Creative ministry ideas at TeenStreet

As part of the TeenStreet conference in Germany this year, 2,000 teens hit the streets with:

Teens wait as a local man fills out a postcard; postage was paid by TeenStreet.

• drama
• music
• street dancing
• face-painting
• nail painting
• chatrooms
• prayer walking
• handing out roses 
• free postcards 

In partnership with the city of Offenburg, an attempt was even made to beat the record for Germany’s longest coffee table.  TeenStreet served 625 tables with coffee and cake provided by a local bakery and many encouraging conversations were started.

“We want Christians to be involved in society, making an impact by serving, being an example and sharing the love of God in practical ways," said Clarion Samuels of OM Germany, "Young people play a big part in changing society with the love of God.”

The City of Offenburg was so impressed by the event that they invited TeenStreet back to the city  for two more nights. It was not the world record that impressed the officials.  Clarion says, “They were impressed by the discipline and love the teenagers shared with other people and how they served the city. Through the teenagers of TeenStreet, locals have come to view teenagers in a new way.”

You can participate in creative ministries on a short-term mission trip.  See creative trips available here.

pray for Teenstreet

The Teenstreet conference kicks off this weekend in Germany and runs through August 8. Please pray as young people from all over Europe connect to one another and to the Lord at this gathering. For more information, see the video here:

TeenStreet Germany 2009

"This was a great week

and it changed my life,"

said 15-year-old Lilija from the Faroe Islands.
"I learned about trusting God and giving Him everything on my heart."
In the closing hours of TeenSteet 2009 there were
similar enthusiastic responses from hundreds of teens,
group leaders, volunteers and even staff.

From August 1-8 , teens from 17 countries came together in Offenburg, Germany. The city's Messe conference site became a self-contained village, complete with a coffee shop, book store, café, exhibit hall, dining hall, two stages, cocktail bar, sports fields, ArtZone and sleeping accommodation with facilities for more than 3,600 people who attended TeenSteet Germany 2009.

"Our biggest heart for TeenSteet is that the young people know that God is walking with them," said Debs and Josh Walker, the main stage speakers. "This week was about practically living out their faith with the Lord."

The programme was rooted in Hebrews 11:6, which says that "without faith it is impossible to please God." The theme, "Impossible," challenged the teens to seek God earnestly. The teens also took part in an afternoon outreach in Offenburg and nearby cities collecting glass and praying for "Impossible" situations in people's lives.

Josh and Debs know that it can be difficult for teens to sustain the depth of relationship with Jesus they experienced at TeenSteet.

"My heart for teenagers when they go home is that when they wake up every morning they have an expectancy that God can do something wonderful that day, even if there are things that seem impossible to them," said Josh.

Debs added, "And what is so exciting is that God will continue to be with the teens when they go home as well."

Story by Janet Goreham

TeenStreet

OUR PURPOSE

...is to work with the church to motivate and equip Christian teens to have a real friendship with Jesus to reflect Him daily in their world.

The first TeenStreet Germany teen congress happened in 1993 and attracted just 56 people. Today, the congress attracts over three thousand teenagers, as well as leaders and volunteers from across Europe.

But the congress is just the beginning. TeenStreet 365 is our vision to invest in the lives of European young people all year round, empowering them to walk with Jesus each day and reach their full potential as people created by God!

Have you checked out pictures and videos from TeenStreet happening right now in Germany?? You can find pictures here and videos here.