A Brief History of

Adventist Youth Ministry

Paul Tompkins
TED Youth Director
Messages To Youth
* “Preachers, or layman advanced in
years, can not have one half the
influence upon the young that the youth,
devoted to God, can have on their
associates.”

* “With such an army of workers, as our

youth, properly trained, might furnish,
how soon the message of a crucified,
risen, and soon coming saviour might be
carried to the whole world.”
Ellen White – Messages To Young People p25,196
Biblical Base for Youth
Ministry

 “All your children shall be

called of the Lord and great
shall be the peace of your
children.” (Isaiah 54:13)
Biblical Base for Youth
Ministry(2)
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is
one. You shall love the Lord your
God with all your heart, with all your
soul, and with all your might. And
these words which I command you
today shall be in your heart ; you
shall teach them diligently to your
children and shall talk of them when
you sit in your house, when you walk
by the way, when you lie down, and
when you rise up.” (Deuteronomy 6)
Principles for Youth Ministry
 1. Instruct our children in the
Commandments of God, God’s
requirements and His word. (Deut
6:6,7)

 2. Remind them of God’s leading in

the past. (Deut 6:20-23)

 3. Challenge them to live by God’s

word in the future. (Deut 6:24)
Overview of Youth Ministry
 For the first 40 years it was taken
for granted that youth were
members of the church. (1840 –
1880)

 In 1879 Luther Warren (17) and Harry

Fenner (14) began the first youth
society in Luther’s home to; 1) Plan
Missionary work 2) Raise money for
literature 3) Promote the cause of
temperance.
Overview (cont)

 Youth groups named - Sunshine

Bands.

 1901 – Under direction of Sabbath

School department.

 1907 – The Seventh-day Adventist

Young People’s Department of
Missionary Volunteers. (M.E. Kern)
Names
 1907 – Seventh-day Adventist Young
People’s Department of Missionary
Volunteers
MV Department (MV meetings)

 1972 – Youth Department of Missionary

Volunteers

 1979 – Adventist Youth (AY) Department

 2005 – Youth Ministries Department

(Adventurer Club Pathfinder Club, and
Senior Youth Society)
Youth Ministries (6-30 Years)

 Adventurer Club (6-9 Years)

 Pathfinder Club (10-15 Years)

 Senior Youth (16-30 Years)

 Adventist Youth Volunteers

Mission Statement
 The primary focus of Youth Ministry is the
salvation of youth through Jesus Christ
 Our task is to:
 1) Lead youth to discover their individual
worth and to develop their spiritual gift and
abilities
 2) Equip and empower youth for a life of
service within God’s church and
community.
 3) Ensure the integration of youth into all
aspects of church life – full participants in
the mission of the church.
Questions?

 1. Divide into small groups of 4-6

people and discuss the reasons why
Youth Ministry should be an
essential part of the overall ministry
of the local church?

 2. Brainstorm 25 of the best reasons

why Youth Ministry is essential for
church growth?
Building a Balanced
Programme
 Fellowship – Relationships

 Nurture – Personal and Spiritual

Growth

 Worship – Public Church/Small

Group

 Mission – Intentional outreach

(Acts 2:42-47)
 Four Dynamics of a Christian
Community
 FELLOWSHIP NURTURE

WORSHIP MISSION
Building a Balanced
Programme
Fellship Nurture Worship Mission
Effective Youth Ministry for the
21st Century
 What is the most important function
of Youth Ministry?
A) Introducing Young people to Jesus
B) Providing Healthy Activities
C) Involving Young People in service
D) Good Theological Training
E) Worship
F) Having Large numbers.

None of the above – Long-term

discipleship.
Conceptual
Conceptual Model
Model
Youth
Youth and
and Family
Family Ministry
Ministry