Good day!  My name is Alan Brook and I lead the youth ministries at our church. I would like to tell you about our youth ministries.The purpose of our youth ministries is to share Jesus in a way that reaches the youth, both those who know Christ and are looking to grow in their relationship with Him,  and also those who don't yet know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

The age ranges are from 6th grade (after 5th grade classes have been taken) through to 12th grade.

The primary activity for our youth ministry is Youth Group, which is held Sunday evenings from 6:00-8:30 PM at the church in the youth room, Solid Rock.  It is broken up very loosely into Hi time, God time, and Game time.

Hi time is a time when we arrive and just visit, introduce those who are new.  We also go over what is going to be going on in the future weeks as far as other activities that will be doing as a group and also those things going on that some of the youth may be interested in getting involved individually.  Also you can't forget the snacks that we eat when food is
brought; (What kind of youth gathering doesn't have food!).  

God time is also what it sounds like, a time where we get to know Him better.  Depending
on the group, this is a very open discussion about questions that they have, sometimes not necessarily based on the chapter we have read, or it is a dig in and see what God has to say to us today.  The studies are primarily setup to take us through an entire book of the Bible, one chapter a week.  Thechoice of what book to study is based on what the group would like to study, what we have studied recently, and of course if God is giving us some
direction, we study what He is leading us to. We have prayer and sometimes have a praise time (Is there anyone who feels led to get involved with our youth ministry from a praise ministry perspective; youth, college age, or adult, to do praise time that is youth oriented, who is not musical instrument challenged as myself?).  

Last but not least, we will try to have a game time.  The games depend on the group size and whether it is good enough to go outside or not. There are also opportunities for a guys and a gals "deeper walk" study that happens during the week.  This is a little more of an accountability group and geared to talking about what God is doing in each of our lives. Right now the studies are on hold until there are a few folks who would like to get together. These have been open to 9th grade through college age.

The other activities that we do, are planned around the school calendars and family calendars.  Once the calendars are available and school starts, we will plan the years worth of activities.  These activities  include lock-in's around Christmas, an Ice Skating/Christmas shopping event in Tulsa, Young Christians weekend in early April, and a canoe trip down the Illinois River in Tahlequah, Oklahoma in mid July- early August and miscellaneous other
activities such as Christian concerts, campouts, Ski trips, and interdenominational youth gatherings.

All the youth are invited and hopefully and prayerfully this ministry will minister to all the youth, but I also understand if it doesn't.   Please make sure though, that if you are not apart of this youth ministry, get involved in one in the areas.  God calls us to fellowship with Christians (Hebrews 10:24-25).  It plays an important piece in our growth as a believer.
I want to invite any college age folks or adults who are interested in getting involved in anyway with the youth ministry, to come and visit to discuss your ideas and how you would like to get involved.  We would love to have you join us.  There are always things that could be done.  Is God talking to you about getting involved in youth ministry?
Parents, youth ,or anyone with a question, please come and visit with me so we can answer them.

Now a little about my family and I.  Mary Ann and I became believers in 1980.  We have been involved with ministry since 1981(a kindergarten class where some of the students  knew more of the Bible than we did.  A very humbling experience).  We have been working with Jr and Sr High youth ministry since 1983.  Our girls; Amy a junior at OSU,  Jannie a freshman at Johnson County Community College,  and Katie a junior at Ark City High
School have always been a part of our ministry.  We have been involved in the youth ministry of Calvary Chapel of Ark City since 1990.  Mary Ann has stopped being involved in the Sunday evening Youth Group meeting, but she is still very involved with the planning phase as well as being  a leader in all the other activities that we have.  I feel that God has led me to work with youth.  They are my passion and always on my heart.  I praise the Lord
for this passion and pray that He will keep me child like.  You know, Jesus said that we need to be like the little ones.   See Matthew 18:2-6.