“I will pour water on thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit on your descendants and my blessing on your offspring. This one will say, ‘I am the Lord’s,’ and another will call on the name of Jacob, and another will write on his hand, ‘The Lord’s,’ and name himself by the name of Israel” (Isa. 44:3, 5).   For 34 years we have trusted God’s promise and witnessed His blessing, even into the next generation. Countless covenant young people not only came to personal commitment to Christ, but also grew up in the church, made friends in the presbytery, and some became pastors and church leaders. The following is a short testimony of the Great Lakes-Gulf young people’s ministry.

Since the Covenant of 1871, the Covenanter Young People’s Union (CYPU) has encouraged youth in their devotion to God and has provided opportunities for young adults to come together to “stir up one another in love and good works” (Heb. 10:24). In 1926, youth from all over North America came together at Winona Lake, Ind., for the first national youth conference. This conference developed into what is now known as the RP International Conference, which is being held this summer at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich. The vitality of local CYPU groups is revealed in a handbook written around 1950 by Dr. Howard Elliott to assist local CYPU meetings.

In 1974, Jerry O’Neill, then pastor in the Columbus, Ind., RPC, helped ruling elder Rich Johnston and a small group of youth to form the CYPU of the Great Lakes-Gulf Presbytery. Four young people were elected to a leadership team to plan youth events. The team grew under the close involvement of the elders of presbytery. To the already existing Covfamikoi Family Conference and Winter Conference were added the Fall Ministry Project, Gethsemane Challenge, the Sonrise Party, Echo Missions/Ministry Trips and Calvin on Wheels. 

In recent years, the team has grown to 10 students elected from throughout the presbytery (mostly from Indiana). They meet bimonthly to plan these various youth events and report annually to the presbytery. Students must be at least 14 years old to attend. Calvin on Wheels and Echo trips, led by John Hanson, require extensive road planning and road safety. 

As students graduate from high school, new young leaders are elected each year at the Covfamikoi Family Conference. Youth ownership of events is critical and builds the leaders of the church for the future generation. The leadership team meets in August for two days to orient its new leaders, elect officers, and plan the events for the coming year. We know that students come to these events with three things in mind:

1. to grow in their faith,
2. to grow in friendship (and to make new friends), and
3. to enjoy adventure challenges.

Our leadership is committed to these three goals.

The most difficult and important task is to determine the preaching topics for each event for the coming year. Preaching is central in all our youth events. Christ is preeminent and God’s Word prominent in all we do. Adventure experiences are also important, and they are carefully planned for and prayed for. We thank God that He has given us safety in climbing through caves, jumping out of trees, and shooting the rapids. We say that, “Adventure is the doorway to the hearts of youth.”

But the doorway is not the light, and adventure activities are not the message. Our message is the gospel, not fun or adventure. We thank God for the preachers who have faithfully brought God’s Word to openhearted young people to stir them to grow in their faith and knowledge of Him. We thank God that He is pouring water on thirsty lands…and His spirit on our descendants (Isa. 44:3).

Rich Johnston is pastor of Second (Indianapolis, Ind.) RPC