Young Adult Ministries

Andrew J. Gathman

The story of Young Adult Ministries over the course of last year is a story of the emergence of a new era for Central Presbyterian Church. The year began with a renewed commitment to reach young people with the launch of the EPIC service. This endeavor, though initially shrouded in uncertainty, has proven to be successful beyond anyone's imagination and continues to be blessed by God. Specifically, the service has taken great strides in revitalizing the church's ministry to young adults.

In the meantime, the peer-led College & Career Fellowship continued its steady growth. The group's activities throughout the year were characterized by a small-group-style Sunday morning gathering, periodic social events, and frequent informal get-togethers. Highlights include two young women's retreats and several coffeehouses, one of which brought in several hundred people. Throughout the year, the group provided young adults of the church with fellowship, spiritual growth, and a place to meet new people.

This year also more clearly revealed the need for full-time staff support to fully meet the needs of those we intend to reach, especially in providing ministry structure to help accommodate the young adults brought in by the new service. As a result, Central launched Young Adult Ministries in November, in order to further advance what EPIC began. As a vital part of Central's mission, Young Adult Ministries is here to provide a place for people in their twenties and early thirties to connect, grow, and serve God with their gifts and talents.

Already, the effort Central is making to reach young men and women has made a dramatic impact. Attendance by young adults at weekly services has grown to nearly 100 and the number of young adults involved in ministry outside of Sunday morning is growing as well. In addition, anywhere from 35 to 50 college students can be found worshiping with us on Sundays when the colleges are in session. There also seems to be a growing sense of excitement and momentum about opportunities for young adults at Central.

The plan for the upcoming year is to continue with social activities, small groups, and other elements of the current ministry. In the meantime, the next nine months will be spent forming a core group of young adult leaders to discern the ministry's identity and mission and develop a plan for carrying out this mission. With God's help, the launch of new ministry programming will occur in September 2002. I believe that taking significant time for planning and preparation will be instrumental to building a solid foundation for the future.

As Young Adult Ministries grows and blossoms over the coming months, please pray for God's continued guidance. Pray especially for God to raise up young adult leaders who will have a passion and vision for reaching their postmodern peers.

Finally, I want to offer a heartfelt thanks to everyone who has in some way supported the young adults of this church and the ministries that are trying to reach this generation. I'd also like to say thank you to all who continue to encourage and pray for Eileen and me during this new phase of our ministry together.