Advocacy

And the Lord said, "Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand...For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, do not fear, I will help you." ^{Isaiah 41:10-13}

So...what does this mean? What the ministry of Advocacy does is call to mind that there is a need to provide and to promote a voice...YOUR VOICE! Advocacy aims to give you a place where the spirit can work without the daily pressures of peers and/or parents. Yes, it is true that expressing your views and opening yourself to be vulnerable...to learn, to understand, and to be understood...is tough and even risky but take courage! You have a program...and a youth minister...ready and willing to assist you in expressing yourself AS YOU ARE, not as you might think you need to be.

Know that this youth program is a place that provides you a safeguard in situations where you might feel intimidated, vulnerable, and doubtful. Take a moment to reflect upon what the Lord had to say in the Book of Isaiah above.

How are you being true to who you are? Where is your voice? What is in the way of letting yourself be free to be you? Where are your gifts, talents, and energy being respected and utilized?