It's Done!

I did my presentation tonight, and it seemed to be well received. My classmates were attentive, and I could see many of them nodding in agreement. The surprising part was that out of the 15 people that raised their hand when I asked "How many of you are 18-29?", only three of them raised their hands when I asked them if their churches offered a Young Adult ministry. (I hope I reached some of them, by letting them know they have another option for spiritual growth). It absolutely amazes me that so many churches miss out on the opportunity to reach their young adults. They leave them to wander alone, and just assume that their spiritual journey will happen naturally. Most churches figure that once you're out of high school, you should automatically become a part of the Main Church.

The problem is, it's not that simple. Once you hit 18, your brain doesn't immediately shift to "Ok, I'm adult now. Time for me to join in the Main church activities, with people my parents age (or older)." It's absolutely scary once you turn 18. You're no longer a child, and most of the time you "age-out" of the high school group. (Not always, but it happens too often.) So you're left wondering "Now what? I no longer have a small group of people I can relate to, and I don't have much in common with the people my parents know from church." Often times, this is when young adults wander from the church. They are usually working, going to school, or both. So they become lured out into the world, and find it harder to resist temptation. They no longer have their small group to hold them accountable, and help encourage them along their walk with God. They often lose their way, and make choices they wouldn't have made otherwise.

More churches need to offer Young Adult ministries. It would be a blessing not only to the young adults, but to the church as well. If more young adults are given continued guidance past their high school years, they are more likely to become stronger Christians. If they are able to continue worshiping, praying, and fellowshipping with people their own age, they will feel more comfortable as they transition into their spiritual adulthood. Young Adult ministry allows the members to ask questions they may be afraid to ask in church. They are able to relate to many of the other members who might be going through similar experiences. They may encounter members who have already been through what they're going through, that may be able to offer assurance and guidance through the difficult times. They have a continued sense of belonging, rather than feeling like an outsider.

That's why The Journey is here. We offer this sanctuary to any young adults in the Inland Empire who might feel lost, or are unsure of what their next step should be. We're here to offer a community of people who can sympathize and empathize with their struggles. Our wish is not that they leave their home church, but that we are able to offer something additional, whatever they may feel is missing from their lives. We want to "Be the Difference" for them, and help them become the difference in the lives of others. We hope to enrich their spiritual lives, and help them strengthen their relationship with God. The Journey is a supplement, not a replacement.

Anyone who has questions, feel free to visit www.towardtruth.com, and learn more about The Journey. We have a podcast available for anyone who wishes to hear some of the messages before they decide to join us on our journey of truth. God Bless!