A team of lay leaders and pastors is working to re-energize young adult ministries in Washington Conference to reach young adults ages 18–35 who have questions about the church and the role of the church in their lives.
"Young adults face three big decisions: who to marry, what career path to follow and what to believe about God,” said John Freedman, conference president. “The church plays a defining and nurturing part in helping young adults sort out life issues.”
In September, lay leaders put together a plan for two retreats and gatherings per year. The first event, Faith on the Farm in Duvall, Wash., was a weekend camping trip when young adults from several churches could come together and network, enjoy nature and express their faith.
Weekend programming, provided entirely by young adults, included a powerful sermon by Tyler Stewart of Portland, Ore., a performance of an original song by Heather Colburn, of Arlington, Wash., and testimonies from peers eager to share their faith.
One woman from the Everett Indonesian Church described the afternoon activities—horseshoes, volleyball, hikes and boat rides—as an opportunity for a “city girl to turn into a semi-country girl.”
Beyond retreats, the leadership team is also planning to develop a database of young adults in the region.
A weekend camping trip is the first event of the re-launched young adult ministry program in Washington Conference.
