Oct. 22, 2009

Youth Worship Event Set at DWU

MITCHELL — Students from all Christian faiths will converge onto the Dakota Wesleyan University campus next month in the name of God – and a little fun.

The second annual Mitchell Area Youth Event will take place in the Sherman Center on campus Wednesday, Nov. 4. Worship begins at 6:30 p.m., with doors open at 6 p.m., and the event is free and open to the public.

This ecumenical experience pulls people from the surrounding communities to worship as one, said Campus Pastor Brandon Vetter.

Jason Gant www.rezlifekc.org

“We are excited to provide this opportunity to the community free of charge. It is exciting to bring together more than 500 students and leaders from various backgrounds to worship together,” Vetter said.

The event is designed for sixth- through 12th-graders and their youth leaders and will feature a guest speaker, Jason Gant, of Leawood, Kan. Gant has extensive experience in youth ministry and will speak Wednesday night during the event and also during campus worship at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 5.

“Jason comes from a very effective and very well respected, nationally, United Methodist Church, that can both be relevant to the culture and able to reach people for Christ in the 21st Century,” Vetter said.

Gant serves outside of Kansas City in one of the largest United Methodist churches in the country. He supervises a staff reaching sixth-graders through college students. His first book, “Youth Ministry,” is designed to encourage and equip youth ministry leaders in the small church setting. He also leads the “Vibe” worship venue, an alternative style of worship for youth adults.

There will be a question and answer luncheon with Gant Thursday following worship, discussing youth ministry and alternative worship styles for interested pastors, church leaders and students. Lunch is free, but there is a mandatory pre-registration by e-mailing Vetter at brvetter@dwu.edu, or by calling 995-2919. Deadline for registration is Friday, Oct. 30.

“I find it is always good to have younger students on our campus to see what DWU is like and if it is the right college fit for them in the future,” Vetter said. “Also, I think it is excellent and important for Christian sixth- through 12th-graders to see college students who are still following Jesus into their young adult years.”

It takes about 20 to 30 college students to run the youth worship event, and the event not only engages DWU students in community outreach, but also familiarizes them with youth ministry.

“DWU has had, in varying degrees through the years, programs in youth ministry and always has a handful of students wanting to head down that career path. This is one way for our students to get exposure to what youth ministry is like,” Vetter said.