The Coalition

2007-10-16T11:58:00.000-04:00

www.JeremyDelRio.com is the new home of “Away with Words: In Pursuit of Authenticity.” Blog friends, please update your blogrolls.

New Coalition Website and Blog

2006-12-07T12:48:00.001-05:00

Visit the NEW and IMPROVED Coalition website and blog at www.CoalitionNYC.com.

New Coalition Website and Blog

2006-12-07T12:48:00.000-05:00

Visit the NEW and IMPROVED Coalition website and blog at www.CoalitionNYC.com.

Take Advantage of ReLOAD Nov 11, 2006

2006-11-03T11:42:00.000-05:00

RELOAD – A One Day Training Experience has grown out of Urban Youth
Workers Institute (UYWI), a ministry that desires to develop the next
generation of urban multi-ethnic leaders through one day training
events, citywide learning groups, coaching, mentoring, and an annual
national conference that gathers over 1,800 urban youth workers from
around the country. SIGN UP TODAY!

download the flyier here http://uywi.org/downloads/RELOADpdfs/tourpdfs/newyork.pdf

2006-10-06T10:47:00.000-04:00

COALITION MEETING
TUESDAY OCTOBER 10TH, 2006
AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY
10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
SEE YOU THERE!

Adopt-A-School

2006-09-12T11:50:00.000-04:00

The Idea + The Challenge + Related

THE IDEA

This section of the website proposes a city-wide experiment and invites your active thoughts and contributions.

What would happen if…

The 7,100 churches in New York City prayed every week for the city’s 1,200 public schools?
Volunteers from those churches served the schools as hall monitors, classroom assistants, tutors, event organizers, PTA delegates, or coaches?
Students from those churches were empowered to be salt and light on the campuses?
God-fearing staff members from those churches, whether teachers, aids, principals, or agency administrators, recognized their profession as a calling?

Dare we expect that test scores might improve and the $12 billion currently spent on the school system be managed better?

The idea is doable. There are 7,100 evangelical, charismatic, and Pentecostal churches in the five boroughs. In contrast, New York’s 1.1 million public school students are scattered across 1,200 public schools. That’s nearly a 7:1 ratio of churches to schools. Including the 1,000 private and/or parochial schools, there are still more than three churches for every school.

The challenge to discovering whether the experiment works is to monitor and coordinate it effectively. Any thoughts how?

THE CHALLENGE
(Reprinted from Network Magazine)

Summer 2006

Why Churches Should Adopt Public Schools NOW

by Jeremy Del Rio
Campus Ministry

Summer 2006 pg 6
Get PDF Version

"… In love, He predestined us to be adopted…" – Ephesians 1:4-5 (NIV)

Sometimes a good idea takes a while to generate traction. But then a combination of timing, people, and Providence inspire enough hearts and minds to action that it transforms society, in what Malcolm Gladwell calls a "Tipping Point."

Consider, for example, the idea that churches should love youth in their communities by adopting public schools. The Campus Alliance has been saying this for years, even creating a website to help promote the idea and track its progress (www.EverySchool.com). But a review of the Every School database suggests that the cry has fallen on many ears that are unable, or unwilling, to hear. Many schools still wait to be adopted.

Recently, things began to change in New York City. In January, 293 pastors and ministry leaders who gathered at the 15th annual Concerts of Prayer Pastors Prayer Summit prayed intentionally for the first time in memory – with one voice and for more than a few minutes – for the city’s millions of young people. Rather than generic, "Bless them, Lord" prayers, they focused instead on specific concerns:

At-risk youth within particular churches, including the incorrigible ones, the nondescript ones who blends into the background, and the weak ones whom bullies target.
Personal and community struggles, such as sexuality, HIV/AIDS, family disintegration, and gangs.
Systemic injustices such as a public education system where 60% of elementary school students don’t read at grade level, yet spends $12 billion educating them, and generational poverty that traps nearly 30% of NYC children below the poverty line, with 72% of Latino and 61% of African American children.
The commissioning of ministers, both church-based and marketplace workers such as teachers, paraprofessionals, business managers, health professionals, and students themselves, to love youth without judgment.

This intentionality extended into a break-out session where 75-100 leaders conducted an "intergenerational conversation" concerning how to engage the region’s youth and youth culture with the gospel more effectively.

Why the zealous response? Consider that Jesus described children, who represent 25% of New York’s overall population, as the most ripe for a spiritual "harvest." Who’s more "like a child" – Christ’s prerequisite for entering the kingdom of heaven – than a child?

To make the conversation more manageable – engaging all of the city’s two million kids 18 and under (by themselves, they would be the fifth largest city in America) is a daunting proposition – the discussion focused on the 1.1 million students in New York’s public schools.

Why public schools? To borrow another of Jesus’ metaphors, effective "fishing" requires going where fish gather, namely (cheesy pun alert) within schools. Factor into the mix the reality that public school students come disproportionately from our nation’s most vulnerable communities, and compassion compels Christ-followers to be transformational agents.

How then should believers and churches engage within the context of nonreligious public school systems? By viewing those systems not as enemies, but as allies for equipping kids to live the lives to which God has called them.

Beyond that, churches should adopt particular schools within their communities. Imagine if every congregation committed to pray regularly for at least one local elementary, middle, or high school. Now imagine if individual congregants became answers to those prayers by volunteering within the schools as hallway monitors, classroom assistants, tutors, event organizers, PTA delegates, or coaches. Even better, imagine if the students themselves were empowered to be salt and light on the campuses; and if God-fearing staff members – whether teachers, aids, principals, or agency administrators – recognized their profession as a calling.

As a community outreach strategy, the best part about adopting schools is that it is doable.

New York City, which boasts the nation’s largest public school system, spreads its students among 1,200 public schools. Who would adopt these schools? Sociologist Tony Carnes of the International Research Institute on Values Changes has identified 7,100 active churches within the five boroughs. That’s more than a 6:1 ratio of churches to schools. Add in the 1,000 private and/or parochial schools, and there are still more than three churches for every school.

The math is similar on a nationwide scale. According to The Barna Group, there are more than 300,000 Protestant and 20,000 Catholic congregations throughout the U.S. The nation’s 57.2 million nursery through high school students are enrolled in 94,000 public schools and 28,400 private schools.

What might happen if the body of Christ within those 300,000+ churches actually functioned as such, and lived out the incarnation of Christ within the walls of our 94,000 public schools? Kids might actually be loved unconditionally, families served selflessly, and schools transformed in ways we all long to see.

Some would advocate that we wage a quixotic battle to reinstate what I consider to be a meaningless nondenominational thirty-second prayer in schools. Why not, instead, resolve collectively to actually pray, repent of neglecting to labor where the fields are white unto harvest, and commit to loving our schools through adoption?

It’s time we reached a "tipping point" to reach our schools!

Related

+ Student Prayer Testimony (Flushing Seekers Club)
+ Released Time (Alpha USA)
+ “An Intergenerational Stirring: Why Christian Churches Should Adopt Public Schools”
+ Fund for Public Schools (for businesses interested in supporting individual schools)
+ Campus Alliance’s EverySchool.com campaign
+ Taking Adopt-A-School to a higher level
+ Dean Jonathan
+ PS 34, Take 2

Fighting for a Generation

2006-07-14T08:34:00.000-04:00

Rockfest NY - July 22

2006-05-15T15:17:00.000-04:00

POSTPONED! NEW DATE: T/B/A

Coming soon

2006-04-30T21:58:00.000-04:00

Just one month remains to buy half priced tickets. Click image for details.

Rapfest

2006-04-28T15:12:00.000-04:00

Who holds Rupert Murdoch accountable? (More on Myspace)

2006-03-27T11:45:00.000-05:00

Conservatives love Fox News. And Rupert Murdoch loves conservatives, especially "social values" conservatives, because their loyal viewership makes him lots of money.

Rupert Murdoch bought Myspace last year. The children of his Fox News viewers (not to mention children with other political persuasions) use Myspace (66 million registered users at last count). Rupert Murdoch sells "Naughty" adspace on Myspace that exploits those children.

Rupert Murdoch is just one of hundreds of business execs who manipulate teens for profit. See for example, Merchants of Cool for a brilliant explanation of how the process works. In the parlance of Murdoch's marketers (and Viacom and WB and others), teenage boys are "mooks" and girls are "midriffs."

Still thinking through the whole accountability thing, but there's gotta be something more than just the shrill fingerpointing of the so-called culture warriors. What do you think?

Update: I'm suspicious this is not the answer. HT: Rudy.

Condolences

2006-03-25T18:31:00.000-05:00

On Thursday, March 23, Coalition member Tracy Ellis-Ward's husband Michael passed and
went to be with the Lord. Information below regarding arrangements. Thank you
for your support and your prayers.

------------------------------------

From Tracy:

The information for my husband, Michael Ward is listed below. Thank you
for all your continued prayers and support.

Sunday, March 26, 2:00-4:00 pm
Visitation/Wake - Dwyer Funeral Home
90 N. Broadway, Tarrytown NY 10591; 914-631-0621

Monday, March 27, 3:00 pm
Funeral - First Baptist Church
56 S. Broadway, Tarrytown NY 10591; 914-631-6372

A reception immediately following the funeral will be held at
The Reformed Church of the Tarrytowns
42 N. Broadway, Tarrytown NY 10591

In lieu of flowers, donations made payable to
New York City FCA can be mailed to the address noted below.
Any further questions may be directed
to the Ward Family's church - 914-631-6372.

Please mail donations to:
NYC FCA
c/o First Baptist Church
56 S. Broadway
Tarrytown NY 10591
ATTN: Becky McGovern

Counterculture DJ

2006-03-14T11:25:00.000-05:00

Coalition member DJ Kenny Mitchell represents the movement in last Thursday's New York Times, in an article called "Xtreme Christianity in goth and punk":

"What's countercultural is the elements of their faith, why they're not living the lifestyle of MTV, trying to attain the superstar status with cars and chicks, but working on community and healing."

Kenny was also featured recently in the groundbreaking book Emerging Churches, by Fuller Seminary professors Ryan Bolger and Eddie Gibbs. For more on his ministry, visit his website.

2006-03-09T21:37:00.000-05:00

Adopt-A-School

2006-02-21T14:32:00.000-05:00

This blog post proposes a city-wide experiment.

What would happen if...

The 7,100 churches in New York City prayed every week for the city's 1,200 public schools?
Volunteers from those churches served the schools as hall monitors, classroom assistants, tutors, event organizers, PTA delegates, or coaches?
Students from those churches were empowered to be salt and light on the campuses?
God-fearing staff members from those churches, whether teachers, aids, principals, or agency administrators, recognized their profession as a calling?

Dare we expect that test scores might improve and the $12 billion currently spent on the school system be managed better?

The idea is doable. There are 7,100 evangelical, charismatic, and Pentecostal churches in the five boroughs. In contrast, New York's 1.1 million public school students are disbursed across 1,200 public schools. That’s nearly a 7:1 ratio of churches to schools. Including the 1,000 private and/or parochial schools, there are still more than three churches for every school.

The challenge to discovering whether the experiment works is to monitor and coordinate it effectively. Any thoughts how?

"An Intergenerational Stirring: Why Christian Churches Should Adopt Public Schools"
Fund for Public Schools (for businesses interested in supporting individual schools)
Campus Alliance's EverySchool.com campaign

Imagine if Christian churches "adopted" public schools

2006-02-21T12:04:00.000-05:00

"Why public schools? To borrow another of Jesus’ metaphors, effective “fishing” requires going where fish gather, namely (cheesy pun alert) within schools. Factor in the reality that public school students come disproportionately from our city’s most vulnerable communities and compassion compels Christ followers to be transformational agents in the mix."

From, "An Intergenerational Stirring: Why Christian Churches Should Adopt Public Schools" (March 2006, Tri-State Voice)

About New York's youth population

2006-02-17T13:03:00.000-05:00

By themselves, New York City's 2 million people 18 and under would constitute the fifth largest city in America
Its 1.1 million public school students would be the 10th largest city
Its 563,000 children who live below the poverty line would be the 25th largest city
Its 470,000 15-19 year olds would be the 35th largest city

We have work to do! (More stats here.)

Compare: Top 50 Largest Cities in the U.S.

More on Myspace, MTV, and internet predators

2006-02-17T09:41:00.000-05:00

Here and here.

New Events: 13th Floor from South Africa, Michael W. Smith movie

2006-02-16T12:09:00.000-05:00

The Latino Pastoral Action Center

with

DJ Who? Ministries

Presents

THE HOLY HOOD

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 24, 2006

6:30-9:00

LPAC URBAN MINISTRY CENTER
14 WEST 170 STREET
BRONX, NY

FEATURING

A DANCE PERFORMANCE BY
13th Floor
straight out of South Africa!!!

RICHIE RIGHTEOUS

THE FOREIGNERS

FREE ADMISSION!!!

CALL FOR EVENT INFO.

STEVEN RIVERA 718-681-2361 EXT 104

DJ WHO? 718-292-1402

THIS IS AN OUTREACH EVENT, PLEASE BRING A FRIEND!!! DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS ONE!!!!!

____________________________________

Sony Pictures presents The Second Chance, a new movie fromwriter/director Steve Taylor starring Michael W. Smith and jeff obafemicarr. It opens this Friday, February 17, 2006 in 35 cities nationwide.In the movie, a white church in a wealthy suburb discovers that its"outreach" to an inner-city black congregation is creating resentmentand distrust. This is the story of how a rebellious son and astreet-smart pastor attempt to bridge the gap between their churches andtheir cultures. "The Second Chance", directed by Steve Taylor andstarring Michael W. Smith & Jeff Obafemi Carr. The Second Chancereleases in select theaters February 17, 2006. To view the trailer andget more information on the film go to:http://www.thesecondchancemovie.com/resources/emails/email4.htmlThanks!

____________________________________________

We invite you to our Road To Cuba Missions Trip Fundraiser
Indoor Volleyball tournament
Two Days Only!
MARCH 2006
Time 9:00AM-5:00PM
LPAC Urban Ministry Complex, 14W 170th St., Bronx, NY
10 PLAYERS PER TEAM /CALL FOR TEAM RATE!
UNISEX TEAMS ALLOWED! MORE INFO. TO FOLLOW! ONLY 8 TEAMS CAN BE REGISTERED!!! DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS FELLOWSHIP / FUNDRAISE

More on why youth workers need to understand Myspace

2006-02-15T20:34:00.000-05:00

Returning to a recent subject of this blog, and one which exerts increasing influence over youth:

"... [MySpace] now ranks 13th among all sites, according to Nielsen/NetRatings. ComScore Media Metrix places it fourth by total page views, two notches above Google. ...

"But success also draws a spotlight on MySpace's darker side.

"In Middletown, Conn., police suspect as many as seven teenage girls recently were fondled or had consensual sex with men they met on MySpace who turned out to be older than they claimed.

"In schools across the country, students have been suspended for threatening classmates on MySpace and, in a case outside Pittsburgh attracting the attention of the American Civil Liberties Union, for creating a phony profile under the principal's name and photo.

"Parry Aftab, who runs the Internet safety group WiredSafety, said most MySpace teens behave, but a good number are creating online alter egos with which they brag about nonexistent drinking and sexual conquests in a bid to appear cool.

"And as parents discover their kids' profiles, Aftab said, they start to worry and tell other parents, who in turn spread the alarm. Parents, in some cases, try to ban their children from MySpace or the Internet completely." Article.

For thoughts on an appropriate adult response, go here and here.

Photos

2006-02-14T17:52:00.000-05:00

Jeremy & Dimas present new Coalition leaders as members pray for them.

Now's your chance

2006-02-13T17:59:00.000-05:00

Coalition member ministries whose websites are not listed in the side bar, please email your website information. Thanks.

Congratulations, new co-chairs

2006-02-13T17:24:00.000-05:00

If a three-person Godhead is good enough for Creation, it's a welcome model for the leadership of the Coalition! Congratulations to the newly elected co-chairs, a team of three who bring complimentary gifts to the role:

Kevin Young of Student Venture;
Walter Sotelo of Citivision; and
Marcus Smalls of World Vision.

They were chosen on February 10 by a vote of the outgoing and incoming leadership teams and publicly introduced at this morning's meeting.

Jeremy Camp concert goers invest in youth ministry in the City

2006-02-07T23:00:00.000-05:00

Rock the Sound invited The Coalition of Urban Youth Workers to receive an offering at Saturday's Jeremy Camp concert. Even though it was a ticketed event and was not marketed as a benefit, attendees still contributed $1,600+ towards the ongoing efforts by the Coalition to mobilize and facilitate collaborative youth ministry in the City. Thanks Joel and Don and the Rock the Sound team for your generosity!

Not Another Prayer Meeting

2006-02-07T22:45:00.000-05:00

“Jesus did not promise to be at every prayer meeting, but only at those “where two or three are gathered together in My name,” (Matthew 18:20)”. - Oswald Chambers

There they were, gathered together in His name - 300 Pastors, Youth Ministers and Workers, under the cover of Psalm 27. Concerts of Prayer of Greater New York extended a special invitation to youth leaders through the Coalition of Urban Youth Workers to attend the Pastor’s Prayer Summit January 2006. Coalition Chairs led the Youth prayer session as they lifted up the myriad of issues young people face. Throughout the session a slide presentation of pictures ran continually, reminding them of innocence and joy of youth. City elders prayed and commissioned youth workers. The evening concluded with Coalition members serving communion to the City Elders.

“It is not so true that “Prayer changes things” as that prayer changes me. Then I change things; consequently we must not ask God to do what He has created us to do…” Oswald Chambers

As so the City elders and emerging leaders prayerfully moved into an intergenerational dialogue to collectively consider how to be a “living expression of God’s presence” in the lives of New York’s youth. The 100 or so people who filled a little room in the Tuscarora Inn, did not kid themselves. Diverse backgrounds did not eliminate the desire to find common ground. They were not recreating the wheel. Today questions are kin to the issues Senior Pastors, many former youth ministers, grappled with in yester year. Nor were they going to solve the world’s problems in one discussion. If you had been there, listening carefully, you might have heard the sound of eternal fruit growing as a result of the body of Christ simply coming together. You might have heard the sound of possibilities through these kinds of statements:

Cheryl Wilson, Youth Minister of Central Baptist Church, NY, NY

“I would like to work with the Coalition to organize regular prayer meetings for our youth. We all have different ways that we do ministry, there has to be a common denominator that we all have – its prayer. Everything flows from prayer.”

Ron Mitchell, Coordinator, Hope Africa Project, New York

“After hearing today’s discussion, in the sixties we would have said “Right on.” Then and now, there need to be those who can bring diverse perspectives together and create opportunities for partnership to address the issues we are facing. We need a balance between evangelism, discipleship and social concern going beyond ourselves and into the lives of others here and abroad. We have to go beyond “Churchanity” and into a lifestyle that truly reflects Christianity. As the church in the richest country in the world, we have a call to stewardship to the least of these - to those who are living on a dollar a day. These are the issues we are passing on to our youth.”

Phil Maxwell, Senior Pastor, Gateway Baptist Church, Bridgewater, NJ

“80% of the people giving their lives to the Lord are 18 and younger. The church is spending 80% of its finances on people 18 and older. Resources need to be redirected to reach the next generation. We need to create an inviting environment for youth to present the message of the Gospel. The Gospel brings change. The message is always sacred but the methods are not.”

Zola Allen, Youth Pastor, New Life Church, Elmhurst, NY

“God has always used young people to start radical movements. We need to equip young people and take them seriously. If we don’t, the world will. Prayer is the best thing we can do. Churches also need to resource each other. Instead of worrying about sheep stealing we need to be kingdom minded.”

John Grable, Youth Worker First Church of God

To understand someone you have to listen. When you listen to a child you can find out what their pains are. You don’t need formulas or gimmicks. You don’t need to change the church.

Denise Hykes, Youth Outreach Worker, Washington Heights, Vision Youth Worker

“It was a good start but conversations need to continue with Youth Workers and their Senior Pastors/Elders. Sometimes it's easier for people to write off youth workers as rebellious instead of really hearing what they are trying to say. Pats on the back are nice on Sunday morning, but what we would really like is to be listened to during the week.”

####

And so the youth minister queried his Pastor, “I have your congregation in the next ten years. What do would you like me to do with them?”

We’d like to think they begin with prayer.

Please visit the www.TheCoalitionNYC.blogspot.com

Written by Sonya

Historic youth focus at annual Pastors Prayer Summit

2006-01-27T09:31:00.000-05:00

"Both the Monday night prayer time and the Tuesday afternoon conversation were in themselves major answers to years of prayer. Praying in concert with 300 pastors for these issues and then engaging them in dialogue about the very same issues represent significant steps for our city and region. We have a long way to go, but the hearts of the fathers are returning back to the children and the children to the fathers!"

Read the full report.

300 pastors and ministry leaders prayed for our kids

2006-01-26T14:58:00.000-05:00

I'll file a more detailed report later, but for now, read the Christian Post's account here.

Cries in the Wilderness: On what it means to be "Emerging"

2006-01-26T14:53:00.000-05:00

"A generation of prophets cries out. They are, in appearance, humble; in sustenance, meager; in approach, gruff. Do you hear them?
"... The kingdom they proclaim defies evangelical niceties. They trade tailored suits for weather-worn camel skins, upscale cuisine for locusts and honey, gated communities for wilderness cave dwellings, and luxury rides for calloused and blistered feet. Their cause is justice for the vulnerable, love for the lonely, healing for the weak, mercy for the powerful, grace for the lowly, holiness without judgment, and righteousness in both pulpit and pew. The keys to this Kingdom unlock the gates of Hell itself."

Full Article.

REGISTER TODAY! -- Youth Workers Needed at New York Prayer Summit

2006-01-15T17:51:00.000-05:00

The Coalition of Urban Youth Workers joins Concerts of Prayer Greater New York in inviting emerging leaders and youth workers to participate in the 15th annual Pastors Prayer Summit:

January 23-25, 2006
Tuscarora Conference Center
Mt. Bethel, PA (1 hr. from NYC)

Gather with 300 pastors to "Seek His Face" for the children and youth of Greater New York.

Connect the hearts of fathers to the children and children to the fathers during:

Monday night prayer for at-risk youth and the people who serve them;
Tuesday afternoon "Inter-Generational Conversation" about strategically engaging youth culture for Christ;
Tuesday night commissioning prayer; and
Informal dialogue that occurs at meals and free-time.

The regular cost for attendance is $110-$175. Through the Coalition, the first 100 youth workers to register online qualify for a $60 scholarship before January 17.

Limited transportation available. Email The Coalition for details.

Behind the Curve, Again

2005-12-29T17:50:00.000-05:00

Five years ago, a global evangelical ministry asked a group of youth workers how to become relevant to young people. We suggested leveraging the power of the internet to create a "virtual youth center" where kids could share interests and ideas, find their voice, and connect. Several months later they commissioned a creative brief unpacking the idea. We called it "MyLife.com." The brief was scheduled to go before the ministry's Board in September 2001, but 9/11 derailed it. Subsequent management and program changes kept the idea shelved.

Fast forward five years, and the cover of Business Week heralds "The MySpace Generation" (12/12/05):

"Preeminent among these virtual hangouts is MySpace.com, whose membership has nearly quadrupled since January alone, to 40 million members. Youngsters log on so obsessively that MySpace ranked No. 15 on the entire U.S. Internet in terms of page hits in October, according to Nielsen//NetRatings. Millions also hang out at other up-and-coming networks such as Facebook.com, which connects college students, and Xanga.com, an agglomeration of shared blogs. A second tier of some 300 smaller sites, such as Buzz-Oven, Classface.com, and Photobucket.com, operate under -- and often inside or next to -- the larger ones.

"Although networks are still in their infancy, experts think they're already creating new forms of social behavior that blur the distinctions between online and real-world interactions. In fact, today's young generation largely ignores the difference. Most adults see the Web as a supplement to their daily lives. They tap into information, buy books or send flowers, exchange apartments, or link up with others who share passions for dogs, say, or opera. But for the most part, their social lives remain rooted in the traditional phone call and face-to-face interaction.

"The MySpace generation, by contrast, lives comfortably in both worlds at once. Increasingly, America's middle- and upper-class youth use social networks as virtual community centers, a place to go and sit for a while (sometimes hours). While older folks come and go for a task, Adams and her social circle are just as likely to socialize online as off. This is partly a function of how much more comfortable young people are on the Web: Fully 87% of 12- to 17-year-olds use the Internet, vs. two-thirds of adults, according to the Pew Internet & American Life Project.

"Teens also use many forms of media simultaneously. Fifteen- to eighteen-year-olds average nearly 6 1/2 hours a day watching TV, playing video games, and surfing the Net, according to a recent Kaiser Family Foundation survey. A quarter of that time, they're multitasking. The biggest increase: computer use for activities such as social networking, which has soared nearly threefold since 2000, to 1 hour and 22 minutes a day on average." Article.

Is it petty and childish to say, "ARGH"?

How can we engage kids in this space that 40 MILLION (and growing) finding so fascinating?

Coalition Co-Chairs pray with Dr. Graham minutes before his final sermon

2005-12-20T23:09:00.000-05:00

Back in June, I wrote (at my blog) about praying with Dr. Billy Graham 25 minutes before he preached his last Crusade sermon. I received the pictures today, just in time for Christmas!

Crusade chairman Dr. A. R. Bernard introducing
Dimas Salaberrios and Jeremy Del Rio to Dr. Graham

Kneeling to pray with Dr. Graham

(L-R) Jeremy, Dimas, Rev. Richard Del Rio, Rev. Bob Johannsen, and Dr. Bernard

This was one of those God moments that I'll remember for the rest of my life.

For more on the Greater New York Billy Graham Crusade, check out my crusade diary.

Congratulations, Incoming Coalition Leaders

2005-12-18T22:18:00.000-05:00

The December Coalition meeting saw the election of a new leadership council for January 2006-June 2007.

Congratulations to those elected (listed in alphabetical order, with affiliations):

Ralph Castillo (Youth Explosion)
Jeremy Del Rio (Generation Xcel)
Tracy Ellis-Ward (Fellowship of Christian Athletes)
Liana Robinson (Beauty of the Heart Charm School)
Esteban Rivera (Latino Pastoral Action Center)
Marcus Smalls (World Vision New York)
Walter Sotelo (Citivision)
Julio Vasquez (DJ Who Ministries)
Kevin Young (Student Venture)

In their own words

2005-12-15T13:05:00.000-05:00

"Why should I care so much for everyone else when no one gives a s!*# about me?"
"y do guys have to say the wrong things, @ the wrong time, @ the wrong places...just to say that they like u but make u feel like s!*#?"
"When you are sad, ....I will get you drunk and help you plot revenge against the sorry b@$!@&! who made you sad."
"Why is it that life sucks? Why couldn't I have just been happy with it when I had it?"
"every freaking thing is going wrong. because of my mother who doesn't freaking listen. ... i can't stand her!"
"Ima turn you straight......and blow your back out....lol"

Welcome to the world of teenagers, in their own words. These are just a few of the online comments generated by teens I know. They're good kids -- great kids, actually -- but they're finding their way and trying to make sense of emotional conflicts, relationship dramas, family strife, sexuality, purpose. All the important stuff that too many adults never figure out either.

Don't condescend to them or resent them or give up on them.

Seek to understand them. Hear them. Forgive them. Restore them. Guide them. Love them.

Easier said than done? What do you think?

Compromise

2005-11-14T08:46:00.000-05:00

When do we compromise to reach youth?

In the battle with you!

2005-10-20T11:23:00.000-04:00

Jeremy, thanks for hosting this site. Let's pray together that God uses it to foster community among the many youth workers who call NYC their home. The last couple days have been incredible, talking with kids about their lives, and relating God in ways they can sink their hearts into. There is amazing openness out there, we just need creatve, real and relational ways of engaging youth for Christ. I'm thankful for you, your ministry through GenerationXcel, and for how God is using you as a spokesman, advocate for young people nation wide. Blessings on your beautiful family. Kevin

This is a test ...

2005-10-11T18:23:00.000-04:00

... of the Coalition Community Comment System. If you attended today's meeting, please post a comment confirming your attendance.

Compassion Committee - Postponed

2005-08-16T11:27:00.000-04:00

Due to a death in his family this week, Jeremy Del Rio will be unable to host the Coalition's compassion committee meeting that was scheduled for this Thursday at Abounding Grace Ministries. Please stay tuned for rescheduling information.

Compassion Committee

2005-08-05T17:54:00.000-04:00

Attention all youth workers

Who: Coalition Compassion Committee

What: Free Lunch

Why: Planning for spring, citywide compassion initiative.
Experience a Chain Reaction of random acts of kindness

When: Thursday, 8/18, 12-3pm

Where: Abounding Grace Ministries
9 E 7 St (Corner of 3 Ave a/k/a Cooper Sq), NYC

Limited seating available. RSVP to genxcel at gmail dot com by August 15.

Music Contest

2005-08-05T10:35:00.000-04:00

The Coalition is accepting demos from local musical artists for possible inclusion on the forthcoming Get Real multimedia CD.

All genres will be considered.

Submit demos by August 31 to:

Coalition - Get Real
c/o Infinity NY Church
PO Box 59
Bronx, NY 10470

August Coalition meeting

2005-08-05T10:34:00.000-04:00

Monday, 8/8, 10 am - 12 pm
American Bible Society
1865 Broadway (at 61 St)
New York, NY 10023

Scholarships available for Willowcreek Leadership Summit

2005-07-25T11:04:00.000-04:00

... through Seekers Christian Fellowships.

Attention all Greater New York student leaders, youth workers, and lay youth leaders: Apply today for a scholarship to attend the Willow Creek Leadership Summit, August 11-13, 2005.

Normally, the conference would cost $75 for students and over $165 for youth leaders and workers. However, through the Seekers scholarships, student leaders, youth leaders and youth workers will only have to pay $25. Time is running out, and space is limited.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Tuesday, July 26, 2005.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Confirm your interest by e-mailing seekers@uyai.org.
2. Download Summit Registration form.
3. Complete the Application and send it, along with a payment of $25 by check or money order, directly to Seekers (NOT Willow Creek) at:

Urban Youth Alliance
PO Box 617
Bronx, NY 10451

New York City LOCATIONS:

Brooklyn: Christian Cultural Center Site #96
Bronx: Crossroads Tabernacle Site #98
Manhattan: Trinity Baptist Church Site#101
Queens: Evangel Church Site #97

Competence without character

2005-07-11T17:14:00.000-04:00

... corrupts community and creates cultural chaos.

Jeremy's Crusade Diary

2005-06-29T15:13:00.000-04:00

Available here (various entries between June 21 and 29).

Refl3ctions photo in the New York Times

2005-06-22T15:56:00.000-04:00

The Refl3ctions prayer and worship event on Friday night exceeded just about everyone's expectations. Between 750 and 1,000 teens from Korean, Chinese, and Spanish language churches gathered at Korean Presbyterian Church in Flushing in a sea of multi-ethnic beauty that foreshadowed eternity. The program included music groups Jesus Generation (Chinese), Joyful Praise Ministries (Korean), and El Trio de Hoy (Spanish), a message from Ezekiel 37 by Dr. Gabriel Slaguero, and small group prayer facilitated by Peter Ong of Chinese Christian Herald Crusades and Rev. Steve Hwang of Crystal Evangelical Church.

On a personal note, El Trio was phenomenal. They performed twice, to open and close the evening, and returned for a much deserved and desired encore. Multiethnic faces worshipping to Latin rythyms in a Korean house -- my kind of church service!

Special thanks to our hosts and the tireless energy of Rev. Jimmy Lim of New York Council of Churches for facilitating this historic occassion.

The above picture from the Refl3ctions event appeared in yesterday's New York Times. The following correction dated June 22 appeared on the Times' website today: "A picture caption yesterday with an article about evangelical Christians in New York City referred imprecisely to the people pictured at the Korean American Presbyterian Church of Queens. They were attending a youth event in advance of this week's Billy Graham crusade; they were not necessarily members of the church."

2005-06-16T18:05:00.000-04:00

Upcoming Billy Graham Youth Events

2005-05-26T14:50:00.000-04:00

June 11

"Refl3ctions: Convergence Worship & Prayer Rally"
Time: 4 to 6 pm
Cost: FREE
Oversea Chinese Mission (154 Hester Street, Manhattan)
Concert features Koo Chung and Jinny Kim
Sponsored by: CCHC Herald Youth Center and Oversea Chinese Mission
Info: Peter Ong 212.334.2033 x1603 or petero@cchc.org

June 17

"Refl3ctions: Convergence Worship & Prayer Rally"
Time: 7 to 9 pm
Cost: FREE
Queens Korean American Presbyterian Church
(143-17 Franklyn Ave, Flushing N.Y. 11355)
Concert features Trio de Hoy, Joyful Praise Ministries, and Jesus Generation
Info: 718.886.4040 or stevehwang@crystalchurch.org

June 18

"Surround the Sphere"
Prayer Walk and Rally at Flushing Meadows Park
Meet 11 am @ U.S. Tennis Center Food Court
7 train to Shea Stadium/Flushing Meadows Park
Info: Kris Revelle at 212 857 2005 or youth@greaternycrusade.org

College students unite

2005-05-16T14:12:00.000-04:00

The Crusade's college outreach committee invites you to join them for a "Night of Prayer and Worship." Details here.

Youth Explosion at Great Adventure

2005-05-16T11:22:00.000-04:00

Join Youth Explosion for the hottest jump-off event for your youth ministry summer. Ticket information here.

We need to pray

2005-04-26T16:42:00.000-04:00

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Join the Youth Committee in praying for the Crusade. The following prayer rallies have been organized especially for young people around the theme of praying from the inside out.

5.6.05, 7:30 pm
Host: Bethany United Methodist Church
Tel: 973.694.3880 / Address: 491 Alps Road, Wayne, NJ 07470

5.13.05, 7 pm
Host: New Life Fellowship
Tel: 718.424.0122 / Address: 8210 Queens Boulevard, Elmhurst, NY 11373

5.14.05, 7 pm
Host: Onward Ministries
Tel: 718.961.4357 / Address: 385 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11221
(Cross Streets: Between Hooper and Keap)
6.4.05
Host: Youth Explosion Ministries / Great Adventure
See www.YouthExplosion.com for details.

Youth News: Spring Events

2005-04-26T15:01:00.000-04:00

Check out Metro Youth News, a ministry of Coalition member Kevin Philips, for the latest on upcoming youth events throughout the region.

Youth News: Area Youth Leader Gatherings

2005-04-26T11:54:00.000-04:00

Greater New York City - Coalition of Urban Youth Workers - youth leaders meet the second Monday of each month. The next meeting is Monday, May 9th, 10am-12, at American Bible Society (61st and Broadway). Details here.

Dutchess and Orange County youth leaders meet the first Wednesday of each month for lunch and a discussion of Doug Field's video series, "Leaders are Learners" - BUT NOT IN MAY. The next meeting will be Wednesday, June 1st at Fishkill Baptist, 12-2 (contact Brent for directions 845/896-9386 or email pastorbrent@fishkillbaptist.org.

Westchester youth leaders meet the 3rd Wednesday of each month. The next meeting is Wednesday, May 18th, 1-2pm, at First Baptist Church, Rt. 9, Tarrytown. Contact Steve Armstrong at 914.631.6372 to RSVP.

Crusade Venue Moved to Flushing Meadows Park

2005-04-18T12:04:00.000-04:00

"The executive committee of the Greater New York Billy Graham Crusade today announced its unanimous decision to move the venue for Mr. Graham's last New York City evangelistic crusade, to be held June 24, 25 and 26, from Madison Square Garden to Flushing Meadows Park." More here.

Recruit students for "Christian Life and Witness" today

2005-04-04T17:29:00.000-04:00

Christian Life and Witness Courses begin Monday, April 25 in 27 locations around the Greater New York area. Four are tailored specifically for young people:

Mondays (Beginning April 25th)

Bethel Gospel Assembly
2-26 E. 120th St.
New York, NY 10035
212-860-1510
Christ Tabernacle
64-34 Myrtle Ave.
Glendale, NY 11385
718-386-8882

Thursdays (Beginning April 28th)

Latino Pastoral Action Center
14 W. 170th St.
Bronx, NY 10452
718-681-2361
Brooklyn Tabernacle
17 Smith St.
Brooklyn, NY 11201
718-290-2000

CLWC is a four-week training in order to be certified as altar counselors at the Crusade. It also introduces believers from all levels of maturity to the basics of faith and how to live it in one's everyday life. Sign up today by emailing Kris at youth@greaternycrusade.org.

Billy Graham to Local Youth: 'Get Real'

2005-03-23T00:03:00.000-05:00

"Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come." (Ps. 71:18)

Answer: Five million. Question: How many young people under 19 live in metro New York?

Answer: A reality check. Question: How are they going to have a credible opportunity to attend the Greater New York Billy Graham Crusade?

In February, the Youth Committee for the Crusade and 787 participants adopted the modest goal of giving five million young people a credible opportunity to attend the Crusade. Yes, the Youth Committee and the local pastors that appointed us need a reality check.

Fortunately, Billy Graham is coming to New York this June to provide just that: a reality check called "Get Real."

Get Real defines both the essence of Mr. Graham's message and the strategy to generate awareness that he'll be in the city one last time to deliver it. It also establishes how and why the Crusade is relevant to un-churched kids, who would otherwise care less about sacrificing a summer Saturday to listen to an unfamiliar, 86-year old Southern preacher.

The message of Get Real is about a real man presenting real answers to real life issues. The real man, whom Christians regard as the world's foremost evangelist, is also the preeminent pop icon who has spoken live to more people than any other person in history. Yet his life reflects impeccable integrity, the same private character as public persona, and he is as concerned about individuals as he is for a crowd of half a million.

The real answers he offers meet people where they are, in their language, at the point of their greatest need. They transform lives through unconditional love that reaches into the mire of humanity without judgment, resisting the urge to be trite and simplistic.

The people with whom he associates have real issues. His invitation to "come as you are," transcends the hypocrisy of many churches as eternal truth, not just a cliché. All are welcome despite the complications of self-doubt, family dysfunctions, sex, drugs, or worse.

The strategy of Get Real is about recognizing opportunity and seizing it wisely. The historic opportunity demands our participation for dozens of reasons, including the following:

First, Mr. Graham is coming to New York for what might be the final crusade of his career at precisely the moment of his greatest spiritual impact. Recovering from hip and pelvis surgeries and battling Parkinson's disease, he is physically weaker than ever before. Yet his spiritual strength is at its peak, because in our weakness we experience God's strength.

Second, a local army of youth workers larger than Billy Graham has ever had in his ministry's nearly 60-year history-larger than Gideon's army and more numerous than David's "Mighty Men"-has already amassed. As of the February 26th Square One breakfast, 787 youth workers have agreed to participate.

Third, metro New York has more kids than any other market in the country, and their disproportionate influence on youth culture reverberates worldwide through the echo chambers of MTV, Fashion Avenue, and other media outlets.

Fourth, local Crusade leadership is willing to put their money where their mouth is and invest significant resources in the Get Real campaign.

Fifth, the local Billy Graham staff team is willing to be stretched. Leadership begins at the top, and crusade director Art Bailey has encouraged creativity.

Seizing the opportunity requires strategic focus and effective coordination of efforts. While the cause we have embraced is simple, implementation is not easy. Giving 5 million kids a credible opportunity means they need to know the event is happening and understand its relevance. To this end, Get Real has embraced a grassroots strategy that empowers students themselves to invite their friends. The Crusade Youth Committee will provide credible invitation tools, including an illustrated booklet and multimedia CD, that they will be excited to distribute at their schools.

In order for your youth ministry to Get Real with Billy Graham, register with the Crusade office by emailing youth@greaternycrusade.org. Embrace the Billy Graham Four Pillars for effective evangelism: Prayer, Training, Outreach, and Follow-up. Identify the high schools that your students attend, and commit to promote Get Real at those schools. Lastly, understand that local youth leaders must cultivate long-term relationships beyond the event in order to expand and preserve the harvest.

We in youth ministry serve a generation desperate for authenticity. Let's leverage this Crusade to give them Truth-modeled in how we live, not just the words we say-that meets them on their terms. And transforms their lives.

- Jeremy R. Del Rio directs Generation Xcel and co-chairs the Crusade's Youth Committee. For more of his writings, visit his weblog: www.GenXcel.blogspot.com. For information on the upcoming Billy Graham Crusade visit www.Billygraham.org or call (212) 857-2005.

Billy Graham Youth Committee - The Mobilization Strategy

2005-03-08T12:20:00.000-05:00

So you want to be involved in the Billy Graham Youth Committee? Here's how.

1. Grow the army. To the extent we're serious about giving 5 million young people in the Greater New York area a credible opportunity to attend Billy Graham's "Get Real" Crusade, 787 youth leaders is a nice start for our mobilization -- but it's merely that. A nice start. The guerilla army needs to grow. God promised Elijah 7,000 just like him (See the report for more on this). 787 youth leaders should be able to recruit 7,000 field officers. That's less than 10 for every one who attended the breakfast.

2. Register. Encourage the youth leaders you recruit to register their involvement with the Crusade office. Do this by emailing Kris Revelle at info@greaternycrusade.org or calling 212 857 2006. This allows for effective communications and coordination of efforts.

3. 4 Pillars. Embrace the Billy Graham 4 Pillars for effective evangelism: Prayer, Training, Outreach, and Follow-up. Learn more about this strategy at the Church Leaders seminars and other upcoming training events. See crusade website for dates and locations.

4. Be strategic. Identify the high schools in our area that your students attend, and send that information to the Crusade office. For example, there are 298 public high schools and alternative high school programs in the five boroughs. (800 youth leaders. 300 high schools. You do the math.) Get Real has embraced a grassroots marketing strategy that empowers students themselves to invite their friends and schoolmates to the crusade. We will provide credible invitation tools that they will not be embarassed to distribute, with your help, at their schools.

5. Be committed. Let your yes be yes and your no be no. If your ministry commits to get the word out to a local school, follow through. Four months is not a lot of time and leaves little margin for error.

6. Extend your vision. Understand that the Crusade is not the destination, but merely a scenic overlook on the journey. The army we mobilize for the Crusade must remain engaged long after the Crusade is over in order to expand and preserve the harvest. Cultivate relationships for long-term impact at monthly Youth Committee meetings, hosted by the Coalition of Urban Youth Workers at the American Bible Society, 1865 Broadway, New York City (at 61 St.), the second Monday of each month, 10 am -12 pm. Next Committee meeting: 3/14. (Directions: various subways to Columbus Circle; walk two blocks north on Broadway).

p.s. In case you're wondering, "Get Real" is the theme for the Billy Graham youth outreach. More on Get Real in a future post.

Billy Graham Youth Committee - The Report from Square One

2005-03-08T12:00:00.000-05:00

787 youth leaders converged on the Roosevelt Hotel in midtown for the Square One breakfast Saturday morning. Evangelistically speaking, that's eight hundred. Youth leaders. From the New York metro area.

There are 298 public high schools and alternative high school programs in the five boroughs. Hmm. 800 youth leaders. 300 high schools. Those schools are still in session until three days after Billy Graham's "Get Real" youth campaign is over. You do the math.

Coalition co-chairs Dimas Salaberrios and Jeremy Del Rio hosted the morning. As Jeremy prayed about how best to begin the program, he was reminded of how God stretched the prophet Ezekiel's faith by taking him to the Valley of Dry Bones and asking, "Can these bones live?" But that wasn't the message for the Committee. Nor was the passage from Isaiah that speaks about the "new thing" God is doing to bring rivers to the desert and pathways in the wasteland.

Instead God directed Jeremy to Elijah's 40-day funk. You know the story: 24 hours after the pinacle of his ministry, when he literally called fire down from heaven, Elijah was ready to end everything. He moped around the desert for 40 days asking God to take his life until finally God led him to a mountain. The earth shook, lightning flashed, but God's voice was not in the physical manifestations of his power. God's voice spoke softly, in the stillness of a whisper. And as he spoke, God surprised him."Elijah, you're not alone. I have reserved 7,000 just like you."

For those of us who have felt like solitary voices in the spiritual wildernesses of our communities, Square One was one of those moments where God spoke softly and said: "You are not alone. I am with you, and so are 786 others, at least. Those are just the few (a tithe perhaps?) that made the sacrifice to be here at 9:30 am on a Saturday morning."

According to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Saturday's breakfast was the largest gathering of youth leaders for a crusade in the ministry's nearly 60-year history. Ron Hutchcraft, the keynote speaker and a youth evangelist in his own right for over 30 years, said it's the largest gathering of youth leaders he's ever addressed.The energy in the room was electric, and the commitment was to a common cause.

There are 2 million young people ages 18 and under in the five boroughs (25% of the city's overall population of 8 million). 1.1 million of them are enrolled in the city's public schools. (FYI, 1.1 million represents, by itself, the 10th largest city in America!)Extending those numbers to the greater NY region, where 20 million people reside within a 20 mile radius of the city, there are approximately 5 million youth 18 and under.

So what's our takeaway from the breakfast?

The cause we have embraced is simple. (Not easy, but simple.) Give every one of those 5 million kids a credible opportunity to come and hear a real man present real answers to real life issues. And stay connected to one another beyond the event so we can properly preserve and expand the harvest.

At 86, recovering from hip and pelvis surgeries and battling Parkinson's disease, Billy Graham is physically weaker than he's ever been before. But spiritually, he's stronger than ever, because in our weakness we experience God's strength. We want every young person in the region to have a legitimate opportunity to experience God's anointing through the world's foremost evangelist. In God's providence, he has brought Dr. Graham to our city one last time, for what might possibly be the final crusade of his distinguished career. As the Psalmist wrote: "Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come." (Ps. 71:18)

Read the Mobilization Strategy for next step instructions on how to stay engaged.

Why I Support the Billy Graham Crusade (and Pray You Do Too)

2005-03-07T14:48:00.000-05:00

Billy Graham is coming to New York in June for his final crusade in the city, and quite possibly the last crusade of his distinguished career. So what? Why should you care, beyond perhaps the historical curiosity of the 86-year old, so-called “Protestant Pope” retiring?

My friend, for one, doesn’t. He's a respected youth pastor in the city who told me: "I don't [care] about Billy Graham and I don't [care] about this crusade." Shocking as this might seem to some, I don't believe he meant any disrespect. ...

Locally, our collective response to this Crusade says much more about the makeup of Christ's team in Greater New York than it does Billy Graham or his ministerial association. Can we forgive past frustrations? Can we link arms with folks whose traditions are a little different than ours? Can we join our community mission to a larger ministry vision? Can we bear the relative inconvenience of attending trainings, participating in the process (not just the event!), and sacrificing a June weekend?

By Jeremy Del Rio, excerpted from the March issue of the Tristate Voice. Read the entire column here.

Hosting Billy Graham

2005-03-07T14:07:00.000-05:00

In November 2004, the Coalition accepted the invitation of the Greater New York Billy Graham Crusade to provide leadership for the Crusade's Youth Committee, and Coalition co-chairs Dimas Salaberrios and Jeremy Del Rio agreed to serve the committee in the same capacity. To date, 787 youth leaders have connected with the committee.

Who We Are

2005-03-07T13:58:00.000-05:00

The Coalition is a growing association of evangelical youth workers, youth pastors, and youth leaders from Greater New York that collaborate for City-wide and regional youth engagement and leadership development efforts. Since October 2003, the Coalition has grown from approximately 2o participating leaders to over 80 representing 60 church, parachurch and community-based youth agencies. A February 26, 2005 breakfast hosted by the Coalition on behalf of the Youth Committee for the Greater New York Billy Graham Crusade drew 787 youth leaders from the tri-state area.

The Coalition is facilitated by a Leadership Team comprised of nine representatives.

January 2005-June 2006 Coalition Leadership Team:

Ralph Castillo, Youth Explosion
Jeremy Del Rio, Generation Xcel
Tracy Ellis-Ward, Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Liana Robinson, Beauty of the Heart Charm School
Esteban Rivera, Latino Pastoral Action Center
Marcus Smalls, World Vision New York
Walter Sotelo, Citivision
Julio Vasquez, DJ Who Ministries
Kevin Young, Student Venture

Past Leadership Team Members:

Jeremy Del Rio, Esq., Generation Xcel (2004-present)
Dimas Saleberrios, Infinity New York Church & City Director, Youth for Christ (2004-05)
Enid Almanzar, American Bible Society (2004-05)
Rahsaan Graham, World Vision New York (2004-05)
Dario Lariosa, New Life of New York (2004-05)
Sonya Denyse, Dream Development Advisory Services (2004-05)
Kevin Young, Student Venture (2004-present)

Our Statement of Faith

2005-03-07T13:51:00.000-05:00

The Coalition has adopted the Statement of Faith from the Christian Community Development Association as our own:

The Lord Jesus Christ, God’s Son, redeems us through His death and resurrection and empowers us by the Holy Spirit. The Bible is God’s Word and through it, we are called to live out justice, reconciliation, and redemption. The church nurtures God’s people, who are gathered in community to carry out God’s Word.

Coalition member ministries and individuals must affirm this Statement of Faith in order to enjoy full member benefits.

Our Meetings

2005-03-07T12:57:00.000-05:00

The American Bible Society has graciously hosted the Coalition at its New York City headquarters since our inception. Our meeting information follows:

The 2nd Monday of every month, 10 am - 12 pm
(except holiday Mondays are moved to the following Tuesday)
American Bible Society
1865 Broadway (Corner of 61 Street)
A,B,C,D,1,9 subways to Columbus Circle

Coalition History

2005-03-07T12:51:00.000-05:00

Casual reviews of MTV, summer blockbusters, so-called reality TV, Teen magazine, or any top-40 radio station demonstrate just how far Christianity has fallen in relation to the lives of our kids. More than 50 youth leaders gathered in October 2003 at Mission America's National Leadership Forum, to consider how we might strategically engage youth culture for Christ in the face of the seemingly increasing irrelevance of evangelical Christianity to urban communities.

We took a historical perspective as we considered how to produce revolutionary results. We looked to the Continental Congresses of 1774, when our nation’s original freedom fighters met in the first of a series of gatherings to coordinate a collective response to tyranny. Rather than presume to be experts, they confronted new and historic challenges with outside the box thinking, audacious resolve, and a determination that ultimately declared independence in 1776 and birthed the grandest socio-political experiment in history.

As a local coalition of urban youth leaders, we face a no less daunting task when one examines the condition of our youth today. As a result of our discussions four key strategic objectives emerged from the gathering. These items form the foundation of our mission.

1st
Established ministries and leaders must replace the popular myth that “young people are the future” with the truth that they are “the church of today who hold the future.” All too common in our churches, the myth produces well-meaning adults who might intend to inspire future calling, but do so at the expense of present purpose. It provides cover for condescension, and directly contradicts Biblical precedent, including Paul’s admonition to Timothy to let no one look down on young people.

2nd
The Church must commit to empower youth leadership and integrate youth ministry into the life of the larger Church body. Too often, youth ministry is viewed as a stepping stone to something more, with youth groups ghettoized into junior congregations with de facto junior holy spirits. Even worse are senior leaders who treat youth workers as threatening, and senior congregants who disdain them as “too young.” Genuine empowerment requires an investment of resources and a willingness to release authority to people on the frontlines who engage teens everyday, especially peer leaders, as well as grace to cover their failures.

3rd
Evangelicals must embrace and facilitate meaningful mentoring relationships that are lifestyle-based, not programmatic. Too many spiritual Joshua’s are leading people into the Promised Land without preparing a new generation of leadership for sustainable success. Further, at a time when 19.6 million kids live without dads in their homes (and 23.2 million live in homes without either or both parents), we must follow our heavenly Father’s lead in becoming fathers to the fatherless, while maintaining accountability and integrity.

4th
The Church must resolve, in no uncertain terms, to engage the culture holistically. The question must no longer be “should we engage,” but “how do we engage,” recognizing that Jay-Z, Britney, and MTV exert more influence on teen values than the church does because they have become better fishers of men than we are. As perverse as some of their songs and lifestyles might be, they nevertheless identify with kids’ pain and address their needs in language they understand and a forum they frequent, while we have evacuated the forum in order to entertain ourselves.