Leaving Atlanta, much more relaxed and haven’t had that much sleep but still feel fresh……….had a great time. it was more of a family atmosphere………..Pastor.Palmer and his wife had really taken care of me…….i was very touched by the love showed by the ATLANTA TAMIL CHURCH……..congregation……..

fred

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hey guys,

thanks for your prayers……….feeling much better……..most of you who know me………can understand that i don’t feel down………….that easily……….but this situation is not about me……..thats the whole thing………..but thanks for your prayers……..it has indeed made a difference……

fred

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hi
Right now i am in Atlanta…….got 4 more sundays to go……….i am mentally a bit tired……..maybe missing my Carol and the boys………kindly pray for me as the Lord’s grace can alone keep me pumped up………and also some worries in my head………after a very long time………and the worry is not about me……..so remember me and say a word of prayer……….to the Father to strengthen me…….

love,
fred

reaching India on OCT 14TH

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www.TeenLifeMinistries.com

Attend as many seminars, workshops and classes as possible that will help you with your walk with God and will enhance your ability to reach teens.

Be extremely patient with your teens. They will not all mature at the same level.

Care. Find ways to let them know you care about them.

Determined. Be determined to do everything within your power to help your teens get to heaven.

Evaluate. Constantly evaluate your life and your ministry. Set aside at least an hour a month to evaluate where you are with God and where your ministry is with God.

Forget about the mistakes you have made in ministry. Learn from them and move on–do not dwell on them.

Give of yourself, your time and even your material blessings whenever possible.

Happiness. Be happy in what you are doing.

Involve parents as much as possible. Many parents want to help in youth ministry but do not want to get in your way or the way of their teen (if they have one in the youth group).

Journey. Youth ministry is a journey. It has no end; it is constant. The lives you change will live on and the lives they change will continue the journey you started years ago.

Keep it simple. We often think that the deeper and more complex the ministry the better it is. Try to keep it simple. Be old school–write notes and make phone calls. Give hugs and words of encouragement. Sometimes the simplest acts have the greatest impact.

Love unconditionally. You will have teens who get on your last nerve–love them anyway. You will have teens who disappoint you greatly–love them anyway. You will have teens who might leave your ministry and not be any closer to God–love them anyway.

Memories. Make a lot of memories for your teens to draw from when they leave your ministry. Create scrapbooks, take pictures and have a youth group reunion just to get the old group together.

Nurture. Provide support and encouragement during your teens’ time of training.

Open arms and an open heart. Teens will come to you for a number of reasons. Whatever the reason is, good or bad, have open arms and an open heart. They often just need a kind word or a pat on the shoulder. Whatever the case, be there for them.

Provide stability for your teens. Many teens are raised in an unstable environment and it is not their fault. Be the stabilizing force for them to lean on in times of need.

Quality and quantity time. Your teens demand a lot of your time and that time should be quality. However, many teens do not demand quality time; they are happy with you just being around as their safety net. Quality and quantity time are vitally important.

Relationships. Ministry is all about relationships. Put your relationship with God and His teens above any “programs” or activities.

Study to show yourself approved unto God. Do not be just a daily Bible reader but be a daily Bible student.

Teach your teens the love of God and how to have a relationship with Him. Teach your teens how to love their parents and others. Teach your teens that love is what Jesus is all about.

Understanding. There is not much more important than being an understanding youth worker. When a teen goes through a break up we might think it’s trivial or even funny but to the teen it is traumatic. When a teen approaches you with an issue, be understanding in the way you act verbally as well as nonverbally.

Visit. This is another old school technique. Drop by just to check on a teen. Ask how they are doing in school. Ask how their walk with God is going. A visit will go a long way in letting them know you care.

Watch. Yes, that’s right. Watch their games, watch their plays, watch them cheer and watch them play in the band. Just show an interest in the things they do away from church. You might even get to meet a few of their unchurched friends from school.

Xample. I know the spelling is a stretch but lead by example. Teens can read right through talking the talk but not walking the walk.

You. It’s not about you, it’s about Him. (Oh, but it is about you and how you reach out to others for Him.)

Zero in on “fringe” teens. Many youth ministries zero in on the “good” kids all the time and forget about those who really need help.

BLESSINGS!

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