I have been doing allot of praying, and soul searching to discover what God really has in store for Refuge Student Ministry. Our students have come along ways from 3 months ago, however I think it is time to kick it up a notch. Our purpose is too shallow, and I feel it lacks in many of the important areas of a student’s life.

Our Mission is to Reach Everyone Faithfully United In God Eternally.  “God is our Refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. – Psalms 46:”  We exist to communicate God’s unconditional love to students, to equip them to share their faith, and to train them to reach out to those in need.

This covers many different aspects such as Evangelism, Being Faithful, Training, Unity, and God, however what does all that really mean.  When I first came up with REFUGE I wanted to keep it simple, but unfortunately in my simplicity I neglected educating my students in certain areas of ministry.  I seek to change that philosophy by incorporating some different aspects of ministry through REFUGE.  This is only a rough draft, and I anticipate on changing it.  I want to make sure that I cover the major areas of ministry.

R - Reach & Evangelize

E – Equip & Disciple

F – Find & Discover

U – Unite & Connect

G – Glorify & Honor

E – Encourage & Edify

Through reviewing our purpose statement it has really opened my eyes to areas that we all neglect so often in our own lives.  I have been beating myself up for the last few weeks trying to discover what I hope to really accomplish here at Bethel.  I came to this church with all kinds of ambition and ideas, and they seem to be crumbling before my feet.  I want more for our youth group, than my fabricated ideology of what youth ministry is suppose to be like.  I want my students to graduate from Refuge with purpose that will carry over to the everyday life.  I pray that whether you be a youth pastor, pastor, minister, missionary, or servant look at your life and ministry, and ask what is the purpose, and what is it based off of.