Prayer - Petition & Praise

Andrews University: Valerie Phillips, Assistant Dean of University Towers at Andrews University, passed away on December 21.  Please keep the university and her family in your prayers.

Personnel Changes

Joey Pollom: Joey has been appointed as the Youth Director of the Texas Conference,  after serving as the Senior Pastor at the Manassas Virginia Church in the Potomac Conference.

Ken Wetmore: After being the Pastor for the Upper Columbia Academy Church, Ken has accepted the Youth Director position in the Kentucky-Tennessee Conference.

Fernando Verduzco: Fernando worked with the youth and was the Associate Pastor of the Ooltewah Church. He is now the Pathfinder Director and Childrens'/Junior Youth Ministries Director of the Georgia-Cumberland Conference.

Ministry Seekers

Mark Tagaloa: Seeking a position in youth ministry and has over 7 years of ministerial experience. He has a Master of Divinity from Andrews University and possesses qualities in leadership, management and communication. More Info: Contact Mark Tagaloa.

Ministry Openings

Senior Pastor in Central Florida: Position available in the Central Florida/Orlando area. Seeking senior pastors with experience working in large church settings. More info: Contact LookingForAPastor@yahoo.com.

Camp Yorktown Bay: Three task force volunteer positions available. Areas of concentration are administration, grounds and hospitality. More Info: Contact Ray House or Visit www.CampYorktownBay.com.

Maranatha Volunteers International: Three positions, Volunteer Projects Specialist, Video Production Specialist and Office Assistant are available at the office in Roseville, California. More Info: Visit www.Maranatha.org.

Chaplain at Newbold College: Chaplaincy position available at Newbold College. A minimum of a Bachelors degree and previous experience in working with young people in higher education is ideal. More Info: Contact Pastor Jorgensen.

Lecturer in Pastoral Studies at Newbold College: Two positions are available in the Department of Theological Studies. Looking for expertise in leadership, missiology, spirituality, youth ministry, liturgy and homiletics. More Info: Contact Dr. John Baildam.

Miracle Meadows School: Several positions are available at this alternative boarding school for at-risk students ages 7-18. Positions include boy's dorm, girl's dorm, videographer, math/science tutor. More Info: Call 304.782.3630 or Gayle Clark at 304.266.7794.

Adventist Resources

Truth 4 Youth: A dynamic public evangelism program designed to introduce kids ages 5-13 to Christ. This DVD series gives youth the tools and resources to present a full evangelistic program. More Info: Visit YoungDisciple.com.

One Minute Bible: This Bible for students includes 366 daily Bible readings and devotions connecting youth with God everyday. If more study is desired, related texts are provided at the end of each devotion. More Info: Visit Pastor Manny's Youth Ministry Stuff.

Adventist Church Connect: With the help of AdventSource, websites are provided to 350 churches and schools in the Mid-America Union. Sites include free set-up, hosting and support. More Info: Vist AdventistChurchConnect.com or call 877.518.0819.

Non-Denominational Resources

WingClips: At WingClips you can view inspirational movie clips from many of your favorite films. These clips can be downloaded to use in your school, church or other organization. More Info: Visit WingClips.com.

Greater Calling: Greater Calling offfers information on free services to help increase communication. Some options are free audio conferencing and text messaging services. More Info: Visit GreaterCalling.org.

Research

As a partner with Roger Dudley and the Institute of Church Ministry. CYE will be featuring research in the area of youth and young adult ministry.

The National Survey of Youth and Religion (NSYR) surveyed 2,458 emerging adults (18-23 years old) in the 2008 third wave and personally interviewed 230 of them.  Christian Smith’s important book, Souls in Transition, is filled with vital facts—some of them reported in previous newsletters.  Here we look at Religious Beliefs:

Belief in God:

• 78% - Believe in God
• 15% - Unsure about belief in God
• 6% - Do not believe in God

Views of God:

• 63% - Personal being involved in people’s lives
• 10% - Created world but not involved today
• 17% - Not personal; cosmic life force

How close youth feels to God:

• 29% - Extremely or very close
• 12% - Extremely or very distant
• 6% - Does not believe in God

Beliefs about Jesus Christ:

• 68% - Son of God who was raised from the dead
• 11% - An important human teacher but not God
• 1% - Jesus never really existed

Beliefs about the origin of the world:

• 24% - God created the world and did not use evolution
• 42% - God created the world and may have used evolution
• 28% - World is a product of purely natural forces

Beliefs about who goes to heaven:

• 16% - There is no heaven
• 8% - All people go to heaven
• 11% - Only good people go to heaven
• 43% - Only those whose sins are forgiven through faith in Jesus

Believes there is life after death:

• 50% - Definitely
• 9% - Not at all

Check how these figures compare with your young adult group.

Adventist National & International Events

the One project: February 13-14, 2012, in Seattle, Washington. No longer sold out! Due to the overwhelming flurry of requests  hotel space has been expanded and can accommodate a couple hundred more. The room block has also been increased. Registration will be kept open for a couple more weeks. More info: Contact Japhet De Oliveira, or Visit the1project.org.

Church of Refuge Summit: February 15, 2012, in Seattle, Washington, from 7-10am. COR assists churches in providing meaningful, Christ centered ministry for senior youth and young adults. Only 13 of the 75 spots available. More Info: Contact Japhet De Oliveira or Visit CYE.org.

Just Claim It 3: March 7-10, 2012, in Greensboro, North Carolina. All youth and young adults, as well as youth and young adult leaders, are invited to attend this weekend of dynamic worship, community outreach and much more. More info: Visit JCI3.org. (Sponsored by the NAD Youth Department)

Pathfinder Bible Achievement/Bible Bowl: March 31, 2012, in Berrien Springs, Michigan. A fun way to encourage Pathfinders to study the Bible, while they also learn team work and study skills. More Info: Contact Terry Dodge, or Visit PathfinderBibleAchievement.org. (Sponsored by Lake Union Conference & Andrews University Theological Seminary)

Adventist Christian Fellowship/NAD Campus Ministry Conference: April 6-8, 2012, in New York City, New York. ACF/NAD join together, on the campus of Columbia University, to invite students from across the division to talk about campus ministry. More Info: Visit Columbia.edu. (Sponsored by the North American Division)

Pathfinder Bible Experience: April 21, 2012, in Silver Spring, Maryland. NAD Pathfinder Ministries introduces a Pathfinder team challenge on immersion in the Word of God. More info: Contact W. Gene Clapp, or Visit the Event Page. (Sponsored by the NAD Youth Department)

the One project: February 11-12, 2013, in Chicago, Illinois. Celebrating the supremacy of Jesus in the SDA Church. Early bird rates are available now! More Info: Contact Japhet De Oliveira, or Visit the1project.org.

Non-Denominational Events

Passion 2012: January 2-5, 2012, in Atlanta, Georgia. A movement of young believers for God's renown. Passion's mission is to continue to engage the "university moment" with the compelling message of Jesus and the story He is writing around the globe. More info: Visit 268Generation.com.

Planet Wisdom: Through an in-depth look at God's specific attributes, Planet Wisdom events provide an experience for students to discover practical ways they can change the world by becoming more like Him. Event locations and dates vary. More info: Visit PlanetWisdom.com, or call (888) 346-4179.

Acquire the Fire: 27 hours set apart to give your teens a life-transforming experience with Christ. ATF tours occur periodically throughout the year at various locations. More info: Visit ATFTour.com.

Dare2Share: The 2012 "Game Day" Tour, taking place in various locations on various dates, provides training conferences to "inspire, equip and unleash" teens for the most important competition of all. More info: Visit Dare2Share.org.

No Parent Left Behind: A seminar series of three fast-paced and practical sessions led by Dr. Walt Mueller, founder and President of the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding. Host a seminar at your church or school. More info: Visit CPYU.org, or call (800) 807-2798.

Pathfinder Camporees

Pacific Union: March 28-April 1, 2012, at Glen Helen Park, in San Bernardino, California. Theme: "Love, Live, Lead." More info: Visit PUCCamporee.org or Contact Judi Jeffreys at (951) 509-2265.

Northern Asia Pacific Division: August 7-12, 2012, at Jamboree Campsite, in Gosung, Gangwondo, Korea. Theme: "Mission from the Northeast" (Daniel 11:44). More Info: Contact Angela Han.

Mid-America Union: July 25-28, 2012, in Custer, South Dakota. Theme: "Truth to Freedom." More Info: Contact Hubert Cisneros.

Columbia Union: August 8-12, 2012, at Camp Mohaven, in Danville, Ohio. Them: "Choose Without Compromise." More Info: Visit Camporee Website or Contact Pam Scheib.

North Pacific Union: September 13-16, 2012, in Astoria, Oregon. Theme: "My Heart for Jesus." More Info: Visit: NPUC.org.

Southern Union: October 10-14, 2012, at Camp Kulaqua, in High Springs, Florida. Theme: " Making a Difference." More Info: Contact Alicia Zinner.

Miscellaneous

Atlantic Union Conference Youth Ministries: The youth ministries department has a new website up and running as of December 30, 2011! You can view the site by visiting AUYouth.com.

North Point's iBand: This community church just outside of Atlanta, Georgia has found a very innovative way to use technology in their church. Watch this YouTube Video to see just how creative they are with iPads and iPhones.

Your First Two Years in Ministry: This book by Doug Fields offers some golden nuggets for those just entering into the youth ministry field. Here they are:

• Relationships are the key to a healthy ministry.
• A healthy youth ministry reaches not only the teanager, but the entire family.
• You WILL encounter conflict, so learn some effective tools of conflict management.
• Don't be a Lone Ranger youth pastor. A team of leaders is essential.
• Don't forget the value of student leadership in your ministry.
• Continually evaluate what you're doing. Remember what worked in one location or church may not work in another...and vice versa.
• Don't come in and change everything at once.
• Be gentle with yourself - the first two years in a ministry are very difficult.

TED Annual Report: The Trans-European Division of Seventh-day Adventists has provided their 2011 Annual Report in the form of a video. Many 'out-of-the-box youth/young adult ministries are highlighted in this YouTube Video of their report.

Committed: These graduates from Oakwood University are the 2010 winners of NBC's "The Sing Off." One of the members from this six-man a cappella group said, "When you have a set of beliefs, stick to them. With God, anything is possible." You can view the complete interview and hear their story on the Call on Faith App in the App Store under the "Celebrity Stories of Faith" tab.