Youth Ministry

The New Evangelist

By Dave Davis

RICHTON PARK, Illinois—Two years ago my wife, Tina, and I were attending the Joliet, Illinois, church alone as our children, Alex and Nicole, searched for a place where they could worship.

They came home one night from a youth group and asked if they could start their own group in our home. Not wanting to disappoint them, Tina and I allowed an invasion of our personal space, not to mention our comfort zones. Or should I say, we surrendered to the will of the Spirit, because what has transpired in our little family room can only be described as miraculous!

From a group of just 10 teens and the commitment from our pastor, James Newby, the fledgling youth group that started two years ago has grown to a group on the average of 25 faithful young people. Every week our home is invaded with laughter as teen after teen walks in the open door announcing his or her arrival with a hug and a "Hello mom and dad."

They make their way into the family room, where everyone is greeted with another round of hugs before the room is filled with songs praising God and a lesson on life principles.

From the original 10, only three were from our fellowship. Most were invited from school by two of the youngest girls. Since then we have had five baptisms, and four of the older ones are counseling to become ministers.

Most of the teens participate in three other youth groups, fellowshipping with countless other teens professing their love for God. Diversity spans racial and secular lines encompassing various faiths. One girl was into Wicca and now is asking to come with us to church.

The Joliet church was quick to open their hearts to the young people with prayers along with accepting a contemporary service. Now we bring with us on the average eight teens, and at times we have enough to make up a third of the congregation. That alone would be enough to give praise to God about, but there is so much more!

From out of the youth group came a need for a worship band. Three teens organized a band called Cranial Halo. In the past two years they have played at three youth conferences, for more than 15 churches of various denominations, at four summer festivals, and at the WCG fall festival in Davenport, Iowa. They also have opened for Ace Trouble Shooter and Daniel’s Windows, two mainstream Christian bands.

Alex Davis, 20, is the bass player and vocalist. He was raised in the WCG and is one of the newly baptized. Jared Hobson, who just turned 20, is the lead vocalist and guitar player. He lives in Indiana when he isn’t sleeping at our house. Meghan O’Connor, 16, is the drummer and backup vocalist. She comes from a nonpracticing Catholic background and is grateful to be a new believer.

Their messages are simple: No matter who you are or what you have done, God loves you and he cares about you, so "Live for him."

For more information visit their web site at www.cranialhalo.com

I see evangelism as an open house were the love of God abides, where teens wear T-shirts to school, professing they are saved and inviting others to that salvation. And the rock and roll beats of a drum, bass and guitar, praising God, leads others to dance, jump and scream for the one who came, died, rose and will come again.

I see evangelism as the surrender of everything you have and know so you can watch God at work. The last two years have been an incredible ride. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for the next two years and beyond.

YOUTH BAND—Cranial Halo members
from left: Jared Hobson, Meghan
O’Connor and Alex Davis.

YOUTH GROUP—Some of the teens
who meet in the Davis home.

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