CURRENT AGE: 18
GRADE 8
NEW DIRECTIONS CHRISTIAN CHURCH
New Directions Christian Church
and 180 Degrees Youth Ministry
Memphis, Tenn.
New Direction Christian Church opened in 2001 “to empower all people to know God through life-changing experiences from the inside out,” according to its Web site. In particular, it has reached out to its youth members with a variety of experiences, including some that find expression in music, drama and dance.
While adults lead many of the activities at the 180 Degrees Youth Ministry, such as its junior high and high school ministries, many other activities are youth-led. For example, youth have special roles at many levels of the church, including the choir and Bible study. But most importantly, New Directions lets youth lead one Sunday service a month.
“I think that’s quite different because most churches don’t give young people an opportunity to showcase their gifts and talents once a month,” said Jasmine Walker, 18, who has been involved in the youth ministry for more than six years, most recently as a youth leader.
How would you describe the 180 Degrees Youth Ministry?
Youth tend to think that a Bible study at church consists of sitting down with a Bible and the preacher just having a sermon; you listen and go home. But at 180 it’s much different. The pastor recently sent some of his youth to Lexington, Ky., for a youth conference, and he also sent about 10 of us to Indianapolis for the Disciples of Christ Great Assembly. So he often opens us up to different environments and gives us different opportunities to learn more about Christ in different ways.
How would you describe your work at the church?
I’m the chaplain of the [youth] choir. My job is to run and to lead a Bible study before every rehearsal we have, which is every Monday and Wednesday. I was a part of our student executive team. I’m also a part of the spoken word ministry and am a youth leader.
What is the youth-run Sunday service like?
Maybe they want to sing one month and maybe dance the next month and maybe step the next month. We’re open enough to let them do all of those things because we believe that everyone doesn’t have just one gift. We give them the opportunity to minister in many different ways.
What do you consider your group’s biggest success?
I would say our biggest success hasn’t happened yet because we have a youth summit coming up in September, and I believe that that will be our biggest success at the 180 Youth Ministry.
What advice would you give to kids who want to get involved with religious activism?
I’d say just go ahead and go for it. I mean, there’s nothing to lose, but there is much, much to gain. Use your gifts, use your talent. Even if you aren’t quite sure what your gifts and talents are, you can always pray for guidance.
Copyright 2009 Y-Press