THE MINISTRY TO/WITH, YOUTH, YOUNG ADULTS

ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF JAMAICA AND THE CAYMAN ISLANDS

MISSION STATEMENT:  We believe that all Youth and Young Adults within the diocese, having been admitted to the family of God’s Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church via the sacrament of Baptism, are integral to its growth and development.

We further assert that because ‘Youth’ is a stage that is accompanied by change, uncertainty and dynamism, the diocese of Jamaica through its Youth department and related groups and organizations, will at all times seek to affirm the image of God in all Youth/Young Adults regardless of social class, status and/ethnicity.

 The above ideals will be promoted at all levels within the diocesan structure so that from the Synod to the Local Congregations, Youth and Young Adults will be welcomed and embraced in a spirit of love and mutual respect. 

OBJECTIVES OF YOUTH MINISTRY:

1.      To provide opportunities for fellowship and to give creative expression to faith in Jesus Christ.

2.      To foster and promote the actualization of God given potentials in the service of the church.

3.      To encourage and promote through prayer and study a greater awareness of Kingdom values in living exemplary lives as demonstrated by Jesus Christ.

4.      To foster and encourage growth in love and unity within the body of Christ.

5.      To develop and encourage integration of the cultural, social and spiritual dimensions within the body of Christ.

6.      To provide a forum for discussion on issues inherent in the social, moral, psychological and spiritual development of youth and young adults.

To achieve the above named objectives the youth department and related agencies (ie The congregation and home) will seek to emphasize a holistic integrative approach in order to remove the dualism that often exists between the young persons, church and social life.  Youngsters will be encouraged to bring their skills to bear on the life of the church and to engage in wholesome social activity that is informed by their faith.

THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATION:

Based on Jesus’ command to “let the Children come and not be hindered or forbidden” (Mark 10:13-16) and Paul’s encouragement to the young Timothy to “Set the believers an example…” (1 Timothy 4: 12), the Church has a responsibility to nurture and facilitate the holistic development of its young members.  Inherent in both commands is a charge to provide an environment where children, youth and young adults can express themselves in ways unique to them.  They should be challenged to develop their spirituality and to experience all that will enable them to come to a mature faith and commitment.

IMPLEMENTATION:

The Youth Ministry Division works as a part of the Education and Youth Department within the Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. The charge of the Youth Ministry Division is to formulate as well as maintain currently successful youth ministry programmes that achieve our goal that is:

To prepare our youth through fellowship, teaching, and discipleship for worship, ministry, and evangelism so that they may live abundant lives in Christ.

The Youth Ministry Division works with the Education and Youth Department Directors and staff along with Deanery Youth Coordinators (1 per Deanery), Youth Advisors (2) and Chaplains at various levels to fulfil this goal. In addition to these valuable persons, this Division is unable to achieve its goals without the active support of the wider family of the Church, both lay and ordained members in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.

Within this Division the fellowship group that remains a strong staple is the Anglican Youth Fellowship (AYF). There are Youth Fellowships active throughout the Diocese. The Anglican Youth Fellowship seeks to meet the needs of persons within the age group 12 – 25 years of age.

Beyond 25 years of age there is the Young Adult Fellowship which although widely recognised as an essential part of our Church family has not had the widespread support of persons at this age and stage. This is a void that is felt by all youth within this age groups and will be an area of focus for this year.

The Youth Ministry Division also employs the tools of camps, retreats, training sessions at the various levels, days of fellowship and the tried and true Annual Youth Rally to facilitate the spiritual nurture and meet the needs of the Youth within our church.

Please view the Calendar of Events for a look at programs planned for this year.

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