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Beyond Graduation
Preparing Students for the Road Ahead
Chris Renzelman
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View to the Future
Mark H. Senter III
Building 21st Century Networks
Networks Conference-Keynote Address
February 26, 2000


Change a Generation with Campus Ministry
Mark Moder
Network Coordinator for Spokane, WA and Coeur d'Alene, ID

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Over eight years ago, the Youth Ministry of Emmanuel Baptist Church was beginning to see an explosion within its church walls. God had brought a new Youth Pastor, Dave Miller, to be used by Him for the sake of teen outreach within the Skagit Valley. But only a couple years into his ministry here, we were blessed with the "problem" of growth within the youth group with facilities that only allowed for a small number of students to attend and participate. Knowing that God desired to use us for His glory, we began to pray for how He might lead us with regards to finding a new place that would literally allow for some "breathing room".

God continually reminds us how He is the God of "our wildest dreams", doesn't He? Rumors began to circulate that the place for growing room might be closer than we thought: the Mount Vernon Fire Department Hall, which just so happen to share the same parking lot as our church. When the idea had originally circulated, it was only said in whispers for fear that it might only turn into dashed hopes. But through the financial commitments of our congregation and the Fire Department's willingness to give us an incredible price on the building, God allowed us to purchase the place. Through the dreams, work, sweat, and tireless efforts of many older people in our congregation, we were able to move in around six years ago. Who would believe that we would have ever had the chance to share in such an incredible facility for outreach within our community and local cities?

It is wild when you consider the radical changes that happened in a matter of months to turn an old Fire Hall into a "Youth Center". What was a open courtyard in the center of the building became a 50's diner! What had been a fire truck garage became an open area for times of worship, as well as serving as a place for showing videos and movies via a video projector (Have you ever tried showing a video to a Youth Group of 80 kids? You'll understand then when I say that it was such a blessing to finally have the space to pull this off!) And what had been sleeping facilities for the firemen became a small group setting, complete with donated couches and chairs. Ultimately, God had blessed us with the simple gift of "space"! It has allowed for the desired room for two carpet-ball tables (the highlight of being early to Youth Group meetings), a smaller video room (for small groups), a foosball table, and a building (which came with a "half basketball court" outside the back door entrance) that allows us to minister to over 200 students. Along with the necessary changes to the building, the additional touches ~ a kitchen setting (for snacks following events & meetings), an espresso bar (for coffee houses and staff meetings J), and a sound booth with the capability of full speaker surround sound music, and Christian music videos playing as students enter for each event ~ make this an excellent place for new student introduction (those whom wouldn't normally grace the walls of a church make the effort to at least come with their friends to see it once) and general teen involvement and fun. Even the huge parking lot allows us room to run and play various games with the young people.

Through the God-given gift of the "Youth Center", we have had the opportunity to put on such activities as "Fifth Quarters" following local high school football games, "Coffee Houses" on Friday evenings (with special guests including Timothy James Meaney, Common Heroes, and other local artists), "Open Houses" following our Graduation Sundays and occasional "Youth-Focused" Services, as well as many "Movie Nights" and overnighters. Even our "Young Married's" ministry has been able to utilize the Youth Center for their Sunday evening meetings and discussions over coffee in such a wonderful 50's Diner setting. It constantly makes me chuckle when I come to work each Tuesday morning to start a new week, crossing through the checkered "café setting" to get to my office. It literally makes our Youth Group meetings livelier, allowing young people to minister and worship with each other outside of the formal "white walled, far end of the church" typical youth ministry setting! This place is a place of dreams, giving us the platform for incredible times of ministry and memory making activities. Praise be to God that He chose to bless our church with a place such as the Youth Center; a place to passionately minister to young people, bringing His saving Gospel to students who need Him so desperately.

Dave McAllister
Junior High Youth Director
Emmanuel Baptist Church