On June 9-13 from 7-10 pm, Independent Bible Church will be hosting its annual Teen Week. Monday through Friday will be filled with games, food, worship and time spent learning more about God from His Word.
This will not be the first time Teen Week has happened. In fact, this event has been going strong for roughly half a century!
In its early years teens would meet at IBC leader’s houses. Youth leaders like Lou DiGuglielmo and Bob Tabler among others were instrumental in those years. With at least one night being a pool party and BBQ. IBC families graciously opened their homes to a group of students to share God’s love with them.
Over the years, turnout grew. Eventually moving to being onsite at IBC. Van Marsceau, IBC’s first youth pastor, made Teen Week an even bigger part of IBC’s youth ministry. Fun nights at Lambert Pool, mud pits in the outback, crazy games, and Friday night bonfires were fondly remembered by those who shared their memories with me.
Other youth pastors Lowell McDonald, Dean Plumlee, Brad Heacock, and Josh Tingler have all put their spin on Teen Week as it continued to grow. Humorous skits, eating culinary cacophony crackers, nascarts, and team building initiatives have all been added to Teen Week folklore.
Throughout the years, no matter the phase of Teen Week, or the leader overseeing it, the goal has always been the same. Connecting students to God through the teaching of His Word and proclaiming of the Gospel that Jesus saves sinners.
It is hard to quantify the impact Teen Week has had in the lives of hundreds of students over the decades. This past year I met two individuals who are faithfully walking with the Lord today and ministering to the next generation who accepted the Gospel at Teen Week years ago.
As we near Teen Week this year, would you pray that God will continue to use this event to connect students to Himself through the teaching of His Word and the proclaiming of the good news that Jesus saves sinners?