Pastor Anthony’s take on youth ministry:

Youth ministry has gone through a lot in the thirty some-odd years that it has “officially” been around.  Youth ministry as a separate group in the church with a separate pastor is a fairly new concept.  Many churches still have nothing specifically designed for the youth.  A lot of people view youth ministry as simply a big supervised party for the teens, an adolescent version of babysitting.  

As a 10-year veteran of youth ministry I can honestly say that it does sometimes feel that way!  However, the core and heart of true youth ministry cannot be further from that perception.  By the way, notice I am using the phrase "youth ministry".  A youth group is simply a club, a clique, just teens hanging out.  Church and religion is not necessary for such a group.  But youth ministry is centered on knowing and serving Jesus Christ.  The difference is night and day!  We must always fight against the "youth group" attitude.  

There is a huge spiritual generation gap today.  Sixty years ago the majority of our country had a basic moral foundation.  A painful truth is that this foundation has simply not been laid for most of today's generation of youth.  The Bible, the Ten Commandments, church attendance and other essential faith building blocks are now no longer a major priority of people in this country.  This makes youth ministry a key priority and absolute necessity in the church now, not only to give the youth of today hope, but for the future of our families, country, world and Church.   

We believe this world is in need of change, in need of revolution, and we believe it lies within and through teenagers giving themselves wholly to Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, walking in His steps, and sharing His love and salvation with a hurt and broken world.  This is why we "do" youth ministry.