Church Ministries Unite for Young People

Church leaders from across Oklahoma came together at Voice of Hope Seventh-day Adventist Church for the first Church Ministries Collaboration. Guided by the theme “We Are Called” and the rallying cry, “One District. One Ministry. One Purpose,” leaders from the Southwest Region Conference shared a vision for strengthening ministry for young people across the conference.

One key focus of the event was the role of Sabbath School. Leaders emphasized that it should be the foundation for church growth and cooperation. Rather than working separately, departments were encouraged to partner in ways that help families grow in God's Word and give their communities meaningful opportunities to connect with Christ.

Young people were at the center of the day's activities. Youth and young adults co-led Sabbath School and Children's Church, gaining leadership experience while mentoring younger children. During divine worship, Youth and Young Adult Ministries Director Wesley McNorton challenged young people to boldly answer God's call. At the same time, the multimedia ministries team trained the local church's youth media team by giving them responsibility for event coverage and technical production.

Afternoon breakout sessions focused on mentoring young leaders and preparing them for future service. Sabbath School/Personal Ministries Director Tyrone Boyd encouraged leaders to involve young people in teaching, outreach, visitation and church leadership. McNorton met with youth leaders, while Lawanna McCoy, Ed.D., Education and Children’s Ministries director, encouraged children's ministry leaders to identify and mentor future leaders through hands-on service. Together, the sessions emphasized that ministry includes preparing others to lead.

Executive Secretary Jason North concluded the afternoon with a panel discussion on building healthy congregations then presented membership trends that highlighted the importance of investing in children and youth. President Carlton P. Byrd, D.Min., closed with an update on the conference and an inspiring vespers thought.

Leaders were challenged to strengthen local ministries through intentional mentoring, unified planning and active discipleship. The collaborative model will continue throughout the Southwest Region Conference, with each region launching a youth-led digital storytelling project that highlights how God is working in local churches and communities.

The message of the collaboration was clear: If the church is to remain strong for years to come, young people cannot wait until tomorrow to serve. They must be trained, empowered and called into active ministry today.

By Lawanna G. Williams-McCoy, Ed.D., Education and Children's Ministries Director