What might happen if all generations were to collaborate for the sake of expanding the Kingdom of Christ Jesus?
Younger Generation Church [YG] is the vibrant young adult ministry of the Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church [Texas, USA]. For two decades it has been predominantly known for empowering next generations to lead and minister in one of the three worship experiences afforded each Sabbath morning by the church in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. However, it would be important to share an important behind the scenes [BTS] facet of this vivacious ministry; YG sees itself as a learning laboratory for discipleship including collaborative organic evangelism. Here’s just one example:
Over the years Younger Generation Church [YG] has worked diligently with various local Adventist schools and institutions to foster great mentoring and joint ministry opportunities, intentionally pouring into emerging adults and young ministry professionals.
Pastoral interns from Southwestern Adventist University, pastoral residents and field school students from Andrews University, leadership interns/residents from AdventHealth Southwest, and campus pastors from Burton Adventist Academy name just a few of great ministry colleagues YG has collaborated with through the years. These types of partnerships take considerable investments by YG, but are rarely noticed as they happen with intentionality BTS. The goal is to foster intergenerational mentoring where all generations are learning and growing disciples who make disciples.
Mentoring sessions, apprentice debriefing, ministry supervisions, trainings, tutorials, and financial investments are all part of YG’s leadership laboratory, which not only includes time and effort by the pastor, but also a willingness by church volunteers to have novices and students shadow, learn, and emulate established church adult participants.
So what is the benefit?
There are so many advantages to this type of visionary collaboration, many that go unseen, however one tangible evidence is shared here:
Over the last several years, YG has seen the most baptisms ever in their over 20-year history.
Pastoral interns, ministry residents, campus pastors, youth pastors, pathfinder directors, union officials, pastoral parents, senior pastors, and yes the YG pastor have witnessed dozens of youth, young adults, and adults giving their lives to Jesus, then testifying to the greater community through baptism.
Following baptism, the discipleship continues through the local academy, LIFEgroups, and spiritual mentoring as each baptism candidate is paired with a local church elder. Knowing that baptism is just the start of a new chapter in Christ, YG is making efforts to continue to mold and shape new believers into fully devoted followers of Jesus.
YG is focusing on a future, with further developments to include working more closely with parents, church leaders, and educators to expand the discipleship of next generations.
It is a lot of work? Yes. Is it a process still being tweaked and improved? Yes. Are mistakes still offering opportunities to learn and grow? Most definitely.
One thing is for certain, when we all collaborate and make a commitment to growing together, all generations benefit, and the fruits bear out not only in visible ways, but invisible ways as well.
