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Ohio District Council Assembly of God Youth Ministries
Our Featured Organization of the Month!
Mobilizing students to “win, build, and send” are the motivating reasons behind the Youth Ministries Program developed by the Assemblies of God District Council in Columbus, Ohio. This dynamic and thriving program is designed to develop a healthy youth ministry in each one of the 260 Ohio-based Assembly of God churches.
The first goal of “winning youth” is implemented through the Council’s area conventions and summer youth camps. The 2-day conventions feature a keynote speaker, a popular worship band as well as a concert band and are well attended by over 3,000 students. Summer youth camps provide two weeklong camping opportunities for middle and high school youth. The Council’s new Heartland Conference Retreat Center, situated on over 350 beautiful wooded acres, provides an ideal location for the 500 to 600 young men and women who attend each week. The Retreat Center combines the physical (hiking trails, mountain bikes and high ropes courses) with the spiritual (evening worship services). This year, three camps are planned at the Center to accommodate the growing numbers of students involved.
Over 1,200 students have participated in the Fine Arts Festivals, which provide another wonderful opportunity for youth. The Festivals feature a variety of activities for student participation, from vocal solos to short sermons. These festivals, along with several retreat opportunities, focus on the goal of “building” ministry leaders. Annual mission trips to El Salvador along with campus ministries provide the third goal of “sending youth.” According to Konan Stephens, District Youth Director, these opportunities allow youth “to develop and discover their God given gifts.” Ending his letters with the closing, “Consumed by the Call,” Konan’s positive energy and strong faith are evident in everything he does. He firmly believes in “helping youth discover their many talents and abilities to help them become who God has called them to be.”
Fundraising activities help provide money for the many Youth Ministries' activities and support a recent pledge for a new swimming pool at the retreat center. Lollipop sales have been very successful because they sell fast and provide students with a product that can be easily transported anywhere to sell. Konan appreciates the fact that the pops are “fairly rugged,” unlike chocolate products that often melt. He also appreciates FundRaising.Com’s return policy of accepting unopened boxes of the carousel rounds variety pack, when necessary.
We will be sending the Youth Ministries Program a master case of carousel round lollipops for being our featured organization of the month. We wish the youth involved in this tremendous program the very best of luck as they strive to develop their faith and life potential.
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