We are in the process of creating a network of United Methodist Churches in eastern North Carolina who have ministry specifically to, with and for young adults (18-35).  The purpose of this network is to help direct young adults seeking a church home to congregations that are prepared to engage them.  We also hope that this network will be useful in fostering mentoring relationships with other local congregations who are attempting to reach out to young adults in their communities.  Please take a moment to give us some information about your church and ministry:  

Exploration is an event offered by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry for high school seniors and college students exploring a call to ministry.  Several college students from the NC Conference attended – with funding assistance from the Board of Ordained Ministry and Young Adult Ministries.  David, one of the students who attended from the UM Campus Ministry at UNC-Chapel Hill offered the following reflection:

A new DVD resource in the Conference Media Center: 

The Searching Generation – the Spiritual Life of Twenty-Somethings

Includes commentary from noted figures:  Erwin McManus, Brian McLaren, Craig Detweiler and others.

An article in Leading Ideas from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership at Wesley Seminary written by Jan Rivero, campus minister and director of the Wesley Campus Ministry at UNC-Chapel Hill:  http://www.churchleadership.com/leadingideas/leaddocs/2009/091021_article.html

An retreat for young adults ages 18-28:  December 27-29 at Nags Head on the Outer Banks – sponsored by the Elizabeth City District UMC:  Beach Retreat BEYOND - information and registration.

An article from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership at Wesley Seminary about churches reaching the young unchurched - food for thought with regard to young adult ministry.

Here’s the voice of a young adult  in her search for a church.  What she was looking for was not a church with a young adult ministry but a church that shared her values.  Any church can live out the values young adults are looking for…read on…

In Pursuit of Relevance

Welcome to the Young Adult website. 

You’ll find here information on United Methodist campus ministries at colleges/universities in NC as well as links to various resources for young adults and young adult ministries.  Stay tuned for more about young adults and young adult ministries.

Check out a new resource guide written by one of our young adult ministries team members!  To add comments to this resource guide – click on the “Welcome” title above and the comments box will appear below.  Please note this is a draft document that can change as we receive applicable feedback.

     Does your church desire to engage in ministry with and among young adults? 

     This Resource Guide may offer some questions, thoughts and information for you. 

     We invite comments and reflections.

Available in the Conference Media Center is a DVD with the “John Bamford Interview” from the book/DVD resource:  Video Ministry:  Using Media in Worship Without Going Hollywood by Constance Stella.  This interview offers the insightful voice and view of a young adult.

ICYCE—IX will be held for the first time in Asia in 2010.
 Place/venue:   KWANGLIM VISION LAND – SEOUL, KOREA             Vision Land is newly constructed for youth ministry built by the Kwanlim Methodist Church in Seoul, Korea, where Bishop Sundo Kim, our Regional Secretary, is Pastor Emeritus, and Dr. Chung Suk Kim is the Pastor.

 Date:  July 14-21, 2010 (Wednesday to Wednesday)

 Theme:  “THAT THE WORLD MAY KNOW JESUS CHRIST”

 Age of Participants:  17-30 years

 ICYCE is one of the most significant ministries of World Evangelism.  In the eight previous conferences we have had more than 6000 young persons participate in a life-changing experience.  Our last conference was held in Teresopolis, Brazil with 400 persons from around the world.  The first ICYCE was held 30 years ago, 1980, in Truro, England.

 Our goal in this conference on evangelism with young people is to multiply the witnesses of Christ Jesus our Lord.  Visit the website:  www.worldmethodist.org for updates and further information.