The following is notes taken by Abraham Piper at Kempton Turner’s session yesterday at the Children Desiring God conference. Great principles to practice when developing any program in a Christian context. Word of Life has a similar philosphy of ministry, starting with biblical principles, building biblical people, and lastly coming up with a biblical program on top on the foundation of the principles and people. All of WOL’s ministry resources and youth programs are developed with this philosophy.

1. Be a truth-drenched example.

1 Timothy 4:16

Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

The example of your life is the hammer that drives your message home. If your life doesn’t exemplify what you expect, your message will not be believable.

2. Have a truth-drenched marriage and family life.

1 Timothy 3:4-5

He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?

We shouldn’t see if someone is fit for the ministry by how they do in seemingly less important ministries. Rather, we should see what kind of husband and father he is. If he leads his family well, then maybe he’s fit for the ministry.

Paul assumes that a church leader first leads his family. A truth-drenched youth ministry will get the overflow of the youth minister’s leadership of his wife and kids.

3. Cultivate a truth-drenched staff.

Acts 13:2-3

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Gather as a staff mainly to go vertical. Meet with God and see what strategy comes from this worship.

4. Preach and teach truth-drenched messages and lessons.

Hebrews 13:7

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

The main thing your youth should think about when they remember you is how you spoke God’s word to them.

Don’t replace teaching truth with games, media, skits, etc.

5. Develop and implement a truth-drenched vision and philosophy of youth ministry.

Proverbs 29:18

Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.

Picture youth ministry as a mountain. Develop a plan that puts the cross at the top with all the other good (but less important) things below. Then the truth of the gospel will flow down that mountain over everything you do, drenching your ministry.

See original post at the desiringGod blog.

New Tribes Mission
(NTM | www.ntm.org)

Northern Canada Evangelical Mission (NCEM | www.ncem.ca),

Association of Baptists for World Missions (ABWE | www.abwe.org),

HCJB World Radio (www.hcjb.org), and also one of our own:

Word of Life Local Church Ministries (WOL | www.wol.ca).

In the first session we heard from several missionaries sharing testimonies and facts about the need in World Missions. 10% of Christian Workers are Reaching 90% of the world, while 90% of Christians are reaching 10% of the world. That means that the vast majority of the world is hungry for people to come and teach them the word. Millions have no choice…they can NOT here the gospel of Christ if they wanted to. They have no churches, bibles, or christian leaders in their country. It is moving to hear the passion of these missionaries for spreading the Word to these people!

I was convicted by God’s command to be a missionary last year during my year studying at the Bible Institute. I began where I could, God opened a door for me to serve at Word of Life at the Bible Institute. I see God leading me to go into New Tribes Missionary training in Durham after I finish serving here at Word of Life. This summer I will be flying down to Brazil with my sister and a friend to help out in a tribal church plant for a few weeks. Please be praying I will be able to raise the support for this trip, and will be able to do all I do to the glory of Christ.