The Youth Ministries Committee of Synod (YMCS) was commissioned about eight years ago to focus on youth ministry in the denomination, a responsibility that had been previously under the auspices of the Education & Publication Board. The committee consists of a delegate from each presbytery who holds some responsibility for coordinating the youth activities of that presbytery. Its structure also includes two at-large members—an RP minister who acts as chairman and liaison to Synod, and Matt Filbert, coordinator of RP Missions.

The committee meets once or twice each year with the purpose of encouraging the presbytery delegates in their work and planning, and coordinating several functions for the youth of the denomination.

One of those youth functions is the International Youth Leadership Training Conference. At this conference, a call is issued to the dozens of youth who attend, urging them to consider what they can do to prepare themselves for a lifetime of service, helping to build this particular branch of the Lord’s kingdom. The conference takes place every four years, two years offset from the RP In- ternational Family Conference.

The YMCS also promotes the Theological Foundations for Youth program. During this three-week summer program, about 30 youth study theology and church history under the teaching of seminary professors at the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh, Pa. They spend the second week with a pastor of an RP church, experiencing his work and serving the congregation.

The last function of committee planning is a series of presbytery-wide seminars designed to equip congregational youth workers to better lead and serve their youth. Seminars have been held in New York, Kansas, and Pennsylvania.

During each committee meeting, the delegates share a report of what God is doing in their presbyteries. They often take home ideas of things to try that have worked for other presbyteries, as well as gain a better understanding of youth and local youth programs and activities throughout the denomination. The committee members then spend time evaluating past events, planning upcoming functions, and delegating the work to be done. Time is given to self- examination and to determining what has been accomplished and what other responsibilities could or should be added to the committee’s agenda. Finally, each meeting includes a time in which committee members pray for each other, the committee’s work and the impact of that work, and the youth of the RPCNA.

It has been a constant source of joy for the committee to see the youth of our denomination exhibiting great understanding of, and desire for, the things of God and to see them growing up to be godly men and women. We see parents and congregations working together to further equip the youth for a life of service, and are glad that they see value in sending their youth to the events planned by the committee. The evaluation forms filled out by the youth and youth group leaders at the end of each event are fi lled with glowing accounts of how much growth and encouragement has occurred during these experiences.

The nationally- and internationally-attended youth conferences have a unique potential in two ways. First, those who attend see the Lord’s work in others of the same age, catching a glimpse of the church that they will be a part of in their adult life. Second, the youth build long-distance friendships that we trust will continue into adulthood as they serve God together in His church. Not only will this strengthen the individuals as iron sharpens iron, it will strengthen the church as these youth see the need for staying in our own denomination and being a part of the same church in which they were raised.

The Youth Ministries Committee faces several challenges. One challenge is that some presbyteries cover immense territory. That causes a real diffi culty in bringing together youth for presbytery- wide activities. Another challenge is the frequent turnover in delegates to the committee due to changes in job or life situations. Only one presbytery has the original delegate from the committee’s formation 8 years ago. The committee has had at least one member “in training” for much of the time that it has been in existence. At this point, three delegates are readying potential replacements in advance, hoping that this will aid the stability of the presbyterial and denominational programs. The committee has a newly appointed chairman, and the Synod liaison position is vacant.

Please pray for theYMCS. Ask that God would equip the committee with a vision for the work that can be done. Pray for those who are being trained and prepared to become a part of the committee. Ask God for a new liaison to Synod to be raised up who would be able to fi ll the current void. Pray that future events would be blessed by God, and that the work done in planning and executing them would be done well. Pray that the youth of our denomination would grow in grace and would be continually strengthened and equipped for their roles in the church.

For more information, please contact a member of the YMCS.

Will McChesney and his wife, Sarah, represent the Presbytery of the Alleghenies on the Youth Ministries Committee of Synod. They are members of College Hill (Beaver Falls, Pa.) RPC.