Ordinary Teens Can Change the World: Raising Up World Changers in Your Youth Group

The life of youth worker is busy, exhausting, hard work, and though we know it is rewarding we don’t always get see the impact we are making. Thankfully, there are times in our work when we get a glimpse of the impact we are making, over the past year I have had a few moments like that!

This time last year I was preparing to take a team of teens to the Philippines with Street Invaders (a summer youth mission program helping teens to but their faith into action). I have been attending the program for 12 years first, as a teen myself and now as a team leader. I have learned critical lessons on being a leader and on living out my faith through the program. As I was preparing this team to go to the Philippines one of my greatest desires was to help equip the youth to see the needs of our world and to dynamically meet those needs in a way that honours and communicates the heart of God. One of the challenges the teens accepted was taking only packing a carry on sized suitcase for themselves and then using their allocated checked luggage space to pack a large suitcase of items that we hard to acquire locally to assist the local church we were partnering with. We then raised money to buy any items that were available over there so that we were contributing to the local economy. This simple exercise demonstrated how we could use what we have (like a luggage allowance) and our circles of influence (friends and family who we asked for donations from) to responsibly help support the local church overseas in a way that costs us something (having a nice selection of clothes for the trip) because we all know that creating change does require sacrifice. The response from the team was astounding! One of the girls I had the privilege of getting to know on this trip was 16 year old Grace.

Grace is an incredible young woman, and she also represents your average teen. I say that because Grace is not necessarily different from any other teen except that she has chosen to do some extraordinary things in the midst of ordinary life Grace came to the Philippines last year and it profoundly impacted her. She had thrown herself into the challenge of traveling light and gathering donations for the Filipino church and this summer Grace is returning with me to the Philippines but this time I didn’t need to make any suggestions, Grace took initiative in using her circles of influence as she put her faith into action.

Have you heard of rainbow loom? I hear it’s the latest craze! Well Grace started a project called Bracelets for Asia, she has been making rainbow loom bracelets to give to teens in SE Asia who have been forced into sexual slavery! What a creative project!

Grace is using her context to make a face to face impact with teens halfway across the world. Grace sees each of those girls sold into slavery as a teen like herself who she might not be able to rescue but she can let them know they are cared for, and that brings hope. Grace’s project has caught on and now hundreds of bracelets have been made! Not only will girls in SE Asia receive a symbol of friendship and value but everyone making the bracelets are learning about the problems of sexual exploitation! While I certainly cannot take credit for the amazing woman Grace is, I have learned something crucial things from leading her and the other teens to the Philippines. I have learned how powerfully God uses teenagers through their creativity, friendships and passion. As youth workers we have an amazing opportunity to help empower our youth groups to live out their faith each day, seeing teens in action is one of the most rewarding things for a youth leader to experience! (If teens in your youth group like rainbow loom and would like to contribute to Bracelets for Asia email me at jane@hopeforher.ca)

Five ways to help teens to walk out their faith in the world:

1.      Talk about issues going on in the world and God’s heart for these problems.

2.      Demonstrate ways to walk out your faith in the world by meeting tangible needs and communicating God’s love.

3.      Provide opportunities for teens to buy in to a cause. Its ok to ask teens to sacrifice something in order to help often this is what creates a sense of ownership and commitment.

4.      Release teens to think up creative solutions to problems they see in their schools, communities and world.

5.      Provide opportunities for your teen to walk out their faith through local and international missions. One great resource for this is Street Invaders, they specialize in teen missions and I can attest to the powerful way God uses this program. If you would like more information go to www.streetinvaders.ca

Jane Galbreath

 Jane is a theology graduate and social work student, living in Saskatchewan. She spends her summers leading international youth mission teams. She is passionate about empowering young women to serve God particularly young women struggling with trauma and mental health issues. Jane has been a victim of sexual violence so she knows the heartache, shame, strength and courage it takes to face being a victim. Jane is a blogger and advocate for other females who have been victims of sexual violence because she knows that it is possible to not only survive but to come out the other side strong. After many years of healing Jane comes to you from that place! For more information and to visit Jane’s blog click here http://hopeforherblog.wordpress.com/about/