Youth Ministries Expand Online Presence

Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009 Posted: 5:57:01PM HKT

(Photo: BGR)

A number of youth ministries have been expanding their web presence, mostly through Facebook.

The Anglican youth ministry, the Diocesan Youth Board of Singapore, has created a Facebook group with nearly 200 members to date.

DYB’s group was set up for Anglican youth pastors, leaders and members to network online, post relevant articles, share resources and celebrate their 100-year heritage in Singapore.

Since July, the page has served as a means of bringing young Anglicans and their leaders together. Conversations mostly turn around events, such as the DYB’s youth pastors retreat and the Diocesan Family Day on September 21.

The first posting was made by Glenn Lim, a high-profile reformed drug smuggler who has been conferred multiple awards for his work among Singapore youths.

“Great job in setting this up, hopefully we get to harness our rich Anglican heritage as a generation who seeks the face of our God!” Lim’s July 18 posting read.

The youth minister, who runs training seminars for youth workers, schools and churches and is in great demand as a speaker, has started Facebook groups for some of his events.

This includes BGR or Building Godly Relationships, a series of Christian seminars, workshops and camps for Christian youths to help them build godly relationships and a biblical view of dating, courtship, sex and sexuality, with 135 members.

Another of Lim’s events for which he has started an online group is The Mentoring Academy, with 378 members.

He even has a page for a motivational camp for graduating students to inspire them to achieve life’s potential and opportunities conducted at Geylang Methodist Secondary School. This one has 172 members. There is also a page for the camp held with Fairfield Methodist Secondary School students.

Groups have been set up for camps slated to be held in 2010 in three different campuses, including Chai Chee Secondary School, Presbyterian High School and Beatty Secondary School.

A DYB Facebook member, who started a Facebook group for Singapore youth pastors, provided the link in her posting.

There are also event postings and links to other youth-related websites. The current event being highlighted is the Diocesan Youth Celebration, which is part of the Anglican Centenary celebrations.

Themed Crossing Over Together, the celebrations will see Anglican youths coming together and renewing their pledge to serve the Lord as a Diocesan family.

The guest speaker, Mike Pilavachi, is a sought-after speaker at international youth conferences. Co-founder and leader of the Soul Survivor ministry based in Watford, United Kingdom, Pilavachi is the pastor of the Soul Survivor Watford church based in North Watford, along with singer/songwriter Matt Redman and others, and has a passion for the youth of Watford and for social justice in the U.K.

According to a wall posting, the DYB is considering setting up an official blogsite.

The group for Singapore youth pastors has attracted 54 members thus far. A conference for youth pastors, for either the end of the year or early 2010, appears to be in the works.

Youth More Than Gold, a networking agent and coordinating body among Singapore churches to raise youth volunteerism during the Singapore Youth Olympic Games next year, has also set up a group, drawing 159 members.

The ministry has launched a website with a video introducing the campaign.

Edmond Chua
edmond@christianpost.com