Mission Arlington youth prepare to go back to school, worshiping the Lord together. Tillie Burgin walks through the group, speaking to the students.

At the end of each summer, Mission Arlington^® hosts a rally for youth, students who are going into the 7th through the 12th grades. Three hundred (300) students and sponsors attended this event. Though you can’t see it in this picture, the student population filled up most of the church, going to the back of the sanctuary.

Student ministry is an important part of our work each year.  The mission family hosts basketball leagues, gym nights, youth camps, and special medical and dental care for youth each year. Youth are obviously a part of the families helped every day through our front room, and a major part of the Bible studies in 349 locations which happen each week.

Students on the bus, coming in to the youth rally.

The students listened to a short worship video, and then heard a message from Chris, one of the Bible study leaders and pastors in a mission congregation which meets on the East side of Arlington.  As Chris spoke with and to the students, he asked them to consider what was important in their earthly friendships.  For example, “would you be friends with someone where the relationship was only one-sided?” he asked.  What if your friendship at school was with someone who didn’t want to talk with you, but always needed something from you.  The students caught on quickly, and knew that Chris was speaking about their relationship to the Lord.

Christ shared a verse in Matthew with them, which reminded them that religion, and good works would not get them into heaven, but only a personal friendship/relationship with Jesus Christ.

Afterwards, the students received pizza, and gathered in their Bible study groups with individual leaders to discuss what they heard. The discussion was lively and involved. Each student took the opportunity to think about what was important in their own friendships, and then to evaluate their relationships with God.  A few youth groups left the rally to do a “lock-in” or to spend time at their Bible study leader’s home, and more.

We are so grateful for the privilege we have of walking alongside and serving with the youth in our community. We are grateful to you for your constant, loving support.