♦M 24, 2022

Montgomery Baptists will prioritize the gospel above all by doing the following:
Meet human need while planting gospel seed;
Evangelize the River Region while planting and replanting churches;
Discover, develop, and deploy disciples of Christ to be missionaries across the street and around the world

Train Up A Leader In the Way He Should Go

In 2022, leaders from eight churches took part in an immersive discipleship
experience for church youth and their friends
known as Amplify (formerly DNow). An
event that begins on Friday and ends on
Sunday, students are housed in homes with
families for focused Bible study and rest. On
Saturday night, they come together to an area
church to worship, praise, and dig deeper into
God’s Word, the Bread of Life. Fourteen
churches around the River Region were
involved, and over 350 students participated.
The theme was No filter, a social media term
that relates to a false representation of oneself.
Amplify leaders taught students that they could remove their filters and
have an honest heart and attitude before Christ, to be true to themselves.
Many of these students made decisions to recommit themselves to Christ in
word and deed. A student from Strong Tower at Washington Park made the
bold and courageous decision to accept Christ as her
Lord and Savior.
Tanner Ethridge has served as youth pastor at
Thorington Road Baptist Church for two years. He
and his wife, Kimberly, are from Alabama and have
four children. Tanner was one of the leaders that
organized this year’s Amplify weekend. Looking
back, Tanner saw God using this event to challenge
the students to grow deeper in their faith, being
touched by the Holy Spirit with a fresh faith. In
addition, he sees events like Amplify strengthening
participating churches and relationships within
student ministries.
Tanner offers words of encouragement and wisdom to churches struggling
to connect with youth, whether the church is
aging or only has one youth member. He states
that all churches can develop and enrich their
youth ministry by “being genuine and transparent;
students want to go deeper into truths and are not
seeking flashy programs. They are looking for
people who care for them and want to invest in
them relationally.” He added the reminder that
youthfulness is a gift. This period in their lives
does not last long. Church leaders should give
Great Commission University
students a chance to enjoy this age, not by compromising biblical truth, but
by allowing them to have time to play and connect. Even during times of
Meet and Feast
play, they will see the gospel in how we live. He offers the warning not to
make them grow up too fast and lose their youth. Tanner added that
churches can connect with more youth beyond the
April 7
walls by going to the schools, connecting with the 11:00 - 1:00 p.m. or
teachers and administration, serving, and loving
them well. He suggests going to ball games and 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
offering refreshing drinks and snacks for the
players, connecting with families, and cheering on 20 Interstate Park Dr.
the players. He encourages churches not to expect Meet Bob Burton as he takes an in
the kids to come to the church. The church must go -depth look at the book of Acts to
into their world and show that they care about the discover how God worked in and
youth where they are. through His people in the first
Once students are in church and growing, Tanner encourages leaders to see century and how He still works
the student’s membership value. He stated that churches should allow them through His people in the 21st
to serve, even on committees, where age appropriate. He says that they have century.
great ideas and tend to serve well. The youth are the future of the church;
they have a place and voice. RSVP by March 31 at
If you would like to learn more about Amplify weekend or further discuss o#ce@mgmbaptists.org or
youth ministry opportunities with Tanner, he can be contacted by email at
tanner@trbaptist.org or by phone at 334-396-9376, option 9. 334.271.6227

Montgomery Baptist Association • PO Box 3319 • 20 Interstate Park Dr. • Montgomery, Alabama 36109 • 334-271-6227 • www.mgmbaptists.org
This publication is made possible by your churches’ contributions to Associational Missions.