Dear Parents,

Last night at Courts of Faith, I saw something that made my heart jump for joy. Students worshiping with everything they had. Singing praises to our God. Everything from I Surrender All to How He Loves. Then sadness hit me. We do not have this kind of worship here in Canadian. Most of the churches here in town are stuck in the way of doing things the way they have always been done. Some people are willing to change, but how willing are we to have something that really reaches to the hearts of young people. After being in town seven months. I have noticed that the expectation of student/youth ministries is to be attraction and make sure that students have “fun.” It is great that students are coming through the doors, but are we connecting them with Jesus? I have no doubt that they are hearing about how to place their faith and trust in Jesus Christ, but what then? Are we teaching them about worship? Are we giving them opportunities to worship? To really commune with God Almighty? Or is the universal church here in Canadian stuck in the 1980’s?

After spending time with children and with students these past seven months, I have learned that they want more than just surface level. They want to go deeper, and because of that we have an obligation to create facilities and teach on their level. Not to dumb the Bible down, but actually give explanations and examples that they can understand at their given age.

If the children and students are our future, are we willing to put aside our own preferences and opinions of the way that church “should be,” and reach our children and students where they are at. Let us then be intentional with all of the programming that reaches to these age groups, and even more so pray for these children and students.

Serving with you,

Matt Phenix