Youth Ministry Report

BACKGROUND: DISRUPTED BY THE PANDEMIC

Over the last two years, the world has changed. A global pandemic has disrupted and impacted the world like never before in history. Overnight, the world has changed. The constant uncertainty of day-to-day life has caused the youth department to shift from inperson meetings to innovating programming online.

Although the virus has created a crisis over these last two years, we see this crisis as an opportunity to not adapt but innovate—not as an interruption but a disruption — not to settle but to become new virtual pioneers.

UNIFORM MINISTRY COORDINATORS

Janeth Vasquez UM. Coordinator Sophie Sabanda Exec. Pathfinders Samantha Tshuma Exec. MG Marianne Hussell Exec. Adventurers

DATE: NOVEMBER 2021

CHALLENGES

The pandemic has caused severe social isolation with our youth; lack of in- per son meetings due to COVID; mental health has been on the rise; our youth have become "Zoomed" out and need more physical and social activity.

OPPORTUNITIES

The pandemic has forced us to come up with new and creative ways to do youth ministry. Virtual programing has allowed us the convenience to gather online in the comfort of our own homes.

TRAINING SEMINARS

• Understanding Gen Z • Millennials & Church • Growing Younger • Bubbles: Small Groups • Urban Missional Small Groups • Church 2.0 • Metaverse and the Future • Church • Urban Ministry 101 • Elevate X-Pop up Church • Hustling on the Blockchain • Race Relations 101 • Cosmopolitan Theology • What’s in Your Hand • Spiritual Gifts • Student of the Game: Investing

VIRTUAL PROGRAMS

July 3, 2020 "Real Talk about Racism"— Dr. Kevin Burrell July 20, 2020 "Be Still"— Virtual Camp Meeting Oct 3, 2020 "Bubbles"— NADEI-Dr. Anthony Wagnor Smith Oct 10, 2020 "Unbreakable"— GC Youth Director-Pastor Pako Nov 28a, 2020"Unshakable" — Pastor Mathew Feeley Dec 5, 2020 "Unshackled"— Pastor Ron Sydney Jan 30, 2021 "Vision Check 2021"— Pastor Jordane Smith Feb 6, 2021 "Disuption: Youth & Entrepreneurship"— Doug Monchrie Feb 27, 2021 "Youth and Mental Health"— Dr. Patrick Jacques Mar 20, 2021 "Global Youth Day ‘Reaching Out’"— Pastor Asia Lennon Mar 27, 2021 "#StopAsianHate"— Pastor In Pyo Hong Apr 24, 2021 "Advocacy, Activism & Allyship"— Dany Pen May 1, 2021 "Breaking the Silence of Abuse"— Elise Kruithof Jun 26, 2021 "First Nations: Standing in Solidarity"— Dieulita Datus Jul 3, 2021 "Standing with the Muslim Community"— Sadia Khan Jul 10, 2021 "This Is Us"— Virtual Camp Meeting Oct 3, 2021 "Making It Through the Pandemic"— Nwamiko Madden Oct 30, 2021 "Faith in a Digital World"— Pastor Lawel Natufe Nov 13, 2021 "Praying Through the Pandemic"— Pastor Sandra Wall Dec 4, 2021 "Social Connection: How to Stay social"— Pastor John Scott Dec 4, 2021 "Small Group Retreat" The Shift"— Dr. Lyle Notice

Youth Ministry Report

WHAT IS UNIFORMED MINISTRIES?

The Uniformed Ministries of the Alberta Conference Youth Department is made up of Adventurers (ages 4–9) and Pathfinders (ages of 10–15). The Master Guide is considered to be high-level leadership certification within the Youth Department. You must be at least 16 years of age to become an invested Master Guide.

ADVENTURERS

In 2020, we had 25 clubs, 515 members, and 62 staff. In 2021, we have 204 members and 67 staff.

PATHFINDERS

In 2021, we have a total of 25 clubs with over 250 Pathfinders within the Alberta Conference.

MASTER GUIDES

We have over 50 Master Guide Leaders, 1 master guide club, and over 20 master guides in training.

THE FUTURE

Since the start of the global pandemic in March 2020, the world has never been the same. Our world is different; we have been socialized into a whole new digital world. This disruption has caused a shift in our thinking when it comes to youth ministry. As it said, "Church is no longer a place, time, date, or a program." The methods on which we have relied in the past to impact our youth must look very different for this new generation. With the coming rise of the internet 3.0 and the Metaverse, the Youth Department will have to continually find new, creative, and innovative ways to reach the younger demographic of Alberta. However, by God's grace, we are well-poised to meet the challenges of this new digital frontier. Uniformed Ministries, under its strong leadership, has risen to meet the challenges. The Youth Department as a whole has found more efficient and effective ways in sharing inspiring messages of the gospel of Jesus Christ. As we approach this new post-pandemic world, we look forward to what the future holds because we know Who holds the future.

Submitted by Dr. Lyle Notice Youth Director