Heartland Youth
The Heartland Youth Program has grown into one of the most active youth ministries in Medina County. Each year we hold numerous events and activities that give youth an opportunity to learn about themselves and about God. In 2005, we made a few adjustments with our focus and have seen significant growth with many of our youth. What is it all about? Our purpose is to help students become followers of Jesus Christ. Through the years we have found that this process occurs at a different pace for each student who walks through our doors. Sometimes the pace is fast, other times we feel our activities probably play a very small role in the the overall picture of a kid!
There are two scripture statements which guide everything we do as a ministry. They are the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. The Great Commandment can be found in the New Testament, in Matthew 22:37-40. It says "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." The Great Commission is found in Matthew 28:19-20 and says "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded of you. And surely I am with you you always, to the very end of the age."
Every activity we plan is focused on the purposes these two scripture verses provide. These purposes include Honor (Love the Lord your God...), Serve (Love your neighbor as yourself...), Reach (Go and make disciples...), Connect (baptizing them in the name...), and Grow (teaching to obey everything I have taught you). These two directives help us focus our efforts and give us direction for our group.
The main event our youth group provides takes place on most Sunday evenings at the Medina Community Recreation Center. From 6:00 to 7:30 PM The Middle School (6-8 grade) students take over the place as we run a high energy program that considers the needs and desires of Junior High students. From 7:30 to 9:00 PM we tone it down a little as the Senior High students invade. The purpose of our Sunday evening program is to provide an opportunity for our students to invite friends to a user friendly event (Reach), as well as provide a social opportunity like-minded youth (Connect). Another goal we accomplish with this program is providing basic Christian instruction (Grow) on any number of topics that interest youth.