“We are learning how to pool our resources together so that we can have a better program for the kids” said Rev. Sandy Johnson. Ice cream social at St. Andrew’s in Boulder City.
Boulder City UMC
Understanding that church is not just the people inside the building, the people of Boulder City UMC have reached out to their neighbors and have been very successful in starting new ministries both in and out of their regular gathering place.
Sometimes the needs of the local congregation mirror the needs of the neighboring community. In this case, Boulder City UMC has a small number of youth within its membership. In order to provide a thriving Christian community of peers, Boulder City United Methodist Church partnered with the St. Andrew Catholic Community, St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, and Grace Community to offer a combined youth program to promote leadership, fellowship, and service for students from grades six-twelve. Just like Boulder City UMC, these other churches had a small number of youth and they believe there is strength in numbers. The first meeting of this combined youth program was an ice cream social on September 29, 2013 and was open to parents and youth interested in participating regardless of their denominational faith. Upcoming events will be planned according to what the youth are interested in doing.
Rev. Sandy Johnson said, “I want this to be something that is beneficial to the kids, beneficial to the community and not your run-of-the-mill youth group. I want to teach Christian principles through actions, not through Bible studies.”
Boulder City UMC is trying new things in new ways in order to be vital in its community.
Watch for upcoming news about a developing outdoor prayer service and healing Reiki gathering for the bighorn sheep of the area that are known to be infected with viral pneumonia. For more information about either new ministry idea, contact Rev. Sandy Johnson at (702) 293-7240.
