History
The Youth Ministry Team (YMT) came into existence to help support local Church of God congregations in their ministry with youth. This team gives much-needed representation for youth ministry across the United States and Canada. The leader of Youth and Family Ministries at Church of God Ministries in Anderson, Indiana, heads up the team.
Purpose
To discern vision and provide direction for Church of God youth ministries in North America.
Vision
To be a catalyst in raising up a new generation of Christ-centered leaders.
Key verse: "And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit." —Ephesians 2:22
A Christ-centered leader is a servant leader who is devoted to Christ in all areas of his or her life and is intentional in sharing Christ's love with others.
Values
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We Value Youth: Youth are chosen by God to make an extreme difference in the world and are essential to the health and growth of the church.
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We Value Youth Workers: Youth workers are crucial in passing the faith on to the next generation.
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We Value Spiritual Growth: Spiritual growth is an intentional, lifelong process.
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We Value Prayer: Prayer is essential to unleashing God's power; it is the vehicle that God ordained to change the world.
Objectives
REACH—DISCIPLE—EMPOWER
REACH
"He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation'" (Mark 16:15).
To equip youth and youth workers to reach students with the good news of Jesus Christ by...
DISCIPLE
"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12).
To equip youth and youth workers to disciple students to become lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ by...
EMPOWER
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8).
To equip youth and youth workers to empower students to expand the Kingdom locally and globally by...
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Networking them
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Providing prayer partner support for youth leaders
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Offering encouragement, support, and training for youth workers through the
YNT
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Developing a leadership culture for students and adults
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Lifting up the value of youth ministry in printed materials and on the field
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Providing regular encouragement and resources through the
YMI Update
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Take a look at our list of Dreams and BHAGs (Big Hairy Audacious Goals).
Personnel
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 Chip has been in student ministry for over a decade, serving churches in Colorado, California, and Florida. He is a graduate of Mid-America Bible College and is currently the pastor of student ministries at Bayside Church in Safety Harbor, Florida.
Chip and his wife Lori married in 1994; they have two children, Leah and Caleb.
Chip is a captivating speaker with a contagious love for Jesus, a fervent heart for teenagers, and a passion to mobilize leaders.
Click here to e-mail Chip.
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 After graduating from Anderson University, Todd ministered to students and their families at Crossings Community Church in Oklahoma City for ten years. He then served as the national director of student ministries for the Church Multiplication Association (CMA). Currently, Todd is the suburban director of Youth for Christ in Oklahoma City.
Todd and his wife Laura have two sons, Ross and Reid.
Todd has given his life to the vision of being a great father and husband and developing ministries in which students learn about their purpose in life and become influencers.
Click here to e-mail Todd.
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 As a volunteer youth staff member, Howard felt a call to full-time youth ministry in the late eighties. Currently, he serves as the associate state pastor with responsibilities in youth and Christian education, camping facilities, and Kingdom Builders for Kentucky Church of God Ministries. He has served in youth ministry for over a decade. He received his undergraduate degree from Geneva College and his master's degree from Asbury Theological Seminary.
Howard and his wife Shirley have been married since 1983 and have three daughters, Alexandra, Rachel, and Kelsey.
Howard's passion is teaching, serving, and encouraging others to reach the potential God sees in them.
Click here to e-mail Howard.
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 Ryan received his bachelor's degree from Warner Pacific College in 1995 and is presently pursuing his Masters in Theology from the Anderson University School of Theology. He entered youth ministry in 1993 and has served at churches in Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. He is presently on staff at Highland Park Community Church in Casper, Wyoming.
Ryan and Tiffeny Shockey were married in 1993 and have two children, Kyrsten (1999) and Kade (2001).
Ryan has a passion for developing student leaders and communicating God's love to a postmodern generation. He has spoken at conventions, camp meetings, training events, rallies, and school assemblies.
Click here to e-mail Ryan.
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 Andy holds a bachelor's degree from Mid-America Bible College, a master's degree from Oklahoma State University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Arlington. After serving as a youth pastor for almost a decade, Andy came on staff as the leader of Youth and Family Ministries at Church of God Ministries in Anderson, Indiana. He co-authored The Ultimate Adventure, a four-level discipleship series that helps equip teenagers to use their God-given gifts for the Kingdom.
Andy and his wife Candace were married in 2005 and just welcomed a new baby daughter, Mackenzie.
Andy is passionate about teenagers and seeing God use them to impact their world. He speaks to youth in various settings across the nation and is focused on helping to raise up a new generation of Christ-centered leaders.
Click here to e-mail Andy. For speaking inquires, contact Dana Wilson at
ddwilson@247365wireless.net or click here.
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