by Jonathan Ramirez

We often look at events like NYA, AA convention, or youth camps as eye-opening experiences. We tend to see high levels of media production, amazing musicians, and anointed preachers that turn empty venues into atmospheres where lives are transformed. I would like to ask ourselves a question. “Can our local youth groups really create events that move a community into giving their life for Jesus? When I asked myself these questions while starting my walk in youth leadership, I wanted to learn how to start making my own events at the local level! I will now share some of my observations that will help you get grounded in some principles to aid you in starting your first event or in planning future events with success.

OBEYING A VISION/IDEA GOD HAS SET IN YOU

Before starting any event, cell group, or even just a hangout with some friends, there needs to be a reason for the activity. Are you creating youth events just for the numbers or for the purpose of saving the lost? Are you hanging out with your friends just for a good time, or are you purposely looking for the opportunity to talk about Jesus with them? You may be asking yourself, “What is the vision of God?”  Scripture shows us that the Lord Jesus Christ had a clear vision to save the lost. Luke 19:9 says, “For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost”. Our events and ministries should primarily be focused on saving the lost. If you are creating an event that’s not tailored towards souls, restart and realign the event to the vision!

PROPER PLANNING AND EXECUTION

What you see at NYA or at convention is a combination of proper planning and true dedication to the things of the Lord. One main reason many youth get discouraged in youth ministry is that sometimes they don’t even know where to start when it comes to making events. My greatest recommendation is to ask to have a conversation with your pastor or even your youth counselors. You can explain an idea to them and see the proper steps to get that idea in motion. Many young people have great ideas, but never speak up about them! Trust me when I say this: your pastor wants to hear your ideas, your youth leader wants to hear your ideas! Preparing for an event has to start with focusing on how the souls will react to your idea.

For example, If you live in an area where your church demographic is mainly Spanish-speaking but you are thinking of inviting an English-speaking preacher, you should find an interpreter for the service to accommodate those who speak Spanish. You can’t expect your only Spanish-speaking friends to understand the Word, or even the songs, if everything is in English. Remember, the goal is about souls! Does it take more time to learn bilingual songs? Yes, it does. Does it take more time to find an interpreter? Yes, it does. Does it take more time for the media team to come up with bilingual designs for the main screens at the church? Yes, it does.

Nevertheless, we figure out all these variables in the planning process before executing our idea in the community. Poor planning creates situations like the classic door-knocking scenario where people want to evangelize with tracks, but the tracks are only in Spanish. You end up knocking on the door, and surprise – someone who only speaks English! You end up giving them a Spanish track because that’s all that was prepared – not the best look! Situations like this are why it’s always a good idea to plan ahead with your pastor or youth board to avoid similar issues in the future!

MISSION + 1/LOVING MINDSET

While simultaneously battling for many years in youth ministry and having big victories, I noticed there was something off. My mindset went from winning souls to just creating events. Instead of shaking the souls’ hands at the service, I was making sure the worship team was playing good songs. My mindset was to focus on making sure that our events were the best in the state instead of picking up the phone and calling a friend to see if they were willing to get coffee for a Bible study. God has firmly put in my heart that soul winning doesn’t need to wait till the event day, soulwinning can happen Monday at work, Tuesday at the gym, Wednesday at the store, and so forth!

Soul-winning is a mindset that says, “ I’m willing to reach someone that is lost today,” instead of  “I’m just gonna wait until the next event”. After breaking down everything the Lord put in my heart, I noticed there was a time I was that “one soul” at a Bible study, I was that “one soul” at the youth gathering, I was that “one soul” that someone helped guide through the faith. I now explain to the youth that we need to at least bring one soul to the Lord! We need to work and plan things with the full purpose of winning them for the Lord! This has become our youth motto: “Mission +1”! The vision has been sharpened and not changed.

Now we are more focused and committed to bringing ‘one more” to the feet of Christ, no matter what it takes! Creating a culture starts by you personally explaining to the youth the vision, not just sending it over a text in a group chat. Even if the whole youth doesn’t accept the vision, even if it’s just one or two youth members, get together and write some ideas down. You can start a movement in your community. It doesn’t take numbers, it takes willingness and a focus on the vision to save the lost using doctrine and love! Just as it is written in Galatians 6:9, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart!”

About the Author

Jonathan Ramirez currently serves as the Youth President of 1K Youth in the state of Washington through his lovely home church “Impacto de Dios”. He loves to play drums and has a passion for martial arts in the sport of Brazilian Jujitsu.