The Nairobi Chapel Youth Department
“Remember your creator in the days of your youth…” (Eccl 12:1)

Contextual Relevance
"The youth are leaders of tomorrow" is a well-known slogan that those at the helm have time and again used expediently to secure their own positions, whilst keeping the youth ‘in their place’. However, the youth are now asking, "When will tomorrow come?"

At Nairobi Chapel, we believe and assert in our Youth Ministry that "Tomorrow is here!” We believe this because God has gifted young people with energy, zeal and time - desirable resources for leadership. Also, bearing in mind their large numbers - over 60 percent of the Kenyan population is under the age of 21 - the youth clearly have a role in leadership. For these very reasons we are committed to evangelize and disciple them to be the kind of leaders God calls them to be in Christ.

Mission Statement
“The youth ministry will exist to draw all young people into the community of saints, nurturing them into mature disciples, witnesses and worshippers of Christ Jesus”.

Philosophy of Ministry
Our philosophy is based on Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:1. Here the wise teacher, under divine inspiration counsels the young person to enjoy his youth as he determines; but to do so with the knowledge that one day, he will account for his actions before his Maker. We would call this concept ‘Fun and Faith’.

Although there seems to be a dichotomy between these two terms, we believe that the quest for faith does not necessarily preclude joy. Young people can engage in wholesome fun without having to be less serious about the things of God. All they need is assistance in identifying the right kind of fun-filled adventures that help grow their faith. The term faith here denotes all the spiritual aspects of our relationship with God.

We also believe that it is our God-given duty to set up an environment in which our young people will grow in faith as they have fun. We strive therefore to develop structures and a leadership style that doesn’t only offer programs, but relationships also – healthy relationships among their peers, with their parents, and their leaders. 

In summary, our philosophy of ministry regarding the youth is that they should be nurtured into healthy relationships, in a context of fun and faith, towards maturity in the things of God.

The Ministry Facets
The life of a youth is a journey of discovery. It is perhaps the most precarious phase of life, owing to the numerous risks they encounter. Left unguided, their curious nature will often times prompt them to seek answers adventurously – and suffer for it.

For this reason, our ministry to the youth is tailored to guide them through this phase by providing an environment that affords them age-appropriate knowledge and experience, which progressively enable them to find their place, and play their part in society.

We presently cater for young people in the age range 12-22 and have about 120 youth who are divided into 4 focus groups:

• GUZA is a preteen’s class of 12 year olds, who have just graduated from the children department’s “Johari” (Jewel) class. The group’s name is an acronym that calls the youth to live God centered lives by Using their gifts Zealously as an act of worship, while Applying God’s word in their daily lives.
• Cross-Roads is for 13 year olds who are at a critical point of their lives, as their name suggests.  Having crossed the threshold of teen hood, our efforts are geared towards guiding them through its challenges, and teaching them to be responsible. The year long program culminates in Rites of Passage Experiences (ROPES) which marks the onset of a life of accountability.
• Teens consist of ROPES initiates who have been raised to the (teens) peerage. With their new found status in the community of faith, these 14 -18 year olds are obliged to live responsibly, to be a positive influence.
• Young Adults comprise 19 – 22 year old youth. Theirs is the highest level of the youth experience. Much emphasis is placed on equipping them for adult hood responsibilities. 

Youth Programs/Activities

• Our Sunday gatherings incorporate bible study, discussion and reflection. While GUZA, Cross-Roads, and Teen classes are held from 11:00 to 12:00 noon, the Young Adults attend class from 9:30 to 10:30 am. This arrangement makes it possible for all to congregate for large group worship at 10:00 am.
• Our youth have a phenomenal service dubbed Expressions. This service is a monthly worship event that affords them an opportunity to come together to worship, in styles and preferences that reflect their youthfulness and minister to their needs. Led by Nairobi Chapel’s own teen band and dance crew, the worship service incorporates contemporary styles of dance and music of various flavors.
• Every year (during school holidays) 3 ‘theme camps’ , Easter camp, August camp and ROPES camp - are organized for the Young Adults, Teens and Cross Roads respectively. These offer the youth a significant opportunity to break from routine and retreat for a mix of fun and faith learning.
• The Cross-Roads ministry has a monthly parents meeting during which they have the opportunity to chart the progress of their children.
• The youth department liaises closely with Soul Nairobi (a coordinated mission, linking over 60 churches in Nairobi) for outreach and community service projects.

Our Goals (January 2006 – December 2006)
Our mission is broken down into four components that help define our goals.

• Outreach 
• Community,
• Nurture and,
• Worship.

Outreach Goals

• To conduct major outreach campaigns every school holiday with the aim of winning over 1000 young souls. 
• To establish pastoral relationships with all high schools within the church’s vicinity.  
• To develop a sports ministry that will organize sporting events during the school holidays as a tool of evangelism. 
• To hold Christmas concerts in Schools, Malls, and Children’s Homes.  

Community Goals

• To partner in outreach with various strategically placed churches. 
• To involve parents in the Youth Ministry deeply through regular meetings and by engaging them in class teachings, discussion panels and out door activities. 
• To start small prayer groups both within local community and the target high schools (where none exist).

• Nurturing Goals
• To teach a holistic curriculum that speaks to every area of teens lives:
• Their relationship with God (Upward).
• Their surrounding; i.e. school, neighborhood, peer group, etc. (Outward).
• Their issues; e.g. relationships, identity crisis, addictions, etc. (Inward).
•  
• The Youth curriculum will be developed with the following resources in mind:
• Conformed to His Image, by Kenneth Boa.
• 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens – Covey Jr. (NB: this book will be studied within the confines of biblical truths).
• Beyond belief – Josh McDowell.
• Parental input.
• Special guests.
•  
• To develop small groups at all levels of the youth ministry. 
• To recruit more leaders so as to have one leader for each group of not more than 8. 
• To develop youth leadership by
• Facilitating their training to better understand youth culture and to be effective teachers. 
• Recruiting and training volunteers.
• Ensuring that they are in touch with current trends that affect the youth.
• Holding frequent (Once a month) appraisal meetings with them.
• To create an environment in which the youth can hone their gifts and talents to serve the wider church better.

Worship Goals

• To train the youth to live out a holistic concept of worship as a lifestyle.
• Growth of the ministry of the worship team. 
• To host a concert this year. 

Ministry Oversight
The youth department is run by a team led by Pastor Richard Chogo Others include pastors Albert Outa and his wife Eda Esilabawho are currently away at Elmbrook church, USA for a one year internship program. They are assisted by 2 interns who handle the department’s administrative work and a host of teachers who assist in the various classes.