EVUBA Youth Association Report – October 31, 2006

The Youth Association Committee has met a number of times, both formally and informally to discuss our role in equipping youth and leaders for evangelism and discipleship.  Due to schedules being stretched by Tidal Impact and various short-term mission tours, the spring and summer has proved to be a difficult time to gather information and accomplish our goals.  In addition, the change in youth leadership in many of our churches results in a never-ending attempt to have current contact information. 

Our short-term goals are to identify areas of strength and weakness, resources and needs, and what our greatest concerns should be so that we can focus our efforts where they are most needed in regional youth ministry.  In the near future, we hope to formulate and distribute demographic surveys to EVUBA churches to provide that information.

Rather than trying to reinvent the wheel, our goal is to encourage youth and leaders towards personal spiritual and/or leadership development through existing programs, offered through our Convention, Association, and/or individual churches in our area. 

We also feel the need for more connectivity and encouragement among our local leaders.  We are attempting to start a monthly prayer meeting for youth leaders/pastors, but finding a good date/time proves to be a challenge.  As a committee, we would also like to implement semi-annual Youth Association Meetings, similar to those held by the EVUBA, in order to create a public forum for discussing the goals and purposes of the group, encourage greater awareness of the group, and recruit future leaders for the Association.  

Regarding Rally in the Valley, Jon Dixon is now the chair of that sub-committee, and rallies will continue on the third Sunday night of each month, with the last rally this calendar year being held on November 19th at Kingsway Assembly, Kentville.  A portion of the RITV offering ($50/month) is being designated to help support a Youth Pastor in Poland.  The average attendance this year has been approximately 250-275.  

On a final note, Jon Levy has recently resigned as treasurer of the Youth Association.  The committee has decided to leave his post vacant until the term of our officers expires in the New Year.

 We look forward to what God has in store for our young people and their leaders in the future.

Blessings, 
Rev. Pamela Estey
Chair, EVUBA Youth Association