ON THE JOURNEY TOGETHER 

2009 has been an incredible year for our Student Ministries Department!  We began by focusing on connecting leaders across the State. Through these connections with our leaders state-wide, we have begun restructuring and retooling the footprint of Illinois Student Ministries. 

The first major change was internal, the combining of our youth and children departments to provide continuity of support to our student pastors.  Pastors for children ages 0-18 will now have a concentrated department equipped to seamlessly support your efforts for students in your local church.  Our pastors will be able to gain tools from our department in several areas:  speaker referrals, event equipment rental, a shared curriculum library, and coming soon – an interactive website with easy access to all these options and more. 

The second major goal is to connect churches and leaders with each other. What better place to be than in knowing we are all a part of something much greater than ourselves?   This illuminating principle of building relationships has given shape to our main focus in 2009: that we would develop a community of pastors and leaders who are “on the journey together.” I’m passionate about coming alongside churches and student ministries to help bring health and vibrant ministry.  

The development of regional specialists willing to come alongside and help our ministry teams will further enhance this exciting ministry environment.  See the list of pastors across the State that are willing to help develop thriving ministry to youth and kids in this issue of i-LINK.  Whether it is training volunteer leaders or helping provide or locate resources, we want to do whatever we can to assist churches.  All you have to do is give our office a call or an email and we will connect you with one of our ministry teams!

What will ministry look like if we can generate the kind of synergy that takes place when people come together for a common cause? How many more lives can be captured? Though He certainly doesn't need our help, it has been God's plan from the very beginning to use us through relationship. In the words of Humphrey Bogart in the classic movie Casablanca, "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship." I can't wait to see how rich our journey becomes as we pursue Him together!