If you are seeking the Christ, together we will find him.

What is Journey To Adulthood?

Journey To Adulthood is a complete youth ministry program of spiritual formation for 6 – 12^th grades. It uses Bible Studies, prayer, rites of passage, outreach ministries and both serious and playful activities to underscore its core principles: 1) Manhood and womanhood are free gifts from God. 2) Adulthood must be earned. There are three two-year segments; Rite 13, J2A and YAC. The program on a whole is a process of Christian formation and relational ministry rather that just a transferring of information. The idea is to learn how the Bible story intersects with our story. The end goal being the forming of disciples of Jesus: learning to see our lives in the light of the gospel.

Rite-13: The first two year ( 6^th & 7^th or 7^th & 8^th graders) focus on celebrating the individuality of each young person and their creative potential. Here we recognize the changes that these young adolescents are embarking on, mentally, physically and emotionally. The lessons help them to understand these changes and celebrate them as gifts from God. Commencing with a Rite-13 liturgy, the celebration of God’s gift of Manhood and womanhood, which is the community expression of this and a rite of passage from childhood towards adulthood

J2A: The middle portion of the program (8^th and 9^th or 9^th and 10^th graders), engages youth with the skills and critical thinking involved in adulthood. Here the youth learn that whereas manhood and womanhood was given to them as a free gift, adulthood must be earned. In J2A they will focus on the 4 areas, self, spirituality, sexuality and society and discover what these mean to them on their journey to adulthood with Christ by their side. The youth plan is to embark on a pilgrimage together at the end of this segment. This experience is often the spiritual highlight of their youth and generally leads to the desire to confirm their faith in Christ.

YAC: (Young Adults in Church) This is a mentor –based program that helps older teens (11^th and 12^th graders) discern and carry out a ministry within their church or in the larger community. Vocation and development of a personal credo are also emphasized. A final rite of passage sends them out into the world as ambassadors of Christ.

Journey To Adulthood is based on the principles of relational youth ministry. It assumes that at least two adults (of both genders) will be leaders for each of the three groups and that these leaders will serve for two years and then take a “break”. This engages many more adults in building relationships with youth and providing positive role models for them. The traditional youth ministry model of a single youth “guru” depends on the personality of that individual—and when he or she leaves, the youth program often collapses. Journey To Adulthood is designed to engage lots of adults in nurturing the youth of the congregation and the community. It is designed to bring young people into full participation in the life of the congregation so they actually ARE the church of today instead of the church of the future!