Our world is constantly changing and not for the better. In the United States we have seen our country shift from the solid religious roots of our founding fathers, to a shifting post-Christian secular culture. In the midst of all this change, children and teenagers must decide who they are as individuals and what they believe in as they grow and make the transition into adulthood. That is a difficult task today when their peers, their parents, the media, and their church (if they have one) are all teaching them different world views.

This ever changing landscape makes youth ministry very challenging. Long gone are the days where you can win youth over with sheer entertainment or a pizza party in the youth room of your church. Not only that, but anything that we offer our youth without substance is no different from anything else the world has to offer right now. The bad news is, we will probably lose the battle of trying to out-entertain our competition, and we will exhaust ourselves by constantly trying to find the next big thing. 

The good news is that in spite of these hurdles, the Global Methodist Church is perfectly positioned to meet youth exactly where they are and lead them into a lifelong journey with Jesus Christ, where they can continue to grow and thrive under solid biblical teaching. Though we live in a changing culture, we have The Gospel and a God who does not change, and the same tools that have existed since the foundation of the Church at Pentecost, such as prayer, the Bible, fellowship, and outreach exist to give them guideposts in the journey toward the truth. 

In the Global Methodist Church, we recognize that young people are hungry for the truth, and the church is one of the only places they can go for solid biblical teaching and discipleship. In the GMC we place a great emphasis on the primacy of scripture and everything that we teach will be rooted in God’s Word. 

The Global Methodist Church has also released a great resource through Seedbed - A Catechism of Christian Faith and Doctrine for the Global Methodist Church. This resource can also be found in PDF format on the Global Methodist Church website. This helpful booklet contains seventy-seven questions and answers with scripture references that can be used in youth ministry to teach foundational truths about Christianity and the Wesleyan tradition. 

  Youth also have a great opportunity to grow in the GMC through an emphasis on Wesleyan discipleship practices. I am a firm believer that life change happens within the context of relationships and John Wesley knew this truth as well. He organized and participated in small group meetings often called “class meetings” where people could encourage one another and hold each other accountable. In the GMC youth should have the opportunity to meet together in small groups with caring peers and leaders to solidify and grow their faith. 

Another great way for youth to grow in their faith is through missions and outreach. Methodists have always had a great response to the poor, marginalized, and the lost, and the Global Methodist Church will continue in this tradition as we prioritize the sacred worth of every person. We will have many opportunities to put our faith into action and witness how God can work in us and through us when we step out of our comfort zones to reach the physical and spiritual needs of our neighbors. 

As a last word, I leave you with the invitation of Jesus, to “come and see.” Come experience what youth ministry is like within the Global Methodist Church for yourself or your family. It is a great opportunity to get our youth engaged in a meaningful, powerful, and transformational way, and as leaders, we have the privilege of empowering the next generation to become leaders in the church and the world tomorrow.