In 2013 God moved among young adults in the Centenary church community in a powerful way. We went from having no young adult ministry to having meaningful ways that young adults are connecting with one another as they grow as deeper followers of Jesus.
We learned about ways that we can invite the non-churched and de-churched into the Body of Christ with Adam Hamilton's study, "When Christians Get It Wrong." We developed our own theological understandings on what it means to be a Christian, why we go to church, how to approach discipleship and suffering, and many other relevant faith-based topics with Rob Bell's Nooma series. We took a deep look into our own habits and analyzed where we might be flirting with modern forms of idolatry in Kyle Idleman's new series, Gods at War. Parents had an opportunity to bond with one another and learn together how to be more effective godly parents in the home in our Parenthood series. We went hiking, watched movies, played games, and baked pizzas together. We made new commitments to one another, worked together for a common goal, and built christian community. We served the needy, loved on some college kids, and welcomed new babies.
The best part is - this is ONLY the beginning.
In 2014 - lets do something...something wonderful and meaningful and life-changing. Let's co-operate with God even more than we have already been doing. Let's make a difference in our church. Let's be the change in our community that we want to see. Let's show more love and kindness than we've ever shown before. Let's build relationships that bear Godly fruit. Let's discover God at work in our hearts and souls more than we ever thought possible.
2014 will be a BIG year for the young adult ministry at Centenary. There are big dreams for the ways young adults will infuse the church with energy and fresh expressions of what ministry looks like - and even bigger than the dreams of the wonderful and faithful members of CUMC are the dreams and visions God has for us. I hope and pray that we can be open and courageous enough to go on the adventures God has in mind for Emerge Young Adult Ministries this year.
Happy New Year!
