Jesus continues to be the model of Central's youth ministry, as the Youth Committee, parents and leaders provide many opportunities for our young people to grow and serve the Lord. A strong foundation of support was laid in September at our Concert of Prayer, as parents and youth advisors prayed for our children and ministry needs. At the Krislund retreat, United We Stand, our high schoolers offered many ideas for a growing impact of love and service in 1997. In December, both groups visited nursing homes to minister to the residents by singing Christmas carols and greeting them in the name of Christ. New service and leadership opportunities are planned for the coming year, including SouperBowl Sunday, the 30-hour Famine, retreats, and church service events.
Preparation is already underway for a summer missions project to Jamaica to work with the deaf.
There, we will help build a village for the hearing impaired and reach them for Christ. We look forward to more students assuming the mantle of leadership in the youth programs and in the call to win their friends to Christ.