Fimiam Baptist Church

Youth Ministry

“51th parallel” •
Summer Camps •
Work with Youth •
Teenagers’ club “Rock” •

Work with Youth

Working with the youth of our church (worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry)

At the moment our church has 38 young (single) people aged 15 to 25 years old (church members). There are as many young people who started attending our church through evangelism and our worship and youth meetings, but they have not yet joined the church.

Some programs aimed at the youth of the church:

• Students in prayer (church youth are encouraged to be active in prayer and gather together to pray in schools, to pray for the awakening of youth, classmates, group mates).

• TYM – a talk of young ministers (youth membership meetings). We have them twice a year. The purpose of such meetings is to encourage believers to minister. We also hold small seminars on topics of service, relationship with God, dating, premarital purity and successful marriage.

• Bible study for girls “Girls after God’s Own Heart.” (Bible study for girls who have recently joined the church or are youth club visitors).

• Youth group home (We invite believers and unbelievers. Youth who come to youth club invite their group mates, friends, and neighbors. We sing, play guitar, drink tea with cookies, speak, read the Bible, share the blessings and pray for one another. These groups are held every Wednesday at 6:00 and 7:00 pm. We hold youth home groups at the apartments of youth).

• Training for youth ministry for daughter churches and people of our church who want to serve young people. (We do these trainings from time to time, according to the needs. During the training we discover the basic principles of youth ministry, its goals and foundation. We also teach how to prepare youth programs for different type of youth from different areas. The next study we plan to do is in September or October of 2009).

• Ministry (Physical assistance to people with disabilities. Youth ministry does not coordinate Disability Ministry because they have their own powerful team, but the youth of the church are actively involved in this ministry and help in transportation of people with disabilities when they come to church and home groups. Youth conduct Bible studies for them, help in conducting youth camps, and assist at “Crafty Hands.” Youth also physically help in carrying out other ministries and programs of our church).

• Visiting patients at home and in hospitals.

• ”Goverla” Drama Circle. Youth of the church and some visitors actively participate in dramatic art. They show performances, sketches and pantomimes in youth clubs, meetings for teenagers, “AWANA” ministry and teenager club "Rock." Youth and teenagers like their work very much. This team is actively involved in street evangelism meetings, so they have a lot to do.

• Counsel and one to one discipleship. Youth is a vital time to learn to take responsibility. It is time to make important decisions independently. Often there is no one close to help, offer advice, or make suggestions. For this reason, the pastors of Fimiam Church gladly meet regularly with youth and our church visitors.

Ministry to non-believers from our area and city (evangelism)

• Prevention of poor habits in schools. This is the direct responsibility of an evangelism team, but youth ministry also participates. Each week we visit schools in our area, providing preventive programs and films "The Truth about Drugs, Alcohol, Smoking, AIDS.” We talk on topics of current importance for youth: dating, sex, profession choice, peer pressure and what God thinks about it.

• Soccer. Every Thursday we play soccer with teams from the streets. Many non-Christian youth come. After soccer, we invite them to summer camp and youth meetings.

• Summer tent camp. Every year we have tent camps. You can read more about them in the “Summer camps” section.

• Street meetings. These meetings are held outside in our area. We have some equipment: roller skates, basketball goal, trampoline, badminton, baseball, and darts ... we plan to bring it all on the streets and play with young people.

• Evangelism crusades. Usually the whole church is involved and youth ministry joins the church and conducts a youth program. Youth are actively involved in the organization process.

Ministry to youth who began visiting our youth programs and worship services and join the church (worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry)

• Youth club “51st Parallel" takes place every Saturday at 6:00 pm. For more information about the club read Youth Club “51st Parallel”

• Guitar lessons. We offer guitar lessons every winter, when young people have more leisure time. We achieve two objectives: prepare musicians for home groups and reach youth for Christ.

• Musical evenings. Believers show their talents and unbelievers have a good time listening to the music and enjoying coffee. These evenings are held once every three months. The last musical night was a charitable one. With the money raised through ticket sales, we bought food for a family where the grandmother takes care for three orphans. All seats are usually occupied.

• Game night / cinema. Every month we watch an interesting Christian movie or go outside to play some interesting games.

• Fishing adventures. Fishing is a great activity to develop friendly relations. We invite guys who visit our club for fishing.

• Cards for parents of young people who visit our programs. Many parents know little about our church ministry and we send them welcome newsletters before Christmas and Easter.

• SMS-sending. Once a week we send young people a text message with biblical texts, encouragement or information.

• Roller-skating. Our brother, who is not only a cool skater but also plays hockey seriously, leads this event.

• Dinner for ten. We invite young people who believe in Christ for a festive dinner with a portion of the youth ministry team. We get to know each other and encourage them to dedicate their life fully to Christ: baptism, ministry, discipleship.

• Nature. In spring and summer, when attendance is decreasing because of final exams, we usually go outside to have a good time together. We take a guitar, wood, and games and have a great time together. These meetings are held as an alternative to the youth club.

• Celebrating the New Year. This program aims to spend Christmas night in a special way. Every year we prepare an interesting program around a key idea, make an evaluation of the previous year, have Bible time and worship, enjoy a delicious banquet, and have games and contests.