To introduce a conference or workshop for pastors and youth leaders entitled, "Called To Youth Ministry." It has been used in Kenyan youth ministry and is easily adaptable to other countries and situations.

(Download Called to Youth Ministry overview as a PDF)

This presentation can introduce a workshop after which small groups would discuss the three questions at the end. Or, all of this might be read and discussed in small groups:
The writer of Psalm 71:5 declares, "You have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth."
In Psalm 71:17, he testifies, "Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds."
Searching the NIV version of the Bible, one will find 53 verses alluding to "youth," 69 to "boys" and 70 to "girls." It is clear from Holy Scripture that God most often calls His servants in their youth. And not only does the Lord call boys and girls; He trains them and uses them as youth. The stories of Joseph, Joshua, Samuel, David, Esther, Daniel, Mark, John, Timothy, and many others bear this out.
Surveys by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

 and many others reveal that, apart from early childhood decisions in a Christian family, most conversions take place in youth. Age-wise, there are really three churches, as there are three ages of human life. Famous psychologist, Erik Erikson, wrote of the Eight Ages of Man. A broader and simpler analysis reveals three prominent ages-childhood, youth (the Age of Transition), and adulthood. Childhood is the age of dependence and learning; adulthood is the time of responsibility and teaching. The transition from childhood to adulthood is called youth or adolescence. The unity of the Church is an ideal for which the Lord prayed. None of us want, but we are forced to accept, realities which separate Christians of Roman Catholic and Lutheran, Pentecostal, and Baptist persuasions. Likewise, there may be a necessity for Maasai, Swahili, and English churches or congregations. Even so, though the church must bring all ages together for family celebration, children have special needs different from adults-and need special kinds of instruction, worship, and activity.
Anyone who works seriously with young people knows that they do not want to be treated as children, nor are they always interested in or challenged by what appeals to adults. The adult Church must take precedence in church planting and growth. But young children are not to be neglected; they need a Church of their own (nursery and Sunday School). Even so, there is a stage of life between dependent childhood and mature adulthood which demands special consideration. Sadly, pastors and adults are often too busy or fearful to plunge into the wild, questioning youth scene.
Africa is a youthful continent; most of its population is young. A typical age demographic of an African country follows:

45% 0-12 years of age (child)
30% 13-27 years old (youth)
25% over 27 years of age (adult)

Still, some churches pour their energies into 25% of their population, which in some congregations with very few men, may be as little as 18-20%.

Church and evangelism priorities that miss youth are not only foolish in long-term consideration, but they also miss the immediate dynamic of young energies, questions, and ideals. Youth are not only the future of the church; they are a great potential of the present!
Very few Bible schools, theological colleges, or graduate schools of divinity have courses in youth ministry. Yet, if most of the population is young; if the populations of cities are doubling during the next few years; if an increasing number of urban populations will be young, educated and unemployed; if radical extremes and anti-social behaviors fill the void of youthful possibilities; and if the church is the hope of any society, then we are remiss indeed to bypass the challenge of the Gospel in reaching our young people! His Excellency, President Daniel T. arap Moi, dedicated his well-known book of political philosophy "To the children and youth of Kenya: Our future and our hope." He then went on to write: "...the character and quality of the youth are the embodiment of our national vision for the future...the youth must receive the best preparation for the life ahead; and youth must be educated to accept its responsibility for national and domestic life....It is character-building that finally reshapes the quality of life of a people. In this way, the youth may be immunized against developing degenerate tendencies such as drunkenness, drug-addiction, laziness, thieving, etc. After all...youth (in their youth) are a part of existing society, with its norms and accepted principles, but (in future) they will form the leadership" (p. 123).
For the prosperity of a nation and society, then, as well as for the welfare of the church of Christ, out of a love for young people themselves, and in obedience to our Lord's command, we ought-we must-give ourselves to ministry with youth.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

• How did you struggle as a young person, and who was it that helped you most toward Christian commitment and growth?
• In what ways are you most concerned about today's youth?
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• What may God be calling you to do about this great harvest-field?