Press Release: A Glance at Youth Ministry in Myanmar

Foreword to “A Glance at Youth Ministry”

The idea that there should be ministry to youth isn’t a new thing.  Jesus said in Luke 18:16, “Let the little children come to me.”  In the Old Testament after God had given the Israelites the Law He tells them in Deuteronomy 4: 9 to, “Teach them to your children and to their children after them.”  Much of the Church has realized that we are today living in a very young world where there are over 1.8 Billion youth.  Most developing countries have 40- 60%, of their populations under the age of 25.  Right now is the perfect time to learn how to do youth ministry effectively so that this young generation can be reached for Christ.  Let’s bring the youth to Jesus and teach them his ways.

Myanmar has kept a changing world out for a long time, but there is a flood of change coming.  Is the Church ready for the change that is coming?  That is why it is important for the church to take a glance at youth ministry in Myanmar.  Not because the title rhymes but because we need to pause and rethink if your church’s youth ministry is meeting youths needs.  The definition of ministry is to “meet needs.”  With the changes happening in the government and in business right now means the youth’s needs are changing too.

In the pages that follow you will examine the current trends in youth culture here in Myanmar.  From those trends you will get practical ways in understanding where ministry must change to continue to meet youths needs.  You will be challenged to rethink youth ministry in your church or how you can begin a new ministry to youth.  I ask that you keep an open mind and pray through this book and ask God to open your eyes to the truths you can get out of these pages.

I have been traveling to Myanmar since 2006 and continue to be amazed at the depth of God’s church here.  There are many capable people doing ministry with passion, serving God in youth ministry.  From the start YouthHOPE has had a goal of creating youth ministry resources that were written by Myanmar Pastors of Youth.  As we have networked to discover who’s doing what here in youth ministry, it is evident there are many who have a heart for youth.  It is also evident that those with expertise in youth work have been without an encourager telling them to share their knowledge with other youth workers.  We want to be that encourager of those with experience to share what they know.

A Glance at Youth Ministry in Myanmar was written by people who have done many years of excellent youth work and want others to learn from their experience.  Some of these people you may know and some you may not because they are from a different denomination.  We purposely chose people from different church backgrounds because we believe that the Kingdom of God is big and we are all needed to get the job done.  The authors we have asked were those with a “Big Kingdom” focus.

I hope you find in this book to be a practical guide in doing ministry to youth, a reference when planning, and an encouragement when you are discouraged.  Be encouraged that there are many just like you working hard every day to bring the youth of this country and generation to the feet of Jesus.

Your partner in youth work,

Ryan Russell

Book’s Table of Contents

Part 1:  Where do I begin?

1. Creating a Youth Ministry in the Church
2. Training Volunteers
3. Involving Youth In Ministry
4. Collaborating in Youth Ministry
5. Reaching Youth Through Conferencing

Part 2:  What’s so different about Youth?

1. Youth Culture Trends
2. Spirituality of Youth
3. Drug Addiction and Youth