Youth Ministry. It’s an interesting concept that stirs many opinions. Some may say it’s an integral part of a church’s development; others may label it as volatile and radical. And a few might simply see no point in putting in the effort, as past experiences have fallen flat. But despite these varying views, two things are certain:
Adventist youth exist, and we matter.
As an individual who was born into the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, I have had my fair share of Adventist Youth experiences – 20 years’ worth to be exact.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been actively involved in church. Whether it be playing Mary at five years old for Papatoetoe (NZ) SDA Church’s Nativity. Or 13-year-old me preaching my first sermon at Werribee SDA Church and the list goes on. But, if we are being honest, I think my Youth Ministry experience truly began three years ago, in a place called Camp Howqua…
2018 was hectic for me. I had the stress of Year 12, the pressure of choosing a university, a falling out with a close friend, an identity crisis; and to add to that my ATAR results did not meet my expectations. So, it was safe to say that by the end of that year, my mind was venturing into less than pleasant places.
Believing I needed a serious reprieve from my current environment, I finally applied for VicYouth 2019 Summer Camps. I applied as a camper and as a staff. A somewhat crazy choice, given that I had no idea of what was in store, but I don’t regret it at all.
Cliché as it may sound, the whole experience was literally life-changing.
As a camper, I met people who were just like me, a little nervous and confused but had the right Spirit. It was also comforting to know that the staff were genuinely invested in us.
My leaders, Kimberly and Bri, took the time to get to know me; affirm me and validate me. Which was something that I really needed at the time, but, like most insecure individuals, I brushed it off.
It was when I was a leader that everything got flipped on its head.
Interacting with the junior campers was like looking into a mirror. I saw myself in so many of those ten to twelve-year-olds, and thus, twelve-year-old Naomi took over. Not in the sense that I was acting like I was twelve, though some of my actions proved otherwise. But it was as if that little girl did not want those kids to go through what she went through. She was determined to be the person she wished she had growing up.
This scared seventeen-year-old Naomi. Big time.
Despite being affirmed just a week before, I did not feel worthy to be that person for these juniors. I was flawed. I was a mess. I wasn’t a role model.
But I was going to try.
So, for the next week, I challenged herself to swallow this fear and form connections with these kids, going so far as memorising all 80 campers’ names. Everyday juniors would run up to me, asking if I knew who they were. And I will never forget the way their eyes lit up when their names left my lips – the expressions of amazement mixed with the realisation that they were known and acknowledged.
And it was on Friday, January 19, 2019, standing side-by-side in purple light; tears streaming down my face; singing the words “I am Chosen, not forsaken”, that I, seventeen-year-old Naomi realised she can have an impact on these kids. That, to these kids, I can be the mentor I never had.
It was that evening when I realised the power of Youth Ministries.
After that experience, I dedicated the following two summers to VicYouth and Camp Howqua. Giving everything I have to let these young people, staffer or camper, know that they are important, they matter, and that they are loved – not only by those around them but by a powerful Father up above.
When I share my Summer Camp story, I find myself saying something along the lines of: “At my lowest point, I threw myself off the edge, but VicYouth was there to catch me.” However, as I’m writing this, I believe a better way to describe it is: “When I took a leap of faith, God caught me.”
Jeremiah 29:11 is a verse that I memorised as a child – and yes, it did get me through some interesting times – but Summer Camp really solidified those words for me. It felt like a piece of the puzzle was put into place. Though even now I don’t know the full extent of the Lord’s plan for my life, at that point in time, I was ready to trust Him.
It is now 2021, and the opportunities that God has given me are indescribable. In July 2019, I went on my first ever ShareHim mission trip to the Philippines. In January 2020, I was elected into my current passion as Werribee SDA Church’s youth leader. Through which I have learnt so much about the young people at my church, specifically how much they enjoy the meetings we hold every Friday night.
So, after all of this backstory, I guess it’s time to reveal what youth ministry means for me personally. Do I think it’s an integral part of the church? Do I think its extreme? My answer is this:
Whether it be local, state, or nationwide, the core of it all is connections and relationships. Just like social interaction is essential to human life, relationships are integral to a church’s growth. Sometimes it takes something radical – like being pulled from the back of a boat – to form a bond with someone; sometimes it doesn’t.
As Seventh-day Adventists, we fall under the classification of Christian. To be a Christian is to be a follower of Christ. Followers of Christ are called to imitate Jesus (1 John 2:6), so that’s what we should do.
- Jesus craves an intimate, personal relationship with us; so, we should want to form close relationships with others.
- Jesus wants us to lay everything down at His feet; so, we should want to create a safe space for individuals to learn about themselves and their spirituality.
- Jesus’ character is the personification of love; so, we should be compassionate and love each other (John 13:34-35).
And yes, it does sound daunting; it does sound scary. And yes, there will be some bumps along the way – mountains and molehills – but God is with you through it all (Isaiah 41:10). Moreover, you are never alone when you do this. I have many mentors in this journey, ranging from my family and friends to individuals from VicYouth itself.
So, I encourage you all to take that first step. Better yet, I challenge you to throw yourself over the edge; because when you take that leap of faith, God will catch you!
Summer Camp 2021:
WRITER: Naomi Janmaat, Youth leader at Werribee SDA Church.