Advance Youth is a movement of young people who have heard the ancient yet relevant question, the call to loving arms that comes from the very heart of God – ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’
Our response. ‘Here I am. Send me!’
Through our TVC Church partnership with The Message, we are now enjoying our second year of Advance Youth. TVC Church member Joe Winterschladen leads this group of teens and journeys with them as they take the gospel to the streets and to their schools. So what does it look like?
We run two events throughout the year: The Gathering, a once a month gathering on a Saturday during term time, where young people from multiple churches in a local area are trained, equipped, and inspired to share the gospel; and The Scattering, a week of mission for young people who want to put their faith into action! We want to help young people keep developing and growing in evangelism, so we’ve got some great resources to help young people as well as youth and church leaders.
Last weekend, advance youth gathered at Stockton baptist Church for a time of worship and teaching, before heading out on to Stockton High street with the sole aim of trying to strike up conversations about Jesus and to offer to pray with people.
At the previous Advance Youth gathering, they met at Preston Park one Saturday. Those of you who know the park will know that the skate park is a big draw for teenagers of a weekend. Filled with the boldness of the Holy Spirit, our young people shared Jesus with their peers and ended up with around 20 youth holding hands and praying together! In true 21st century style, one of the teens filmed this and shared it on his social media.
This is what Joe has to say…
“So encouraging seeing the youth step out in boldness and then themselves being encouraged as they see first hand how God can use them as they partner with the Holy Spirit.”
We just love what God is doing through this next generation of Jesus followers!
Why don’t you join us in thanking God for these young people who are stepping up and stepping out to make Jesus known in Teesside. Why don’t you pray that God would continue to grow their boldness and love of Him?
09 May 2022
