Link to Ted Edwards Home Page
We've been fortunate to have Bart Jones as Youth Intern at West-Ark for the
3rd consecutive year. Our prayer for Bart is success, significance and
happiness - but most importantly, that he may always know the love of God in
Christ that is reflected in His church!
Recently, I asked Bart to share some of his feelings concerning Summer
Ministry at West-Ark. Here are the results:
See you in Bible Class!
I've learned something new every year. The first summer was an introduction
to youth ministry and our youth group. I learned the basics: where things
are kept in the office, what kinds of resources are helpful for what
activity or situation, and how to set a schedule. My second summer I was
given more responsibility to minister. Remembering what worked and what
didn't work from the previous summer, I was able to truly begin to make
better applications with my responsibilities. Now finishing up my third
year as youth intern, many things have come together. I've learned that
relationships are a big part of youth ministry. Every relationship you have
plays a role in the ministry. But out of all relationships, your
relationship with God must be sound. Without it nothing else matters.
I have learned a vast amount of other things in the time that I have spent
in this position. But the one thing that I try to stay true to is something
I knew before my work here began. II Timothy 4:2-5 says, "...preach the
word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with
great patience and instruction ... be sober in all things, endure hardship,
DO THE WORK OF AN EVANGELIST, fulfill your ministry." I'll continue to try
my best.
My attendance of "Senior Week" at Green Valley Bible Camp was one of the
most spiritually uplifting times of my life as well as my summer. We spent
some wonderful time in praise, study, fellowship, and evangelism, and we
watched two of the group be baptized.
Usually on Tuesday mornings the ministers and I would try to get together
for a "staff meeting." We would spend time in prayer and fellowship. I
spent most of this time listening because I knew that I had some extremely
beneficial and useful things to learn from these godly men. I was correct.
I learned not only from their words as they discussed different situations
within the church and how best to help the congregation in these situations,
but I also watched as they truly cared for one another which is the true
meaning of fellowship.
I realized God's calling for me to work with youth in ministry when I was 17
years old. My original thought was that I wanted to make a difference in
this world by making a difference in the lives of individuals in it. Now I
realize how backwards that statement was. I feel they have shown me how to
live my life and why through their triumphs and mistakes. I've learned
through the kids that God doesn't just command things for His pleasure, but
because He loves us and wants to see us succeed.
Just what I have learned from them. God doesn't tell us how to live our
lives because He doesn't realize how fun they are for us or because He wants
us to be miserable. He tells us because He doesn't want us to be hurt, and
He desires us to be with Him. The sooner this lesson is learned and
understood, the sooner your life will become fulfilled and purposeful.
Link to Ted Edwards Home Page