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Student Interviews of Churches that are Using Peer Ministry #31 Interview JAN, 2000 Southern Suburb of the Twin Cities, 80% of youth are from Eagan Peer Ministry Description How many trained adult facilitators work with Peer Ministry? Three. How many youth are trained (or being trained) in Peer Ministry? Seven. How long has your church been involved in Peer Ministry? 1 year How are Peer Ministers identified and encouraged to participate? This year we hand selected fourteen youth to participate. Seven accepted our invitation and completed training. Where and at what time of day did your training take place? The first four sessions took place on a retreat and the last ten sessions took place every other Wednesday evening. After initial training how often and when, do Peer Ministers meet? The trained Peer Ministers meet monthly. What is your church’s overall goal for Peer Ministers? Our goal is for the congregation to have knowledge of the program and for the youth to develop one-on-one relationships with other youth. In the meantime, we plan to have the Peer Ministers available in a group setting for others to come for open discussion of teenage issues (1 or 2 times per month on a Sunday evening). Ministry Uses What are some of the ways that Peer Ministers have used their training? Peer Ministry is in the beginning stages within our church, and so far I have seen it being used within the youth during their daily lives. How has Peer Ministry effected the youth program? The youth and their facilitators are very excited at this point. What do you think is one of the biggest things the Peer Ministers have gained? Peer Ministers have gained close friendships, useful skills, and an awareness of people and their feelings within their lives. What stories illustrate what Peer Ministry can do? One of the trained students was able to use his training in a situation within his school. He was so pleased that he was able to draw on his knowledge and help the person in need. What challenges or frustrations have you experienced? The youth in our program knew each other very well so it was hard to keep them on task. They are a tight group and have a lot of fun together. Future Hopes and Goals What are some hopes and goals you hope to see for your Peer Ministry group? We hope to train a new group of eleventh graders each fall. Our goal that the youth form long lasting bonds with one another and create one-on-one relationships with youth in the congregation.If successful, we would like to keep the Sunday evening "rap session" going as well. Are there any words of wisdom that you may offer others who are considering beginning a Peer Ministry program? Training in groups of ten or less allows the group to become closer and keeping it very structured keeps everyone on task. |
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