Yesterday, I was a part of a program that YWAM Townsville runs, called Youth Street Live. It's a program that DTS Students help out with every Saturday. We have the program here on base, and our group helps from 4:45-10:00PM.
The teenagers that come to our program are called "Crew", (so if I mention a "Crew", then I am referring to a teenager that is a part of Youth Street Live.)
I have started some friendships with a few of the crew. They are pretty great! Here's a picture of some of the girls that I hang with every week. Their names are Maddy, Becca (Bec), and Georgia.
On most Saturdays, we begin by having a meal with the crew. Announcements, birthday celebrations, and welcoming new crew happens during the meal (Fun fact: Dinner is called Din Dins.)
After meal time, the crew have time to participate in different activities, such as: playing soccer, football, skating in the skate park, playing music/singing, playing silly games, enjoying food and drinks in the cafe, and simply just spending time chatting and spending time together.
After this time, all of the crew and staff (myself and other DTS Students and Youth Street Leaders) all head into the base auditorium, and we begin our program called 180 Hour.
180 Hour can vary slightly from week to week. It is usually a combination of a time for worship and prayer, followed by a speaker each week. Yesterday, two DTS students shared with the crew about God's love, and also that in our weaknesses, God meets us there. There is usually a song or video clip that goes with the lesson, followed by some group discussion nd participation.
Through the lesson, our group got into a discussion of what it means to hear God's voice, or to know how God is speaking. Sometimes, when we don't hear God's voice, or know what he is saying, it might cause one to question God's love.
The really wonderful thing is that God's character never changes. Even in times where one might not clearly hear his voice, or know all of the answers, there is comfort in knowing that God's love is always the same and that God love stands in the midst of any circumstance.
Once 180 Hour finishes up, the Crew have a bit more free time. There is usually a rush at the Cafe right after 180 Hour, so this is the time of night where I help out in serving out Ice Cream Sundaes, Spiders (Which are equivalent to a Float), Shakes, Frappes, Mochas, Soda, French Fries (Or as they say, "Hot Chips"), Mini Pizzas, and Nachos.
There is also a Bible Study time after 180 Hour, for the Crew that want to go a bit deeper into discussions, or to come with any questions. There are staff on base that have taken the Biblical Core Course (BCC), (which is a secondary school that YWAM offers in various locations,) and some of those staff help to head that up.
Youth Street Live has been a really great ministry to be a part of here at YWAM. It's great to stay plugged into the lives of teens and to see how God is moving in their lives. It's actually really neat, because one of the original Crew members is now on Staff here at the base. There is another staff member on base that also used to be a Crew at Youth Street. They both have said that coming to Youth Street really gave them a place to grow closer to God and to build great friendships. Now, a few years later, it's really neat to see them walking into the callings God has on their lives.
The other neat thing about Youth Street is that some of the older Crew have an opportunity to step into student leadership roles. This gives them a place to be discipled in leadership, and to have a positive influence on other fellow teens. There are some really wonderful student leaders that work alongside Youth Street and they really have great potential as young leaders!
Altogether, I'm so thankful for the friendships that are forming with the crew, and I'm excited to see how much God will continue to move in their lives. If you ever think of the Youth Street Program, say a prayer for the Crew and that they continue to encounter God's love for them!
Here's one more fun picture with the Crew! Enjoy, and have a blessed day!
Abby
