUSION service on Wednesday nights, special events on weekends, and teach Sunday School classes on Sundays consists of 12 people, not including my wife and I.

IO: What is the vision for your student ministry?

CF: One of the many meanings of “FUSION” is “a pouring out.” Luke 6:38 says, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (NIV). Our vision for FUSION youth ministry is a group of young people who are sensitive to the call of God on their lives and actively seeking His will through spiritual growth and service.

IO: What is the question that we’ve missed, and what would be the answer?

CF: At this point, I think you’ve pretty well covered it.

Youth Group’s Name: X7

Church’s Name: New Life Pentecostal Church

Where: Bridgeton, MO

Inside Out: How many students are in your youth group?

Aaron Batchelor: 50-60

IO: What is their average age?

AB: 12-21

IO: What is the coolest event that you have put together for your group?

AB: Our staff designs an incredible Youth Retreat every year.

IO: What does your group do for outreach?

AB: Two young men started a Sunday school bus ministry several years ago. It is still in operation today. There are also several HOPE Sundays a year in which our church takes the night service and turns it into a community outreach event.  A couple of times we have taken our youth to help out a Home Missions church on a weekend. We also knock on doors and pass out flyers for Sunday events. Several of our youth have also been involved in Foreign Mission trips throughout the years.

IO: What do you do to disciple those that join your group?

AB: Personal Home Bible Studies by an adult and a student.  Our church also has an awesome discipleship course designed for students and their families.

IO: What is your group’s claim to fame?

AB: Hmmm….

IO: Is there a “hangout” for your group outside of church?

AB: We have a small youth room, but there are other extra activities every month organized by our staff.

IO: Do you do crowd breakers?

AB: Yes.

IO: When does your group regularly meet?

AB: Wednesdays at 7:30 PM in our gym.

IO: Do you have a youth choir?

AB: Yes.

IO: What kind of music does your group like?

AB: Christian Alternative, Rock and Contemporary

IO: If you could narrow it do to one song, what would be your group’s favorite anthem?

AB: “Crazy” by Deluge

IO: Does your group have a worship band?

AB: Yes. PWB—Pure Worship Band

IO: If so, what style of music do they play?

AB: Christian Contemporary (along the lines of Deluge and Hillsong)

IO: Is the ministry emphasis of your group more evangelistic or discipleship?

AB: Discipleship

IO: Do you have a prayer meeting for youth?

AB: Yes; Monday nights at 7:30 PM.

IO: How many people are on your youth leadership team?

AB: Four youth and ten adults.

IO: What is the vision for your student ministry?

AB: We exist to help students know Jesus Christ and make Him known

Youth Group’s Name: Christian Life Center Student Ministry

Who: Christian Life Center

Where: Neenah, WI

InsideOut: How many students are in your youth group?

Joseph Waterman: 25

IO: What is their average age?

JW: 13

IO: What is your youth group’s favorite song?

JW: “Open Up the Sky” by Deluge

IO: Favorite genre of music?

JW: Anything that is contemporary and upbeat (i.e., TobyMac).

IO: Favorite place to hang out?

JW: My in-laws’ house, strangely enough. That is their favorite chill spot, mostly because of the food and an over-abundance of board games.

IO: What is the coolest event your youth group has done?

JW: Most recently, we had had an ice cream social (even though it’s the middle of March and still freezing outside). The only place that would beat us out for toppings available to choose from would be ColdStone. It was incredible.

IO: When does your youth group regularly meet?

JW: Every Sunday morning and every Wednesday night we have class, and every Friday we have some sort of social event. We’re also privileged to be part of a district that hosts a sectional youth rally once a month, called Ignite.

IO: Is the ministry emphasis of your youth group more discipleship or evangelistic?

JW: Definitely discipleship. I believe that if you can grow strong young people, they will bleed evangelism. We are working towards hosting two large outreach events this summer (one at a local skate park and one via a community basketball tournament). We’re hoping that both events become a yearly staple of our youth group for community outreach.

IO: Do you have a youth choir?

JW: No, but we do have all of those who are musically inclined actively involved either in the church choir, praise singing, or playing an instrument.

Youth Group’s Name: ALUPC Youth

Church’s Name: Apostolic Lighthouse

Where: Farmington, MO

InsideOut: How many students are in your youth group?

Nathaniel Molter: 12-15

IO: What is their average age?

NM: 14

IO: What is the coolest event that you have put together for your group?

NM: I guess you really would have to ask my youth, but my favorite things have been camping, boating, and going to amusement parks. We also have a paintball trip planned this spring that the girls seem to be the most excited about. Very Funny! Nothing like seventy-five pound, fourteen-year-old girls acting like Rambo.

IO: What does your group do for outreach?

NM: We have knocked doors and done the typical things, but our most effective means has been working hard to include non-church friends in everything we do.

IO: What do you do to disciple those that join your group?

NM: I try to be available for anything they may need or any questions they may have; and I have really enjoyed one-on-one and small group Bible studies.

IO: What is your group’s claim to fame?

NM: Hard to say; but since you’re asking me, I think it is the fact that my youth really work hard to be a group.

IO: Is there a “hangout” for your group outside of church?

NM: Definitely—a basement of one of our church members and the parents’ home of one of my youth seem to get frequent use.

IO: Do you do crowd breakers?

NM: Religiously!

IO: When does your group regularly meet?

NM: Besides getting together during the week, we have a youth service once a month, some kind of fun non-service event once a month, and a larger trip or special function every couple of months.

IO: Do you have a youth choir?

NM: Kind of—depends on how many of them I can talk into singing.

IO: What kind of music does your group like?

NM: My youth group is so diversified—I won’t even try to answer that other than saying they all like songs about God.

IO: If you could narrow it do to one song, what would be your group’s favorite anthem?

NM: Hard to pick just one, but I guess I would say “How Great is Our God.”

IO: Does your group have a worship band?

NM: No, but we’re working on it. I have a girl who is working on the guitar, and I am trying my best to get another youth interested in the drums.

IO: If so, what style of music do they play?

NM: At the moment, probably “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”

IO: Is the ministry emphasis of your group more evangelistic or discipleship?

NM: I hope both.

IO: Do you have a prayer meeting for youth?

NM: Yes—one of the best things we do.

IO: How many people are on your youth leadership team?

NM: 3-5

IO: What is the vision for your student ministry?

NM: Get More of Us!

IO: What is the question that we’ve missed, and what would be the answer?

NM: The only thing that I haven’t said is that I consider myself to be extremely lucky to be able to work with such an amazing group that is filled with awesome young people. I really am!

Youth Group Name: “4-Life Student Ministries”

Who: Life Tabernacle

Where: Grand Junction, Colorado

InsideOut: How many students are in your youth group?

Brandon Childress: 35

IO: What is their average age?

BC: 14

IO: What is the coolest event that you have put together for your group?

BC: Static. This is an event we put on every Friday night. The coolest one was when we played dodge ball in the dark in our gym with strobe and disco lights.

IO: What does your group do for outreach?

BC: We have what we call Exposure. This is from door knocking to just simply handing out flyers. We also have a church school, which has close to thirty young people that do not go to church. These teens go into our youth room for one of their classes. So as outreach we have decided to do a giant mural on the wall. We have every young person that is a part of our group paint their hand print on the wall with their name. If you want your hand print on the wall you have to attend a certain number of services for ninety days. We have already seen the fruits of our labor.

IO: What do you do to disciple those that join your group?

BC: I spend usually the last fifteen minutes of class talking about different topics from standards to the purpose of fasting and prayer.

IO: What is your group’s claim to fame?

BC: The young people say that their claim to fame is a friendly atmosphere and attitude. Anytime there are visitors, all the young people make a point to introduce themselves.

IO: Is there a “hangout” for your group outside of church?

BC: Actually it’s at the church. It’s our GYM. The gym is always open and the group loves to do different things in the gym.

IO: Do you do crowd breakers?

BC: Yes. I love crowd breakers. I have had thumb wrestling contests when talking about Jacob. We have had shooting competitions and marshmallow eating competitions. Every Sunday morning we have a different crowd breaker. The group loves it because they never know what is going to happen.

IO: When does your group regularly meet?

BC: We have class every Sunday and Wednesday. We also have Static every Friday night and once a month we do Exposure. We also have a youth service the third Sunday night of the month.

IO: Do you have a youth choir?

BC: No. We have a drama team and a sign language team that perform at youth services and special church services.

IO: What kind of music does your group like?

BC: Christian Hip-Hop and Christian Rock

IO: If you could narrow it do to one song what would be your group’s favorite anthem?

BC: “Freedom”

IO: Does your group have a worship band?

BC: Yes.

IO: If so, what style of music do they play?

BC: They usually play contemporary and black gospel.

IO: Is the ministry emphasis of your group more evangelistic or discipleship?

BC: Discipleship. We believe if we can help them to grow that they will reach others and help them to grow.

IO: Do you have a prayer meeting for youth?

BC: Monday at 6:00 PM with the church.

IO: How many people are on your youth leadership team?

BC: 6

IO: What is the vision for your student ministry?

BC: Our vision comes from our name which has two meanings. The first is LIFE which stands for Living in Faith Every day. And the second comes from the 4, which is our statement. “IV Life Student Ministries” exists solely to help youth live out their faith and personal calling by showing them how to Expose Christ, Exalt God, Extend friendship and Expand their understanding. Our scripture is I Timothy 4:12.

IO: What is the question that we’ve missed, and what would be the answer?

BC: Do you have a Youth Room? Yes. We have a cool youth room which is in the progress of an upgrade. We have an awesome sound system and fun games. The room is set up so the young people can either sit on couches and read, or sit at the counter and eat, or play games like air hockey or ping pong; or we have a stage set where we can just have church.

Youth Group Name: Youth Ablāz (pronounced “ablaze”) Student Ministries

Who: First United Pentecostal Church, Pastor Lester J. Green

Where: Jacksonville, Florida

InsideOut: How many students are in your group?

Michael Guerra: About 50.

IO: What is their average age?

MG: Between 12 and 23.

IO: What is the coolest event that you have put together for your group?

MG: We do two youth revivals a year: a “Youth Week” in the spring and a “Back to School Revival” in the fall. What makes these events so unique is the students plan everything. Each time we do a revival we put together a committee of young people to plan the theme, videos, music, outreach, fellowship…basically the whole thing.

IO: What does your group do for outreach?

MG: I’m a big believer in one-on-one interactions. Even though we do some group things (for example, our youth choir has sung at a local mall), I emphasize personal evangelism. We are most likely to win our friends, so that’s where we put the emphasis. We also encourage them to support the church’s outreach program.

IO: What is your group’s claim to fame?

MG: These young people have a passion for the kingdom of God! When we have church, they are the first ones to stand and worship, the first ones to the altar, the first ones in the altars praying with people, and the last ones to leave…whether we’ve had a revival recently or not! They reach out to each other and encourage each other. It’s awesome to log on to Facebook after a Sunday night service and see all of their status updates. Normally they’re STILL raving about the move of God we had.

IO: What do you do to disciple those that join your youth group?

MG: I try to connect new students with another student in our group as soon as possible. When a new person comes in, my wife and I will set up a Bible Study with the student. We invite one of our established students to join us (normally this student also helps to teach the Bible Study). That young person’s job from the Bible Study on is to connect with the new student and integrate him/her into the youth group. If a student feels like he/she belongs, that student will most likely come back.

IO: Is there a “hangout” for your group outside of church?

MG: Chili’s in the Oak Leaf Town Center. They are there almost every Sunday night after church. Many of the younger ones come over to my house to hang out frequently as well.

IO: Do you do crowd breakers?

MG: We normally incorporate them into our youth services. We don’t use them as much as we used to.

IO: When does your group regularly meet?

MG: Every Friday night, unless there is a sectional event.

IO: Do you have a youth choir?

MG: Absolutely. Even the musicians for the choir are part of the youth group. Our choir director, Jennifer Lewis, is in College/Career.

IO: What type of music does your group like?

MG: It’s pretty varied. They’re mostly into praise/worship and contemporary.

IO: If you could narrow it down to one song what would be your group’s favorite anthem?

MG: Right now probably “Freedom.” It’s just about everyone’s right now!

IO: Does your youth group have a worship band?

MG: We don’t have a worship band currently, but we do have an ensemble.

IO: If so, what style of music do they play?

MG: Our ensemble does mostly slower praise/worship type music…”How He Loves Us” and “Hear Us From Heaven” for example.

IO: Is the ministry emphasis of your youth group more evangelistic or discipleship?

MG: It’s a mixture of both. I’ve been concentrating a lot on discipleship lately, and I’m looking to do more with that going into next year. But evangelism is still important, and is still definitely a point of emphasis for us.

IO: Do you have a prayer meeting for youth?

MG: Every Tuesday night we have a focused prayer led by a member of the youth staff, Dwayne Lewis. We have 25 students on average show up, and they get DEEP in prayer. It’s not uncommon to walk into one of our prayer meetings and see young people deep in intercession, or to see our girls huddled up together laying hands on each other.

IO: How many people are on your youth leadership team?

MG: We have an AWESOME student ministry team! My wife (Samantha Guerra) and Amanda Dodd work with Jr. High, Kevin and Deanna Rathbun work with the Teens ages 14 and 15 (and coach our quiz team), Randall and Trish Livesay work with Sr. High, and Miguel and Sharon Rodriguez work with College/Career. We also have three youth workers: Dwayne Lewis, George Hildebrand, and Clint Stinson. George and Clint are 16 and 18, respectively. George has preached youth service for us, and Clint is a full time Sunday School teacher! Although they are not technically part of the youth team, Kristina Steven (College/Career) and Karissa Rathbun (Senior High) coordinate the music for youth services and youth revivals, so they play a vital role as well.

IO: What is your vision for your student ministry?

MG: 1. To connect young people to Christ

2. To connect them to each other

3. To engage them in ministry NOW – If they are going to be the church of tomorrow, they must first be the church of today. We use them in praise singing, music, teaching Sunday School, and even preaching. If they come to me with an interest in a particular ministry, I talk to the Pastor about it (he’s much wiser than me), and then we get them doing it!

IO: What is the question that we’ve missed and what would be the answer?

MG: How engaged is your Pastor with the youth group? I’m excited to say Pastor Green is VERY engaged with our youth. He is extremely supportive of them. He’s always checking with me to see how things are going and making sure I’m using them. He’s even setting aside a service every other month on a Sunday night for our youth to take over. Normally during our youth revivals he and his wife will do split sessions with our youth to talk to them and give them a chance to ask questions on doctrine, holiness, the ministry…anything they want to ask.

Youth Group Name: Pulse Youth Ministries

Who: Cornerstone United Pentecostal Church;  Pastor C. Patton Williams

Where: Ocala, Florida

InsideOut: How many students are in your group?

Joel Alexander: 30

IO: What is their average age?

JA: 12-20

IO: What is the coolest event that you have put together for your group?

JA: We plan an out-of-state trip during the off year of NAYC.  This trip is on average 3- 5 days during the first week of August and usually includes whitewater rafting, a visit to an amusement park, and sightseeing of the nearby attractions.  Each night is set aside for a time of prayer and devotion where our young people recommit their lives to God and His will.  This is also an excellent opportunity to mend the bonds of unity that may have weakened during the summer months.

IO: What does your group do for outreach?

JA: Door hangers, bible studies, church cards, youth services, and community projects

IO: What is your group’s claim to fame?

JA: Every year, we are in the top 5 giving churches in the state of Florida to Sheaves For Christ with an average giving of 12- 15 thousand dollars.  Our youth team, students, parents, and church sacrifice six weeks of their summer to the efforts of SFC fundraising through camp concessions.

IO: What do you do to disciple those that join your youth group?

JA: On the first visit, we have the visitor fill out an information card.  We use this information to make several contacts to encourage future visits.  During one of the contacts, we ask if there are any questions about our church such as our doctrine or services.   Once an individual starts to come on a regular basis or has joined our youth group, we try to get them involved in youth and church activities regardless of whether or not they have received the Holy Ghost or been baptized-this will eventually come.  Once they have experienced salvation and have established a walk with God, we encourage being a leader to others in the church such as joining the choir or helping teach a Sunday School class.  Our main goal is to help every young person find their place in the Kingdom of God.

IO: Is there a “hangout” for your group outside of church?

JA: Yes.  The nearby restaurants,  our campgrounds, and the homes of our Youth Team and young people, especially the Thorne’s.

IO: Do you do crowd breakers?

JA: Yes on occasion.  The objective for the evening and how many visitors may be present determine if and what kind of crowd breaker is to be done.

IO: When does your group regularly meet?

JA: On average every Friday night.  This varies during the summer due to camps.

IO: Do you have a youth choir?

JA: No.  Our young people sing in the church choir; however, certain church services are set aside where the young people do all the singing, playing, and preaching.  These are wonderful services that build and prepare our young people for future ministries.  It also keeps the saints connected to the vision of youth ministry.

IO: What type of music does your group like?

JA: Contemporary

IO: If you could narrow it down to one song what would be your group’s favorite anthem?

JA: The More I Seek You

IO: Does your youth group have a worship band?

JA: No.  Our young people play with the church band.

IO: Is the ministry emphasis of your youth group more evangelistic or discipleship?

JA: It is a combination of both.  We want to disciple those who have received the Holy Ghost and have been baptized so they in turn can further the Kindom of God by helping others receive the gift of salvation.

IO: Do you have a prayer meeting for youth?

JA: Yes.  Prior to every Sunday night service and at least one Friday night a month.  On the other Friday nights, we have a short devotion with prayer.

IO: How many people are on your youth leadership team?

JA: 6; Joel and Jessica Alexander, Chrisean and Felicia Bollers, and Jason and Mendy Rhodes

IO: What is your vision for your student ministry?

JA: Short term:  To help our students grow spiritually and discover their strengths and weaknesses, talents, and passion for their own ministry.  Long Term:  For our students to mature into active members of the church body functioning in unity with the Pastor and his vision.

InsideOut: How many students are in your group?

Adam Pryor & Rick Ferguson: 25

Youth Group Name: Anthem Student Ministries

Who: The Pentecostals at Royalwood

Where: Houston, TX

InsideOut: What is your average youth attendance?

John Dial: 85

IO: Average age?

JD: Anywhere from 12-30

IO: What is your youth group’s “claim to fame”?

JD: They are a lot of fun and enjoy a good time, but they also love to worship the Lord! They’re great at making our visitors feel welcome!

IO: What do you do for outreach?

JD: Our outreach team is called “OutLoud.” It’s still in the infant stages—just putting all the pieces together. We are in the process of developing cards—the size of business cards—for the youth/singles to carry with them everywhere they go to invite their friends or even total strangers to visit. It’s easy; you just hand them a card, and it pretty much says everything they need to know.

IO: Do you have a prayer meeting for the youth?

JD: Yes, the third Saturday of each month.

IO: What do you do to retain those that join your youth group? Bible Studies? Small groups?

JD: We have a new discipleship class we’re getting started. It will be available once a quarter. It’s called “InTune” and will be more of a teaching and interactive environment for new students to connect with our beliefs. We also teach Bible studies before “The Beat” on Wednesday evenings at 6:30. Our visitor card that we have them fill out asks if they are interested in a Bible study, and we do our best to make it happen.

IO: Is there a “hangout” for your youth outside of church?

JD: About once every two months we have a fun night on one Friday called “The Noise.” We all just get together and have fun and fellowship, either at the Anthem Center or other fun locations. Every Wednesday night after “The Beat,” we all hang out at the Anthem Center in our coffee shop, HeBrews Coffee.

IO: Do you guys do Crowd breakers, or is that a thing of the past? If not, what has filled the place of crowd breakers?

JD: We do crowd-breakers occasionally; they still work.  We believe crowd-breakers are a great way to loosen the group up and get them to intermingle and forget about the day! It’s definitely a crazy/fun time!

IO: Tell us a little bit about your room (those garage doors, the screens, setup, etc).

JD: It was our old sanctuary about eighteen years ago, and we converted it into our Anthem Student Center after our Spanish Ministry had it. We remodeled it about a year ago. We have the garage doors on the side that roll up into our coffee bar, HeBrews Coffee, where we hang out after “The Beat.” The garage doors have clear panels that you can see through and are a great way to close off or enlarge the space if need be. Our drums are on a pad that rolls out onto our platform, and if we’re not using them, we push them in and pull the garage door down to give us more room on the platform. We have our church’s old soundboard and all of our own instruments. The really cool lighting and the décor was designed around the youth, but at the same time can easily be transformed into a small chapel if need be for weddings and other formal events. All the credit for the décor goes to our very own Sister Jeanna Macey!

IO: What is your “niche,” or what makes you unique and draws young people to your services?

JD: We have the cool building, a really cool look, but we realize that doesn’t save souls; however, it is important for the youth to have a place they call their own and are proud of. We do our best to make sure that the messages and everything we do is geared toward the youth; it’s youth-oriented. The students get excited about what they experience at “The Beat” on Wednesday nights and tell their friends about it. When they come, they love the atmosphere, the cool building, the lights, music, etc… but then they feel something they’ve never felt before, and they realize this is something different, something that can change their lives. We try and make the services fun, but we still teach the truth, with straight-up preaching/teaching that doesn’t compromise the message. The kids are still coming. They love it; they’re bringing their friends, and their friends are now bringing their friends! We have had some awesome alter services. God has blessed us!

IO: There is a special event called “Crescendo” that you guys put on; can you let us in on what it is about?

JD: “Crescendo” is an annual summer youth event we started a couple of years ago to reach out to our community. We usually have about five hundred or more students in attendance with worship, preaching, and awesome music! There’s a concert, food, coffee bar, gaming stations, and other gym activities after the main service. This year “Crescendo: Rewind” is July 17^th with Brother Wayne Francis and The Royal Tailor Band!

IO: Do you meet on the same night as the midweek service for the whole church? What day is that?

JD: Yes we do, on Wednesday nights; this is what we call “The Beat.”

IO: Do you guys have a Youth Choir?

JD: Yes we do; we have approximately forty in our choir. We also have a girls’ group called “Divine Grace.” It’s nine of our youth/singles. We have gone on a couple of summer tours and hopefully we will be doing that again!

IO: What style of music does your Youth Group like?

JD: They like it all! However, mostly they respond to the contemporary style that they are familiar with, like songs they hear on the radio: Hillsong, Desperation Band, Israel Houghton, etc.

IO: If you could narrow it down to ONE song, what would be the Youth Group’s “Anthem” or favorite?

JD: Probably All I Need Is You by Hillsong.

IO: Do you have a worship band? What style do they play?

JD: Yes, we do have a worship band and they play all kinds of music. The band is a mixture of youth and singles, and we are in the process of establishing an all “youth” band. We try to use the young people in all areas of the service. We believe we are training them to be the leaders of tomorrow.

IO: Is the emphasis in your youth services more outreach-driven (pushing for young people to get the Holy Ghost) or more discipleship-driven? (ministering/developing/ maintaining those already a part of your youth group)?

JD: It’s a great combination of both. If we can keep a steady balance of each, we can really make a difference in our community as well as each life individually.

IO: How many youth staff members do you have?

JD: We have eight members at this time.

Youth Pastor Name: Brandon Shanks

Youth Group Name: Revolution Student Ministries

Church Name: Greater Lighthouse Pentecostal Church

Location: Madisonville, KY

InsideOut: What is your average youth attendance?

Brand Shanks: Approximately 50-60

IO: Average age?

BS: Approximately 15

IO: What do you do for outreach?

BS: In our schools, many students are very involved in organizations like FCA. I have been able to speak and lead worship at FCA meetings and “See You at the Pole” through these connections our students have made. Many students also teach Bible studies during lunch and hold prayer meetings before school begins. Also, we have students that have a worship service every Friday morning at their school. The greatest thing that has happened at Revolution is a “come see” culture where students consistently bring seeking friends to youth service. We teach the students at Revolution that outreach is a lifestyle and not just an event!

IO: Do you have a prayer meeting for the youth?

BS: Depending on the time of the year, we have youth prayer either on Monday nights in conjunction with adult prayer or on Tuesday nights specifically for youth.

IO: What is your youth group’s claim-to-fame?

BS: Our weekly youth services are definitely a highlight! From the media and sound to the greeters and cafe workers, our students make it happen! We also take a mission trip each summer that causes students to step out of their comfort zone. On our mission trips the students always come together and step up to make a lasting impression on many lives.

IO: What do you do to retain those that join your youth group? Bible studies? Small groups?

BS: Relationships are key. We encourage our students to connect to visitors. Trips have also been a great way to “glue” guests to Revolution. It seems like when a new student goes on a trip they always come home connected to what is happening. We also have LINK class on Sunday mornings, a small group-based atmosphere solely for high school students. This has been a great tool to retain new students.

IO: Is there a “hangout” for your youth outside of church?

BS: There are many, but if I had to choose one it would have to be HOBO MICKEY’S PIZZA all the way!

IO: Do you guys do crowd-breakers or is that a thing of the past? If not, what has filled the place of crowd- breakers?

BS: At Revolution our services are more experience-driven. We do not use “crowd-breakers” anymore. In their place, we extensively use lighting and various forms of media to create fresh and new worship experiences each week.

IO: What is your “niche,” or what makes you unique and draws young people to your services?

BS: We create a safe place where students from all backgrounds feel comfortable to come and experience the power of God. We have many students from other churches that are Revolution regulars. They have never been to an adult service yet, but they are impacted by the Spirit of God each week. Plus the music always rocks!

IO: I saw on your website, revolutionyouth.net, that you guys do text message updates; that’s pretty cool! How do you utilize that within your group?

BS: It’s simple. Just text “revolutionyouth” to 41411, and you are signed up for the Revolution update! It has proved to be the most effective way of keeping everyone on the same page.

IO: Do you meet on the same night as the midweek service for the whole church? What day is that?

BS: No. We have always met on Saturday nights.

IO: Do you guys have a youth choir?

BS: Not at this time. We have in the past, but now our focus has been on the Revolution Praise Band.

IO: What style of music does your youth group like?

BS: I would say that we are a very musically diverse group.

IO: If you could narrow it down to ONE song, what would be the youth group’s “Anthem?”

BS: “Tell the World” by Hillsong United.

IO: Do you have a worship band? What style do they play?

BS: Yes, we have a worship band that plays mostly contemporary rock/gospel.

IO: Is the emphasis in your youth services more outreach-driven? Or more discipleship-driven?

BS: I would say both. We just focus on proclaiming Scripture to students in a way that they can understand and remember. However, in each service we always make a push for people to repent, be baptized in Jesus’ name, and receive the Holy Ghost.

IO: How many youth staff members do you have?

BS: Thirteen counting my wife and me.

IO: Thanks for the interview Bradon. Be sure to check out his blog, “The Revolutionary.”