top of page
Search

Retention of our Youth is Evangelism


In his presentation to Pastors at worker's meeting on Jan 7th, Israel Mora, Youth Director at the Oklahoma Conference, emphasizes that retention is evangelism (0:00). He highlights that the largest group leaving the church are youth and young adults, primarily due to relational issues rather than doctrinal ones (1:01).

Mora outlines three facets of youth ministry:

  • Retention: Keeping young people connected with Christ (0:31).

  • Reconnect: Reclaiming those who have stepped away from the church, which is also a form of evangelism (1:24).

  • Rejuvenate: Engaging in open evangelism (1:40).

He stresses that youth are not a problem to manage but a mission force to train (2:57) and that pastors are also youth directors (3:15). A key reason young people leave is a lack of meaningful roles and boredom (3:38). Mora encourages involving youth in church activities, including board meetings, to foster a sense of belonging (4:03). He also emphasizes the importance of being social and close to youth, regardless of differences, as this can bind them to Christ (5:43).

Mora states that retaining youth strengthens the future of the church (6:05) and that retention is strategic, not optional (6:34). His role as a youth facilitator is to partner with and support local churches in their specific needs (7:06).

The Oklahoma Conference's vision is to develop a culture of healthy, Christ-centered, Seventh-day Adventist disciple-makers (8:05). To achieve this, Mora aims to see youth and young adult ministries, including Pathfinder clubs, in every congregation, viewing the church's reach as extending to the entire community, not just its four walls (9:09).

He briefly mentions upcoming events (10:50):

  • Adventist Fellowship's "The Creation Case" in Tulsa and Park View (10:54).

  • Adventure Family Camp: "Magnified: Discovering the Bigness of God in Small Things" (11:14).

  • Bible Boot Camp for high schoolers focusing on preaching, hermeneutics, and apologetics (11:26).

  • Summer Camp: "Jesus the Light" (12:03), including a new Horsemanship Camp (12:24).

  • Pathfinder Bible Experience (12:43).

  • "Keep Oklahoma Clean" initiative to serve the community (12:51).

  • Union Camporee (13:07).

 
 
 
bottom of page