Category Archives: Youth

Hey!
I am back and as this is my first youth report of the year – Happy New Year!!
I thought I would take this time to reflect a little bit about my time in America and how valuable it has been for my ministry here in Liberton Kirk. While I was there I spent 2 weeks having the full Young Life Experience. I stayed with a Young Life family, ran a program (program is all the activities which happen at a camp – both morning and evening clubs and activities) at a camp for 800 young people, saw how they run weekly clubs and bible studies, and met some incredible people who are on fire to spread the Gospel.

The biggest thing that hit me while I was there was at the camp. With 800 teens aged between 15 – 18 and over 100 leaders, I was one of the two leaders who were paid to do youth work. This blew my mind. There were over 100 volunteers, mainly aged in their 20s, giving up their weekends to be shining lights to the young people who they work with every week. Not only that, but almost all of these volunteers run a 2 hour club (like our Delta) every week, a bible study (like our Connection Groups) every week and give up their time to build relationships with kids in their own free
evenings – all around a full time job.

This sort of commitment and vision is there because many of them were Young Life kids themselves, and saw their YL leaders commit their lives to serving them in as many ways as possible. What struck me so hard is the amount they give every week to serve the lives of these kids. For me, this was inspirational. Youth work is way more than a job or a
profession, for these volunteer leaders it is a way of life. Every meal is shared, every spare moment is filled, and every life they touch is one touched by Jesus. Imagine what this area would be if we, together, had this vision for our
local teens. Imagine if every table had an extra space set, if every moment was a chance to share and if every teen was touched by Christ . . . Imagine.

For some dates for your diary, through to the Summer, see box at the top of the next page.

Another busy month at Liberton Kirk and another month of awesome praise and worship!

Power Point and Sleepover
This month was PowerPoint, and afterwards we had another great sleepover!!
PowerPoint was held in Destiny Church on Gorgie Road and attracted over 600 young people. A speaker
from an organisation in London called ‘One Life’ really challenged many of our young people on the position
of Leadership, and how they can be leaders within their churches. We are looking forward to seeing our young people transformed into future leaders of the church! After PowerPoint we held a sleepover where more than 50 young people from Gorgebridge, Liberton Kirk, Liberton Northfield, and our St Andrews friends, all gathered together, and spent an awesome night playing “Just Dance” on the Wii, basketball in the Recreation Hall, and hanging out in the foyer. And, as if that wasn’t enough, our German friends were over and offered
the chance to spend the whole night worshipping God. We turned the Wilson Hall into a worship space in which Karen and Markus spent the whole night singing and praying. It was a fantastic experience for both
leaders and young people alike. 19 young people spent the whole night in the worship room. Some slept, some read their bibles and others just sat in the presence of God. And in the morning, after very few hours of sleep,
we were greeted by bacon rolls and tea!!
I would like to say a huge thank you to all those who helped in the organisation and running of the most awesome Friday night.

Youth Service
Once again, the young people have been given the chance to take over and run their own evening service. This service will be on the 4th December and be looking at God’s Hope in Times of Trial. They are very excited about putting their new found passion for Leadership in to action!!

Alex