Hello, from Pastor Ron

John 14:1

"Let not your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me." (NLT)

Prayer - Petition & Praise

Inter-American Division: Eliezer Melendez, former Youth Director for the division, passed away on January 18, 2012. He touched many lives for Christ. Please keep his family, friends and the division in your prayers.

Daphne Knecht: Daphne, a 22-year old gymanst and Warrior for Christ, lost her battle to a rare form of brain cancer on January 28, 2012. She attended Southern Adventist University and Andrews University. Please keep her family and friends in your prayers during this time.

David Hall: After his open heart surgery in December, we praise God that the Nevada-Utah Conference Youth Director is recovering very well. There are still some complications and many more weeks of cardiac rehab. Your prayers are appreciated.

Personnel Changes

Geoff Star: After spending two and a half years at Andrews University Theological Seminary to finish his Masters of Divinity, Geoff returns to the Mountain View Conference. He will be serving as the Youth Ministries Director.

Denison Sager: Denison is now the Youth Director of the Iowa-Missouri Conference after serving as a teacher at Sunnydale Academy.

Ministry Seekers

No Items This Month

If you are a youth professional seeking a position in youth ministry, send your information to info@cye.org.

Ministry Openings

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 boys' dorm, girls' dorm, videographer and math/science tutor. More Info: Call 304.782.3630 or Gayle Clark at 304.266.7794.

Adventist Resources

"Felts" iPad App: GraceLink is a free app from the Sabbath School and Personal Ministries Department of the General Conference. The app offers electronic felts based on the kindergarten Bible study guide quarterlies. More Info: Visit the App Store.

Disciples in Action Curriculum: This youth and young adults curriculum series developed by the General Conference is for youth leaders to help youth in their journey toward an authentic walk with Jesus. More Info: Visit GCYouthMinistries.org.

GODencounters Starter Pak: This trilogy of free, downloadable resorces was created by the Younger Generation Church Pastor of the Arlington SDA Church. It is to help youth leaders start young adult ministries. More Info: Visit the Downloadable Site.

Non-Denominational Resources

KidsBibleInfo Website: This website offers Bible games, questions, stories and more. It has been developed especially for kids ages 6-12 and has grown out of BibleInfo.com. More Info: Visit KidsBibleInfo.com.

You Lost Me: This book by David Kinnaman of the Barna Group is about why young Christians are leaving the church...and rethinking faith. More Info: Visit Barna.org.

Project PATCH: Beginning in 1984, this Christian foster placement and referral service, is a ranch that provides residential therapeutic programs for at-risk youth. More Info: Visit ProjectPatch.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:

In the past two years:

• 24% - Have become more religious.
• 59% - Have stayed about the same.
• 17% - Have become less religious.
• 48% - Had a definite answer to prayer or specific guidance from God.
• 41% - Witnessed or experienced a miracle from God.
• 37% - Made a personal commitment to live their life for God.
• 24% - Attended a religious retreat or conference.
• 15% - Went on a missions team or religious service project.
• 69% - Were invited to attend religious services with someone.
• 43% - Regularly prayed to give thanks before or after meals.

Check how these percentages compare with your young adult group.

Adventist National & International Events

the One project: February 13-14, 2012, in Seattle, Washington. Celebrating the supremacy of Jesus in the Adventist Church. SOLD OUT. 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)

Camp Yorktown Bay 50 Year Celebration: June 30-July 1, 2012, in Mountain Pine, Arkansas. Pastor Ron Whitehead will be speaking and the Bond Family will be providing music. More Info: Contact Ray House or Visit CampYorktownBay.com.

The Ultimate Workout: July 15-30, 2012, in Nicaragua. This mission trip teens will be full of projects and will be full of fun, hard work, adventure, service, and spiritual growth. More Info: Visit Maranatha.org.

The Collegiate Project: July 15-30, 2012, in Nicaragua. This mission trip is designed for college aged young adults. Participants will build One-Day Church structures in rural communities. More Info: Visit Maranatha.org.

The Young Adult Project: August 1-13, 2012, in Nicaragua. This mission trip is for those ages 18-35. There will be construction, community service, new connections and spiritual opportunities throughout this project. More Info: Visit Maranatha.org.

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

Non-Denominational Events

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

Football & Military Support: With the Super Bowl quickly approaching, here is a photo showing the support that the Green Bay Packers showed to the veterans and those serving in the military.

World's Largest Company: Walmart is the world's largest company and here are some statistics:

• Employees - 2.1 million (as of January 31, 2011)
• Revenue - $422 billion (for fiscal year ended January 31, 2011)
• Obstacle Watch - Finding new sources of significant growth is tough when you are the world's largest company.

Question - If Adventist youth ministry was a business what is our source of growth? Please send your ideas to Ron Whitehead.

(Source: Fortune, December 26, 2011)

You Lost Me: Barna, a Christian research and resource organization recently completed a five-year study including 1,296 young adults who were current or former churchgoers. Here are six different reasons why three out of every five young Christians (59%) disconnect either permanently or for an extended period of time from church life after age 15:

• Churches seem overprotective.
• Teens' and twentysomethings' experience of Christianity is shallow.
• Churches come across as antagonistic to science.
• Young Christians' church experiences related to sexuality are often simplistic and judgmental.
• They wrestle with the exclusive nature of Christianity.
• The church feels unfriendly to those who doubt.

(Source: afaJournal, January 2012 and Barna.org)

GC World Budget Funds: The budget of the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s world headquarters this year will fund mission work and administrative support outside of North America, as well as the operation of the headquarters building. More Info: Visit News.Adventist.org.