Ebenezer Youth on the Move!

As the Youth department continues to grow, our youth have been quite busy with the number of ventures and activities taken on lately.  Between workshops, Ministry of Youth, the annual Halloween party, Advent and Christmas season, Junior Church, youth choir, EPIC youth group, individual development, and much more, our youth are on a roll

Youth Training

In preparation for the start of the new church year 2015, the Bahamas Conference of the Methodist Church (BCMC) made it official to focus on the theme, “The Year of the Youth”. In our efforts to support this theme, and emphasize the value of youth as a church, we’ve recently invested more into training and preparing our youth to lead in their designed capacity, by enrolling some in Leadership workshops and seminars, hosted by various organizations.  Youth have also been more active in worship service on a regular basis.  Additionally, some youth attended a number of special meetings and events hosted by the BCMC in order to be more involved with ventures taken on in the Methodist community.  Already, much of the information has been applied in our Youth Department.
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Halloween Party 2015

At the end of October, our Youth Department hosted its annual Halloween Party held in the Sir Durward Knowles Auditorium, where about 70 people attended the event.  The costume parade and competition that most usually look forward too, was full of awesome and creative costumes flaunted by people of all ages.  Just to make things a little different this time, we added a live skit, mini fair games, and an Art and Craft table to the platform.  The play was entitled, “A Sceamy Night in Paradise”, where in the end, Jesus won the battle against the Monsters of the Island.  The carnival / fair games included Skee-Ball, Mini Golf, Bullseye, Magic Shoot (Basketball), Pick-O-Fish, and more.  Such games were handmade by some of our youth using boxes, wood, recycled tables, and other items.  The Art & Craft Table was the place to create wonderful craft pieces.  The evening was a fun safe family oriented atmosphere, and was successful. Thank you to those who supported and helped to make things happen.
The team responsible for putting games together (ideas and building):  Giavanna Knowles (Youth Worker), Romell Rolle, Carmen Vargas, Nolin Flowers, and Alex Johnson.  Cast for the skit: Phillease Cooper, Romell Rolle, Nolin Flowers, Zachary Sweeting, Asari Mackey, Keneisha McPhee, Keilon Collie, Breanna Williams, Brion Ferguson. Play writers:  Asari Mackey & Giavanna Knowles. Media team for the night: Clevelend Walker J.r, Omando Bastian, Carmen Vargas (also managed craft table).  Game & Prize vendors: Epic Youth

Junior Church

The Junior Church (JC) program is an activity managed by the Youth Department, designed mainly for children ages 4 - 12. The overall goal of JC is to help children and youth feel equipped enough to effectively understand, and appreciate the elements of a regular worship service, especially when it comes to following the sermon, being active in worship service, and leaving feeling ready to share God’s word.  JC is a mini church service, with a full detailed lesson. It takes place 11am during regular service time, on assigned Sundays only.  For the mini service, children take turns leading it, as this is great practice for leading other worship services. Then for the message, each Lesson comes from a book where stories are mapped out from the beginning to the end of the bible.  To support thorough and versatile learning, we break down stories and apply it in writing, discussions, art, games, challenges, skits, virtual life, and other forms. In the end, most of the children are able to remember and understand the bible stories along with its moral, while learning more about God’s character.
Along with senior leaders, some of our older youth are listed on the JC roster as either a helper or teacher. This offers our youth great opportunities to train, teach others the word of God, be positively influential, and develop healthy relationships with children and senior leaders.  At this time, there are at least 25 children that attend JC, where the group is split ages 4 -6, 7 -9, and 10 – 12. We look forward to continuing JC as the children are also always excited to have it.

EPIC Youth Group

​The EPIC Youth Group is running good and smooth as usual.  Lately, we’ve used a great deal of time preparing for events, practicing skits, and covering topics focused on faith, choices, leadership, and sensitivity to the spirit of God.  Moving forward, the group is planning for a lock-in, preparing for a big stage play, and will focus more on empathy, caring for others, self-esteem, and recognizing the God given gifts in self and others.

Ministry of Youth - National Youth Month

During all of the youth training programs and various meetings, a great deal of networking took place.  From this, our youth department was led to activities offered by the Ministry of Youth for October 2015, with consideration that this month is usually assigned, “National Youth Month” by the Ministry.  Out of the number of activities listed, our youth participated in a newly launched game called, “YouMazing Color Rush”, and also participated in the annual National Youth March.
For the YouMazing Color Rush, 20 youth represented our church where a few friends from other organization also made up this number.  In order to compete in the game, participants were to be ages 13 – 29, with 4 people assigned to each group, giving us a total of 5 groups.  The experience was truly a “YouMazing” time as hundreds of Youth searched downtown Nassau for answers to the various Questions and challenges listed in the instructions.  Each step was required to be posted on Instagram for the public and judges to see, so perhaps you too may get a sneak peek of the maze.  Although this wonderful event started in the pouring rain when everyone met at The Bahamas National Art Gallery, it ended at Clifford Park with a nice dance party. It was truly an awesome and fun experience.
For the National Youth March, hundreds of proud youth organizations including our EPIC Youth filled the streets with participants of all ages.  Additionally it was such a joy when the Sea Scouts held at our church grounds, invited the EPIC Youth group to march along as one group.  This event ended with most groups feeling proud of completing the march, and excited to connect with familiar and new faces​

Advent & Christmas 2015

For the Advent and Christmas season, the youth and children were very busy between worship services and the annual Christmas Fair. The season started with focus on the worship elements for advent, where the Youth and children were very active in singing, reading, conducting and more.
Then, moving forward to a time when children pay more attention to the joy of giving, it was time for the annual Toy Service.  The combination of children, youth, Sunday School teachers, and parents was at its maximum for participation.  With the 2 beautiful Christmas trees placed to the front of the church, the service started with children, mainly from Sunday school, bringing gifts forward and placing them under the trees to be distributed later to children all over the Island.  The service included special music, where the Sunday school performed a song, and the children’s choir led the rest of the service with a number of choir pieces. From the children’s choir, a solo was done by Brooke Dorsette, then a ballet dance piece done by, Asari Mackey and Emily Malone, (choreographed by Eurhythmic Dance Studio). The service was touching, and it was a joy to see so many children lead the service.
As for the annual Christmas Fair, the church did a wonderful job in making the event a success. In terms of the Youth Department, we offered the mini fair games, Art and Craft table (as requested) and cotton candy.  These 3 areas were directly managed and organized by the Youth Department.  Additionally, the youth corner included Hoopla and face painting traditionally managed and organized by other members of the congregation who so willing help our department all year round.  As the youth rotated, or stayed assigned to managing the 4 games, a prize table, the making of cotton candy, and the art and craft table, each person followed a schedule inclusive of breaks and times to help out at other booths as per request.  The hard work paid off, and the children and youth look forward to another fun Christmas Fair.
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Youth Ensemble

In terms of choir work, The Ebenezer Youth Ensemble has grown, and the group has been learning basic theory and vocal tips.  So far, each person has improved singing skills and built more confidence.  Lately, the choir has been rather busy between learning more about music, and leading praise and worship more often. So as the group continues to do well, thank you to the church for being supportive and encouraging the choir to continue the good work. 
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Youth Bible Study

​Recently, the Youth Bible Study group has taken a slightly different approach than before. Instead of the Youth Worker being the main host and speaker for the study, each youth takes a turn leading the group per week.  The basic material is provided, while the assigned youth must improvise, and find creative ways to engage discussions, and encourage effective teaching and participation. This method of bible study has encouraged better study practices, introduced various learning styles, improved overall skills in public speaking and conduct, and increased the level of patience and understanding between peers.

INDIVIDUAL PROGRESS

Last but not least, congratulations to our whole Youth Department.  Based on our general reports, some of our youth recently left the island for, college, jobs, or a new experience.  Some who are in high school have entered academic and creative arts competitions where they’ve won specific categories, or were recognized for efforts.  BGCSE, BJC’s, and final exams went well as a few received scholarships and were accepted into college.  Some are very active in sports and community service and have also been recognized in such areas.  Overall, all have faced challenges in different areas, but continue to work toward progress and seek help where needed.  Thank you church for the love and prayers extended to each youth.