INSTILLING A CALL TO MISSIONS
“Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.’” (Matthew 9:37, ESV) There are many times when the toil and warfare of ministry seems to be in vain, including, those times when planters survey the land and become discouraged by all of the work yet to be done. However, just when it seems as though it’s a bit more than a few can handle something happens. A bud of hope begins to appear: a family comes to Christ; a child experiences the holy spirit for the first time; God sends a helping hand.
Within these first few months of 2016, God has been doing some amazing things. Several of our school families are attending family night ministry church services on a more consistent basis. Some of our youngest children are displaying great faith through their desire to pray for others’ needs without being prompted to do so. Some of our youth are identifying with the call to missions work and seeking the Holy Spirit. And God is continuously entrusting us with new souls.
However, our prayer is that the few seeds we’ve been planting will result in a massive harvest reaped by the next generation of planters that our ministry is investing in now. In this, we are set on imparting a missions mindset in our children and youth.
Throughout the month of March we have been putting special emphasis on teaching our children about missions. Our youth have been getting involved in the annual Missions Convention hosted by our churches. Our school hosted
Missions Week, in which four missionaries came to speak to our children about missions work. And all month we have been showing our children the importance of supporting missionaries through giving. And we’re proud say that…Spring Garden Academy raised $400 in 10 days!
DISCIPLESHIP FOR YOUTH
Next Generation Ministries is intentional about providing a training ground that cultivates the spiritual gifts and encourages biblical literacy in our youth. We encourage youth to use their gifts to minister at community events and church services. Our young people have ministered through speaking, dance, drama, spoken word, and music. Youth have also participated in Bible Quiz, a discipleship ministry that uses competitive events as tools to encourage teens’ (6th-12th grades) engagement in the word of God.
We will continue on this journey of growth with our youth this summer through our Youth Leadership Center. We ask that you continue to pray for our young people as they identify and grow their spiritual and natural gifts through our youth ministries.
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
April is National Volunteer Month, a time of year dedicated to honoring volunteers in our communities. In light of this we would like to spotlight one of our very own faithful volunteers, Burgette McKethan.
Ms. Burgette has been serving in both churches and Next Generation Ministries for the past several months now, and we are so grateful to have her in our family. Each Friday she is in the kitchen preparing and serving food for families from the community who attend Family Night. She also helps out with preparations for Compassion Ministries, special events, and community outreach.
The world is
hugged by the faithful arms of volunteers.-Terri Guillemets
Pastor Mark Boucher, current pastor of Highway Tabernacle, speaks of her service in the church, “It has been said, that ‘everybody has an opinion, but few have an example.’ Burgette is truly an example and model of one who serves and loves others.” He continues, “Every time I see her, she is looking for ways to lighten the load of someone else! Because of her Christ-like attitude, Burgette has endeared herself to the people of Highway and Resurrection Life. It is truly a joy having Burgette as part of our church family.”
Even the staff at Spring Garden Academy have taken notice of her service. “It’s volunteers like Ms. Burgette that keep non-profits afloat. She is always willing to help no matter what, and she always shows up with a smile,” says Marketing Intern, Cambriae Bates. We are grateful for the dedicated people God is sending to our ministry to serve the community. We invite you to join us as we continue invest in our communities together.
neighborhood of Philadelphia, Trisha, shared, “I don’t do the things I used to do. I’m changed.” Coming into the experience Trisha said she was going through a lot personally, however, she began to see God working in her as she connected with other young believers. She
Another attendee Mai, who’s been a part of Next Generation Ministries for several years now, went into the experience merely expecting to have fun with friends. She spoke of the retreat, “I didn’t expect to understand the testimonies and messages, but I did. [The retreat] brought me closer to God and I felt the Holy Spirit while there.” We’re grateful for the work that God has done and is continuing to do in our youth! Let’s continue to work together to reap the harvest of souls in this city and pray for these emerging leaders.
As many of you know, before there was a Next Generation Ministries, there was Highway Ministries.
he wanted to do c h u r c h – r e l a t e d work, he did not see what was coming next. Pastor Mark Boucher, the current pastor of Highway Tabernacle, shared with Kuruvilla that there was a need for a pastor for the newly restored Resurrection Life Church. After months of prayer and contemplation with his wife, Elizabeth, Kuruvilla embraced the call once he received confi rmation from God. He is fully committed and loves the people of North Philadelphia.