In this video, Bishop Ward celebrates youth ministry and gives thanks for those who lead and guide the youth in our conference.
Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ. This week is a high time in youth ministry in the North Carolina Annual Conference. The Annual Conference Session (ACS) for youth is unfolding, even as you hear these words. Young people gather to celebrate their life as Christians, to grow deeper into their commitment to Jesus Christ, to consider issues in our world in a way that Christians engage them, and to elect their officers for the next year.
We give thanks for all the ways that youth ministry continues in the center of our life together as an annual conference. Last month, young people gathered for Breakaway. Their theme was “Aslan on the Move” and, as they remembered the story of C.S. Lewis’, “The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe,” Aslan the Christ figure was large among them.
We give thanks that God indeed is on the move among those who are young in our annual conference, spilling over to all of us. This week at ACS our young people are focusing on Star Wars and “the force.” The force of Jesus Christ, the force of God that is with us. We celebrate the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
We give thanks for the creativity of those who work with youth in every church in the North Carolina Annual Conference and for those who lead and guide our Conference Youth Ministry.
We look forward to events that will continue to unfold, especially Pilgrimage, our great rally event for young people and those who lead them in November. Now is the time to mark your calendar for Pilgrimage and to offer yourself in leadership for this wonderful annual event in November.
Let us continue to offer our prayers for those who are young, for those gathered at ACS this week, for the young people and children in our own churches, for the young people and children in our communities. May we be known for our love of young people. May Christ be with you today and always.