YARMOUTH, N.S. — Imagine at least 40 youths from Grades 6-12 getting excited about a bible study seminar. Such was the sight at a late February event organized by Yarmouth Wesleyan Church Pastor Alex Decker.
Even he was impressed by the turnout for South Shore Youth, especially considering it wasn’t a pizza party or rally.
“Gathering and fun events are great, but ultimately my passion is to see students dig deeper,” says Decker.
Youth were encouraged to take notes as Decker presented slides on "How to Study Your Bible.”
“Without context and guidance, the Bible can be confusing and overwhelming. It doesn't have to be and wasn't designed to be,” he says.
So how does he keep students engaged?
"That’s a million-dollar question,” he says with a laugh
Pre-COVID, it was normal to have 100-plus students meet every week for South Shore Youth events. Many were just excited to be with friends and have a place to hang out.
“Don't get me wrong, that's great and needed, but trying to teach to a group that doesn't want to be taught is always a challenge – ask any school teacher,” says Decker.
In his opinion, students aren't interested in religion. They're interested in truth, facts, and real-life application.
He believes people are meant to find those desires through Jesus.
“Students, and even myself, are not interested in a belief system for the sake of morals or security when we pass away," he says. "Faith in anything means nothing for students if they don't have a tangible way to connect it to how they live today."
He says teenagers are flooded with many things intended to convince them that they’ll be satisfied if they attain them: popularity, relationships, leaving town, maybe even giving up.
“These things can never truly deliver what they promise. At least not for very long. This leaves them feeling empty handed and searching. “Students don't just need rules and teaching. They need someone they can trust that will do life with them and create a safe place to ask and process big life questions that they're up against.”
A group of dedicated team leaders help youth answer those big questions. Decker has high praise for them.
“These leaders sacrifice time, family, and energy for these students because they've experienced the fullness of life that Jesus offers and they desire for these teenagers to experience the same. The goal of South Shore Youth is to equip students to take Jesus back into their schools and communities. Because our schools need an unshakable hope and peace."
A Q & A with group leaders
Dane Pinner
Q: How do you keep the interest of younger children?
A: We bribe them. We bring snacks and play games with them. (He laughs.) My group is pretty interested, but they sometimes ‘rabbit-trail’ so I just tell them, ‘C’mon guys, 15 more minutes and then we’ll be done.'
Randal Fells
Q: What did you teach tonight? Your main focus?
A: My main focus was basically about the kingdom… well, God. Bringing it down to Earth and making sure that we live as Kingdom people.
Alex Churchill
Q: What does Jesus mean to you?
A: That’s a big question. You can never really fully find that out I don’t think. You can get pretty close to an answer but to define that, it’s a 30, 40, 50-year journey. I’m only 30-years-old so I’m not there yet.
Brian Nickerson
Q: How do you refocus when youngsters start following that rabbit-trail and wandering?
A: I’ve lucked out where I have the senior high guys so it’s much easier than those who have younger students. Sometimes it’s just that simple reminder, hey, you guys committed to come here and talk about this so we have to talk about this. Sometimes it’s harder to get them back on topic. Sometimes it’s impossible. At least reminding them why we exist focuses most of them most of the time.
Judy Durling
Q: What’s their favourite activity?
A: Lately it’s been looking up scriptures, almost like the old Bible drills where our lesson always has scripture verses to look up and we basically have a little race and whoever gets it first stands up. They can’t wait and love doing that.
Noah Wilcox
Q: What does Jesus mean to you?
A: I guess to sum it up, he’s a great role model, he’s one of the centre-points of our religion – trying to be more like him every day.
Monnette Ebbett
Q: Do you think that what you’re teaching these children is helping them to stay away from drugs and alcohol, etc.?
A: No. For some of the kids, yes. For those who have come from stable homes and have heard it throughout their lives, they’re better-footed than some of the other kids.
The schools are tough and they’re looking for help and support. It’s like students are trying to fill their lives with something to make them happy, something that makes them forget. Some of them don’t know who God is and that he can give them satisfaction that they can’t get from drugs and alcohol. A lot of these kids are broken and they’re in home situations that are not good. They’re looking for satisfaction. We’re teaching them who God is and that he is a Father who loves them, unconditionally, no matter what they’ve done and that he can actually give them a joy that they cannot find anywhere else.
Esther Corey
Q: Sometimes your groups must become almost like mini-families. Does it help in their growth, this place that supports each other and shares camaraderie?
A: I think that’s extremely valuable and yes, as a mom, I’m very aware that it takes a community to raise a child. I’ve always been very thankful that there has been other adults and teens that are important to my kids. Tonight one of the ice breaker questions was, ‘What’s something that you would love for your peers to know about you, but it would be really awkward for one of them to go up to another and say, ‘By the way, did you know this about me?’
They kind of hesitated at first but then they all answered and there was some discussion that came out of it and you could tell that something changed by them just having the space for something, to see something deeper in them that maybe their best friend might not even know. Some of it was funny, some of it was just life experiences that they had. Even if they didn’t come back ever, I can’t help but think that in five years they would still remember when they were in ‘that place’ they felt this way. Then they’ll come back and know that they were seen.
More about the South Shore Youth
Meetings are held every Wednesday at Yarmouth Wesleyan Church, 7-8:30 p.m.
Periodically different events with specific purposes are offered: such as:
• bi-monthly rally. A large room gathering with live worship, speaker, stage games, etc.)
• hangout opportunities: After school pingpong, hikes, etc.
• assistant pastor Tom Cann holds monthly Young Adults gatherings (ages 18-30). Community, worship, and message - here at YWC.
• Follow on Instagram: @southshore.youth
