October 2007

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

One of the things I’ll be thanking God for this Thanksgiving is Generations Ministries. As I mentioned in my last letter, God has blessed us with a hope-filled vision that sees our members, congregations, pastoral networks and denominational ministries partnering in new ways to make disciples who make disciples, in new generations, new cultures and new places.

The mission of Generations Ministries (GenMin) is to pro­mote cross-generational community life within the ministries, families and churches of the Worldwide Church of God. This mission is grounded in several core commitments:
 

·    Jesus and his gospel: sharing his life and proclaiming his message of grace.

·    Intergenerational community life: gathering all age groups to celebrate together the life we share in Jesus.

·    Grace-based families: helping parents, couples, and seniors build a grace-based home life.

·    Young disciples: partnering with parents and churches to help children, teens and young adults celebrate their connection in Jesus to the love and life of God.

·    Emerging ministers: training and providing opportunities for the next generation of Christ-centered church and family leaders.

These commitments are lived out through three components: Camp Ministries, Family Ministries and Servants Passage. Additional information about these ministries is available online at http://youth.wcg.org/generations/ .

GenMin Camp Ministries

GenMin camps, mission trips and retreats gather all age groups and entire families to share together in God’s love. In 2007 these ministries are touching the lives of more than 1200 children and teens through the effort of some 700 adult staffers working together in 15 camps and one short-term mission camp/trip. Our vision includes expanding to at least 24 camps and multiple mission trips.

Plans are well under way to launch an event named Encounter. It will bring together all age groups (families, couples and singles) for a retreat that has the transformative atmosphere of our camps but in an environment that will be enjoyed by all age groups. The first Encounter will be held Oct. 9-12, 2008 near Cincinnati, Ohio. In future years, there will be a number of Encounter events throughout the United States.

GenMin Family Ministries

These GenMin ministries equip parents, and reach out with God’s love to disciple the young (children, teens and young adults), support parents and guardians, and strengthen marriages. This is done through seminars, publications and online resources. GenMin’s Connection seminar teaches the foundations of ministries that help children and teens celebrate the connection they have to the triune life of God in Christ. GenMin’s Grace-based Parenting seminar teaches practical ways to create a nurturing home environment.

GenMin Servants Passage

A primary part of the GenMin mission is helping congregational leaders grow in ministry ability. That includes forming ministry teams that give birth to new generations of leaders. Servants Passage is a facilitated journey of learning that occurs within ministry teams. About 400 pastors, ministry leaders, and workers are now participating. If you’d like to join the journey, contact Ted Johnston at Ted.Johnston@wcg.org.

I thank God for GenMin as a substantial and important ministry in our denomination. And I thank you for the support you have already given to it in your prayers, your volunteer service, and your donations.

In Christ’s service,

Joseph Tkach