Why do you feel Delve and Youth Group are important for kids in middle school and high school?
- I think that Delve and Youth Group serve way more than one purpose! With Delve, this may be the first time that this age group is really able to dive into what faith looks like in our church, in their community, and also personally to them! The Delve age group is where many students start to face challenges whether that be with school, friends, faith, or personal. Delve gives them an open space to ask questions and voice concerns or confusion and create judgment free dialogue with their peers and an adult leader. With Delve possibly being their first real dive into what shapes their faith, it is important to have a space that can guide them in the direction of answers and understanding.
- With Youth Group, not only do you get to dive in deeper to your faith, but also how it really plays a role in your life. Whether that be through worship, service, or just everyday life, you gain a deeper understanding of what your faith really means to you. Youth group also introduces you to so many great service opportunities whether that be in the church, in the community, in other states, or even other countries!
- For both Delve and Youth Group, you really do get to create some long lasting friendships that may not have been formed without these spaces!
Do you have your own experiences growing up in the church that have made a positive difference?
- Most Definitely! Southwood created a really welcoming and open space for me to come and dive deeper into my faith and ask hard questions without judgment. To me that has been one of the biggest impacts from my involvement within Southwood whether it was when I was in Youth Group or still today, there is always someone willing to have those tough conversations with you and challenge you even further when you’re ready! I also personally have gained such great friendships that I wouldn’t have been able to form without Southwood because we went to different schools. Those friendships were really able to blossom on the many mission trips we took together and the service we did together.
How is volunteering to help youth fulfilling?
- To me personally, being able to be a leader that students feel comfortable being around, asking questions, or having tough conversations with means a lot to me. When I was growing up in the church, Drew Jagadich and Pastor Michael both played that role of guidance for me and those conversations still play an important role in shaping my faith. I really just hope that I can have the same kind of impact!
Why is it even more important now (coming out of a pandemic and with everything going on in the world) to offer faith-based programs to youth?
- I think oftentimes, now for any age, it is easy to get stuck in a dark place. Especially for youth though, there is a lot of uncertainty in their lives. There is a lack of physical and in person connection which plays a huge role on mental health, friendships, and their faith. Being able to offer faith-based programs gives students the opportunity to take a break from their stress at school or everyday life, come and be with other students facing the same things, and dive into something that connects them! Everything going on in the world right now really seems to isolate everyone and being together in faith can bring some light back into their lives.
Do you see the church as a way to offer hope to young people?
- Yes definitely! In fact that’s my goal as being a volunteer with the youth. I hope to really create a welcoming and open environment that they can come and lay down all their worries especially since I have lived those worries not too long ago. I think Southwood especially creates hope for all ages as they really represent what it means for all to be welcome at the table. There’s no conditions with it, just being able to come and be open with each other in faith and life creates a ton of hope and a solid example of what our faith represents.
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