‘We are sending out 14 beacons'
Young people at the Baptist Assembly were encouraged to reflect on their relationship with God, and how this impacts all of their lives
The sessions were led by Sam Mead, a youth pastor and member of the Children, Youth and Families Team at Rising Brook Baptist Church in Stafford.
‘The overall theme was "Just Imagine",’ Sam explained. ‘We looked at in, up and out.’
Sessions explored our identity, who God is and how we are made in his image. They related to present day situations: for example, how people use and what they follow on social media. Ultimately God doesn’t want us to follow these things, but to know and follow him.
There was a worksheet called "faithbook", which used the graphics and layout of Facebook to encourage the young people to think about how they pray. Below the question What's on your mind? was the verse 'Pray continually' (1 Thess 5:17); under Mutual friends was the invitation to 'pray for one another (James 5:16); and under Friends was the verse from 1 Tim 2:1 'Pray for all people, asking God for what they need and being thankful to him.'
On the Sunday morning the focus switched to out - how can we do Kingdom on earth? The young people were challenged to go away, look at their schools, home and communities. What changes could they bring in these areas?
Some went down the environmental route, and will challenge schools on the plastic issue. Others spoke of homelessness in their communities, and of what they could do to help. Still more highlighted friendships - helping friends at difficult times.
The young people explored their faith in other creative, thought provoking and funs ways, too. They were invited to ask God one question: what would it be? There were prayer stations: a world map encouraged the praying for people, countries and situations around the world.
Worship was led by Jamie and Charis from Rising Brook, and the young people made their own rap.
‘We had a great time,’ said Sam, ‘trust built up and we were really connecting by the end.
‘We are sending out 14 beacons. Young people face bigger challenges than the generation before, but we believe that change can come from young people.
‘We were proud to share this time with them.’
