The Youth Venture Civil Rights Trip (July 16-24) was an eye-opening experience. Michelle Ramirez shares her experience co-leading this group, sponsored by Mennonite Mission Network. They visited landmarks of the US Civil Rights Movement of the 1950-60s to learn why our faith calls us to stand against injustice and with the oppressed.
Youth Ministry
25 Days of Advent Family Devotional
This family faith formation activity divides the Christmas Narrative leading up to Jesus’ birth into 25 days. One card for every day in December leading up to Christmas, Jesus’ birthday! As Christmas day gets closer, the story of Jesus’ birth will also grow.
100 Inches of Rain
Youth ministry is still vitally important. In fact the church needs its young people to lead today, not ten years down the road.
Jr. High Bash – Practicing His Presence
All in all, it was a night of action, relationship-building, worshiping our Creator and being encouraged to take part in being a free-spirited youth, if only for a few hours!
Conference Begins Building Youth Formation Team
Franconia Conference has begun building an intercultural youth formation team to resource youth leaders and to connect youth across congregations, geographies, and cultures.
Journeying In Faith
By Steve Kriss, Executive Minister, and Mary Nitzsche, Associate Executive Minister As Conference Youth Minister John Stoltzfus completed six years in that role with Franconia Conference in July, he stated, […]
Faith Formation of the Next Generation
As we consider forming faith in our young people, we cannot think that the process of discipleship begins in ninth grade, or can be relegated to a youth pastor.
Are We Ready to Listen?
By John Stoltzfus, Conference Youth Minister I wonder if the Biblical story of Samuel and Eli provides a glimpse of the need for the intergenerational witness of the church community. […]
Together Despite Differences: Youth Worship Event Report
By Madison Smith, Deep Run East In order to bring teens “together despite differences”, Eastern District and Franconia Mennonite Conference held their annual Youth Worship Gathering on June 4, 2016. The […]
Havin' A Blast!
By John Stoltzfus What do you get when you bring together 130 junior high youth from 15 different churches in Franconia and Eastern District Mennonite Conferences? A picture of both the […]
Acting Smaller, Going Deeper, Thinking Wider: A Vision for Youth Ministry
We need to act our size. We can’t pretend to act like the churches we used to be or like the mega church down the road.
Cultivating His Call as He Nurtures Urban Youth
I felt alive. I felt energized. This made sense. I remember praying, “God, give me passion if this is your will.”
Connecting our Stories: Imagining our Future
“Each of our stories is powerful. We need to keep telling these stories and learning how to re-frame them to provide hope for the future … “