Stories & Articles 2008
Hope on YouTube
Whenever there is free time at TeenStreet there is so much to do! A huge variety is offered to the teenagers: cafés, a book shop, several smaller shops, stands etc. The YouTube stand is very special - Teenagers who are excited about God have the opportunity to record their testimonies.
The idea is from Clarion Samuels who is coordinator of TeenStreet Outreach. He wants to encourage young people to show that they are Christians. He says: "YouTube is full of trash. As Christians we have so much we can give because God has given us so much. With this event there shall be no more data trash added to YouTube but something very special."
Already 10 statements have been recorded and can be seen online soon. Hopefully this will be encouraging for many teens worldwide. It is a step into the right direction - to say "This is what I believe in". According to Clarion the teenagers are the bearers of hope for the future. He states: "You get a chance to say to the world: 'I believe in Jesus Christ. I have hope for my future and you can hope this as well!'"
Goodbye!
This has been an incredible week! And we have enjoyed our time together with you, hearing from and seeing God. Our lives have been changed, and we know that yours have as well.
In Deuteronomy 8:11 it says, "Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God..." This week we have seen, heard and felt God. Don't forget this! John 15:7 also says, "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you."
As you go back to your homes and schools, we encourage you to remain in Him and His love. Fill yourself with God's Word. Be careful not to forget the things He said to you this week. We also encourage you to thank God for what you've seen and felt, and be people who live thankfully.
We are praying for you! See you in Offenburg for TeenStreet 2009!
It was so embarrassing...
“It was as if I would have shut down my brain”, said Raphael. With trembling hands the teenager talks about what has caught him for the last two years: Pornography. How does a 16 year old get in contact with pornography? “On the internet.”, Raphael says. “Well, I’m surfing a lot on the internet. Once I had opened a website and then there was a pop-up window with an ad for a rather harmless porn site. And at school I listened to others talking about hardcore sites and videos and I searched for them.”
That many pornographic websites are only accessible by payment via credit card is only a weak protection. “If one searches the right way he can find free offers, as well”, Raphael states. From five minutes up to one hour per day he has spent on such sites for the last two years. His parents did not recognize it since Raphael’s trick was to “use one internet browser for emails etc. and another one for porn. And in the browsing history I always deleted the sites I had visited.” The internet is easily available and many sites are for free.
He always had a bad conscience when he visited the wrong sites. He says: “I had the feeling that I had committed the worst sin ever. I felt so embarrassed before God.” A few weeks ago Raphael reached a point where he knew that it could not go on like this anymore. After two years of porn he talked about it to his best friend who also had this problem. “It was such a relief to talk about it since I formerly thought that I was the only one with that problem. We promised each other to stop.”, Raphael says. He considers it to be like “an addiction”. The teenager says that at the moment he is on “a withdrawal phase” but cannot “manage getting rid of it without God.” Every day he prays that he will not relapse. “I really begged God to help me out of this.” His relationship to God has clearly improved and also TeenStreet 2008 has helped him by making it possible for him to talk about his problem freely and by showing him that many boys have the same problem.
At Tuesday there was the Girls&Boys Day – this caused lots of interesting talks among the boys. Since the boys’ interest was very big one M&M offered extra talks. A small survey showed: In just one out of 20 youth groups people talk about the issues of “pornography and mastrubation”. That is shocking. From those 20 young men ten admitted that pornography & co. is a problem for them. Raphael himself has planned to encourage others to talk about the problem and to help.
DJ Roly - House in God’s house...
DJ Roly Miller is The TeenStreet DJ. That’s pretty cool, since there is no rule for worship. His parents are classical singers, he’s into house music. And with this sort of music you can worship God as well. And God called DJ Roly to do that.
At the age of 18, Roly (Roland) Miller got involved in the worship team at his local church in Dublin, Ireland. After two years, he was a worship leader and at that time he also started dj-ing. Back then, his church started a night club - a place for the youth of the church to hang out and also to bring their friends.
"God wanted me to use my gifts of dj-ing", Roly says. Many people wouldn’t even consider electronic music as a worship-music, but it definately is a new dimension.
House music is a way to connect to young people, since it’s a form of music they can associate with.
DJ Roly’s heart is set on God, his faith really is inspiring. A scripture that means a lot to him is Jeremiah 29:11-12. There it says, "For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you".
The words "hope and future" are very important to Roly in these verses. He moved a lot and says that moving is a chance to let go. At one stage in his life, Roly started all over again: after studying electronical engineering and working in different jobs, he asked God about what’s next. And God always directs him in the right path.
Has DJ Roly ever thought about going in mission fields? He says, "God said to me: No, you have to serve for your people." Not only people in Third World countries need to hear about God. "People with the good jobs need God as well.", says Roly. And with Roly’s music, people like that can be reached. Furthermore Roly talks about his ambition: "I want people to feel accepted in the same space where God is."
It’s Roly’s fourth time at TeenStreet. In reference to the question how he got involved in TeenStreet, he says "My wife went to school with Josh and I’ve known Josh and Debs for many years and they asked me to come along."
In London, DJ Roly has a studio, where he composes soundtracks and other stuff.
It’s good to get a bigger perspective on what worship can mean and that there is not just one way to worship. For Roly, worship means "bowing down your heart to God" and that with a 100% focus on God without distraction. And having a perspective like that, it can mean all sorts of music and sounds. "God gives us tools and resources to connect with him", Roly says. So one can also worship God while listening to house music. "But this is not everyone’s cup of tea" says Roly with a smile. The important thing is that the music mustn’t distract you and not bring your thoughts back on the world.
Prayer is a very important part of Roly’s life. He says that God speaks to all of us, all the time.
"God’s speaking is like a radiostation. We have the choice to tune in or not."
Go check out DJ Roly's music:
rolymiller.com
ArtZone - being creative for God
The American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once said: "Art is the gift of God, and must be used unto his glory."
At TeenStreet, the ArtZone is an area, where people can spend their interaction or free time.
Six years ago, Andrew took over the arty area and started the ArtZone of TeenStreet. Since then he expanded it and now there are a variety of options, where the teenagers can express themselves, what they've heard and learned about. "It's a process to a deeper level connected to the theme." says the british guy.
For others, doing art at TeenSteet is just an act of chilling out or being quiet. Andrew says, "We provide the materials, time, space, a safe and free environment and help and the teenagers can go for it". The artist has 13 helpers - this year is the ArtZone team and ArtZone as big as it has never been before.
The ArtZone is a great place to be creative and to make use of new material. The teenagers can do a lot of different things here, e.g. sowing, textil works and sculpture. Most people choose to paint or draw. Andrew and his crew always encourage the teenagers to share and therewith exhibit what they produced. Tomorrow, connected to the Oldenburg-outreach, there's an ArtZone-exhibition at the Lamberti church (the main church in the city Oldenburg town centre). Andrew says, "I hope people will see a connection from the artworks to our theme "Blindsight".
Andrew is an artist who lives in Ireland at the moment, working as an evangelism-coordinator.
A really good experience for Andrew was a project during the Throne Room on Tuesday night. For ten minutes, during a worship song, he painted with another artist on a huge canvas. They pulled of a stencil at the end and now you can see a hand of God reaching out to someone in chains. It looks awesome. During other Throne Rooms, teenagers can be creative in the ArtZone while watching the worship on a screen. 70 to 100 pupils make us of that every night.
During the workshops in the afternoon, Andrew and his team explain new techniques. He encourages the teenagers to express themselves. He says, "We are creative people, because we're created by God." And no matter what the quality of the art work is, they put it up an exhibit it. Most people are happy to share their stuff. Andrew's motivation is "to raise teens to express themselves and to process of what they're going through."
TeenStreet Profile: Corinna Scharrenberg, CleanStreet Leader
“I always say I have the best job at TeenStreet,” says OM worker Corinna Scharrenberg—not a strange thing to hear from the upbeat and outgoing young lady. But, you might cringe when you hear what her job at TeenStreet is, and then wonder at what has kept her coming back to this job for 11 years.
Corinna is the head of the cleaning crew, fondly referred to as CleanStreet. This group of 40 volunteers at TeenStreet 2008 is responsible for maintaining the 96 showers in container facilities and 128 toilets and 79 urinals on the site.
“I know that this is the kind of work that everybody wants done, but nobody wants to do,” said Corinna. “People always think cleaning is a bad job, and nobody wants to say they were at a teenage conference with 3,400 people and cleaned toilets every day. But, we have a lot of fun.”
Corinna remembers TeenStreet 2006 when she was called out of bed at 4:30 in the morning after torrential rains flooded the service team tent and forced its inhabitants to find dryer accommodation. That year she was soaked from head to toe twice.
But, even though she’s the one people call when there’s a plugged toilet or overflowing shower, she says that it’s all worth it. “Teen Street is the most intensive, stressful, exhausting and emotionally stretching few weeks; but, it’s also the most blessed,” said Corinna. “I see the kids praying and reading the Bible, and I feel the spiritual atmosphere, and then everything I do is worth it.”
It’s been a long journey for the CleanStreet leader, and she’d tell you that in the first few years she couldn’t handle the position and responsibility. “I was young,” she said. “And I learned that as a leader I must be the most humble person. Many people say, ‘Oh you’re such a great leader; you have a great attitude.’ But, I grew with TeenStreet, and it made a lot of my life, personality and faith.
“I’ve never been a teenager at TeenStreet. I’ve always been the cleaning leader. But, last year when I had my tenth year I thought about it and realized that TeenStreet has changed my life.”
Three years ago Corinna experienced a hearing loss just before TeenStreet. On the last day it still hadn’t gotten better. She felt weak, and did not feel like the team leader her team deserved. She even went to the man in charge of TeenStreet and told him she was going to quit, that she couldn’t do it anymore. But, he wouldn’t let her, and told her just to rest.
“I said OK, I’ll try it,” Corinna remembers. “I did my best with all the preparation and communication—everything I could do from the human side—and in the end I surrendered before God. I said, ‘I’m the supervisor, but I want you to be the leader of me and the team. I give you all my responsibility and my health. I did all I can, but you have to do the rest.”
And Corinna says that God blessed it. “I realized that without Jesus we can do all we can, but it will still not work out well. We need to depend on God.” This was the moment that Corinna’s faith transformed, and how TeenStreet changed her life.
She’s the first to arrive for preparation week, and the last to leave after the event; but Corinna wouldn’t have it any other way. “I like working in the background and seeing how this all develops. I like coming into an empty hall and seeing TeenStreet grow. And I don’t like leaving.”
Prayer Day
This morning the teenagers spend one hour of “business time”. That is how the hour is called which was filled with prayers. A time in which the teenagers speak to God, listen to him and worship him. A time that is not meant for entertainment but for Him. The challenge to say: “God, I do completely concentrate on you now. You deserve my full attention.”
DJ Roly Miller from London states: “We believe that prayers can really bring changes.” 3,500 praying teenagers per day make more than 1,277,500 prayers per year. This can move things – in schools, relationships and countries.
In the NET groups the teenagers pray for each other that God may take pride, loneliness, shame etc. away from them. It is very touching to see the teenagers praying – prayers are like anchors for them since there is a huge fear that after TeenStreet everything will be like it has been before. Divorces of parents or bullying in school were issues the NET groups prayed for.
Yesterday evening the boys had prayed for the girls. The feedback was very good! The boys considered it their privilege to overtake this responsibility. Many teenagers are not used to praying but they learn that it is not a burden but a privilege to come to God with every issue.
Who’s there? The Swiss. And who exactly? It's Philipp.
That’s Philipp. Philipp lives on the ship. But Philipp is at TeenStreet this year, too.
Philipp, what do you do on a ship?
“Since September 2007 I am onboard of the Logos Hope, the new ship of OM. I have decided to go there for two years. I have got an education in IT services and on the ship I will work with computers, as well.”
What? Computers on a ship?
“Well, you must imagine the ship being a little town. 300 people are living there. We have a kitchen, a laundry, an electricity generator, a shop (‘ship shop’) and also PCs. There are over 200 computers and kilometers of network cables on the ship and my team administrates them. Everything concerning computers and cameras (webcams etc.) is our department.
Did you come to OM and the ship over TeenStreet?
“Yes. 1999 I had been at TeenStreet for the first time. I had liked it that much that I came there the next four years. At a stand I found out about the OM ships and decided that this was something I wanted to do.”
This year you work at the web team. How come?
“Onboard you meet many different people and I met Thomas from the web team and asked him whether he needed any more volunteers. And here I am.”
Is it very different to being a normal participant?
“Last year is was a coach for a NET group and it was great, too. But I find it interesting, to be able to see what is going on behind the screens this year.”
Thank you very much for the interview and ship ahoi!
I`m thankful that...
Since TeenStreet started there has been a big wall with bricks painted on it. Everyone who´s interested can write down what he`s thankful for. And every brick is filled. Let´s zoom in...
"I`m thankful that...
- ... I´m here"
- ... God has prepared a wonderful life for me"
- ... God answered my prayers"
- ... I can get to know new people"
- ... I have a great family"
- ... I have Jesus. I can´t imagine life without him"
- ... Jesus brings joy back in my life"
- ... I can be here with my best friend"
- ... I can go to school every day"
- ... I am loved"
- ... Jesus has blessed TeenStreet with his presence"
- ... Jesus is my best friend"
What a good encouragement to think about it by oneself.
Thank you for the Music
When you ask the TeenStreet-participants, "What`s your favourite part of the day?," most of them say "Throne Room". That's the daily evening event that all teenagers are part of. They listen to a short message and to a lot of music. It's the worship time.
Not many of us know that the band that leads worship every night, is called "The world news band". But that's not really important. It simply is `the` TeenStreet band. And it's only a TeenStreet band. They sound as if they're together on stage throughout the whole year, but they're not. They only meet two days before TeenStreet starts and then practice a lot. And as we know, they're really good.
I spoke to Elisa Krijgsman, one of the band-leaders. Elisa is from Ede, a town in the middle of the Netherlands. He joined the TeenStreet band in 1993 with his wife Reni. The other TeenStreet-singer Marcel asked him in 1992 to join the band.
The dutch guy is a professional musician, also in real life. Elisa studied jazz- and pop-music and together with Reni (she's a primary teacher) he works in the Christian pop-music industry. He leads many worship concerts and worship weekends.
I want to know, if the famous TeenStreet-singer and guitarist is famous in the Netherlands. "More and more" says Elisa.
Of course, Elisa has always been into music, but what made him get into worship?
"I always had a heart for worship music. And many years ago I got more and more involved in the worship ministry of my church. I realized that worship music has more depth than other music.", says Elisa.
For me and many others, the TeenStreet-worship is a very special time of the day and seems to be so "perfect". How do they choose the songs? "We try to introduce our own songs but also play songs everyone knows and enjoys. We also choose the songs in a way, that they're connected to the theme. For example on Sunday night we had a moment of quietness, a time of focussing, but also moments of party.", says Elisa. Furthermore he tells me that the band was suprised when they played "Hosanna", that it matched the "Blindsight"-theme so perfectly. At one stage, the song says, "open my eyes to things unseen".
Now for some people this modern worship-style is something totally new. Elisa says, it's good to be open. He believes that there's no good, middle or bad way to worship. One should ask himself `What is my idea for expressing my love to God? Do I want to go further than that? Or do I want to stick to the most familiar thing for me?`. Elisa recommends to be open for new dimensions.
But Elisa knows that at a place of worship must not be a room for fear.
And guess what Elisa does in his spare time? Music. What a surprise. He plays in a big band.
Elisa loves jazz and hopes that there's gonna be more jazzy Christian music in the future.
Since there is a lot of cool Christian music out there, I wanna know, what kinda music of that is Elisa's favourite. He says: "I really love the ballads by Hillsong. For example, 'Power of your love' is a great song. But I also like Tim Hughes, Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin and many more."
Worship for Elisa is "a confirmation of his intimate love-relationship to God. It's getting to know who I am through the eyes of God."
What does "worship" mean? - explanation by Elisa Krijgsman
Worship is your whole life. It's praise and thanksgiving. In greek, to worship, means: lying down and kissing someone's feet. It's being a loving servant. Worship is a act of humbleness and really loving God. What is important, that one sings the worship songs not to the world, but to God!
If you wanna check out Elisa's worship-ministry: www.come2worship.nl
Girls&Boys Day
Today is Girls&Boys Day. That means: Girls and boys have separate programs since some topics are easier to discuss when no boys respectively girls are around. When the arena is crowded with girls the theme is “Humanity + –“. With the example of a rocker Debs explains how difficult it is sometimes to find the correct balance. It is difficult to say: “God, I really want to give you everything.“ We are full of pride, selfish and often carry inner hurts.
Did you ever hear an inner voice saying: “You are not good enough”? Every day is a plus and a minus. There are things in our life we need to let go off.
In Philippians 3:9 (NIV) it is written: “and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ- the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.” God wants to surround us completely and take away our negative thoughts about ourselves. Especially for girls negative this thinking is a huge problem. Media influences us. For example we see fashion models and think: ‘I want to look like that.’ And we think: ‘I am too fat. I am not pretty enough. I have the wrong character. No one wants me. Would it matter to anybody if I was not in this world?’ Such thoughts are sent by Satan. But God wants to have you as you are. God wants you to be YOU. In many Bible verses God makes clear that He loves YOU and that YOU are precious for him.
Another important verse from the Bible for the girls theme is written in Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV): “The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”
Besides the self-perception Debs talked about purity. God wants us to live in purity. We must make circa 500 decisions a day. And these decisions have consequences. Also when they concern our own body. Sex means more than ‘skin on skin’. The Holy Bible tells us that two humans become one. The body is designed to become one with ONE person. In the marriage. That forces us to make a decision. Debs and the other girls on stage call on the teenagers to let God see into and through their own body, as well. This requires strength of character.
“So please God help us to let go off things. Things which prevent you from becoming the person God has planned you to be. Things that we did or that were done to us.” Debs says. All girls get onto the stage and take a cup filled with stones. Their pour it out as a sign that they let go. The goal: Finding balance. And that does only work with Jesus. He wants that we are secure and free and complete in Him.
An exciting encounter
At TeenStreet you meet lots of interesting people. For example Jeanette from Utah, USA.
She did not come to Germany only for TeenStreet: In November 2005 she had come to Bavaria with her husband and their two children because he works for the US army. He is a pilot and works in the security and anti-terrorism department. At the moment Jeanette and her family live in Heidelberg.
The 40 years old has an interesting story. Grown up in a Mormon family she turned very rebellious with becoming a teenager and trusted noone except herself. She was highly desperate that her father had left the family. After finishing highschool Jeanette looked for a job and was very proud that she has managed it independently: Paying the rent, financing the car etc. At the age of 19 she got married and lead a party life...
To sum things up one can say that Jeanette like many others had to hit rock bottom where her whole life did no longer make any sense to her. She got divorced and other things went the wrong way, too. She asked God: "How could this have happened?" Never before the American has heard anything about rebirth. She prayed that God may help her and some days later she recognised that she had got incredible power and new life energy. She did not know where this has come from. Jeanette learned to put trust in God.
She was very close to her mother and always told her everything. After she had died in a bad traffic accident Jeanette realized that she could bring everything to God. That he listens like her mother did. Jeanette looked for a new job in a church. There she also met her new husband. And with him she is in Germany now.
The TeenStreet translators Chriss and Melanie Kleinloh have invited Jeanette to be at TeenStreet. For one year they have prayed that she shall come. And now she is her with her daughter who as a teenager is part of a NET-group. Jeanette herself volunteers in the service team and works at the cafés. She is especially impressed how the teens have come together from everywhere in the world to worship God.
Blindsight - Absolute Surrender
This morning at the "Blindsight" event the teens were encouraged to devote their whole life to God.
Horses that pull coaches have to wear blinders. Why? To see what lies in front of them and to not be disturbed. Paul wore blinders, as well. All other things lost their importance. Paul was that determined to go one way - following Jesus. God wants absolute surrender from us. The world would consider this a bad thing to do but God considers it good thing.When we totally concentrate on Jesus, everything else fades away. Jesus is a precious treasure. Jesus wants to be in this world with us. To become 100 per cent involved with Him, we must let go of everything we cling to. Clinging to God alone is enough.
Josh gave a practical example of what it means to let go. He swung on ropes from one side of the stage to the other. He had to let go of the first rope and grip the other one in order to arrive safely on the other side.
We must let go to receive the treasure which lies in front of us. But how do you do that practically?
We must let go off things that hinder us. Things like attitudes, actions and habits. And we must do that daily. This is not easy. But Jesus wants to help us. It is more important know what Jesus thinks about you than to worry about what others think about you. Leah shared that she has to distance herself from things her friends are involved in because her aim is to live God's will.
Josh said he will leave behind his friends and family when he joins one of the OM ships for the next two years. This was not an easy decision for him. But he wants to do whatever God has planned for him.
The Bible verse to memorize today is from Philippians 3:8 (NIV): "What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ". In giving up habits and focusing completely on Jesus we find freedom and life. Why should you let go off anything if it does not pay off? But the gratest treasure ever is definitely worth it. Ask God what it is that keeps you away from Him. Because God says: "I am enough for you."
"I say a little prayer for you..." – Praying at TeenStreet
Probably the quietest room at TeenStreet is the Prayer Room. Many people like sitting in the room – just to enjoy the silence, to pray for others or to lreceive prayer for themselves. Everyone can pray in the Prayer Room in creative ways: You can write your thoughts on the wall, you can pray by playing games or in a completely different way. It is good to experience that there are no rules for praying.
Edwin is from the Netherlands and spends much time in the Prayer Room and the Throne Room (which is the daily evening worship event) to pray with teenagers
He says that it is important for the teens to know that God does not only work at TeenStreet but also throughout the whole year.
Edwin tells us about a very special situation he had once experienced: “Last year I had prayed with a young man that God may change his image of women and send him a girlfriend. Yesterday I met him again and he said: ‘You will not believe it but God has changed me. I have another attitude towards women and do even have a girlfriend.’”
At TeenStreet there are prayers all around the clock - with people praying through the night - that the week shall be a good one and that the teens may be given strength. Edwin says that one group of boys have always been very loud. In 2007 he started to pray at night in the boys’ accommodation that they would fall asleep quietly and quickly. And it worked!
Many teens find praying difficult. Edwin gives a hint: Be more creative when it comes to praying. One idea: “Take two chairs. Sit on one. The other one is for God. Just talk with him as if a friend would sit beside you.”
Interview with Christian Pilz
How did I get involved with TeenStreet?
When I was 31, I had been doing a course with OM in the UK, and one of the other participants was the lady who is now the swedish Home Office Rep.I didn’t know anything about TeenStreet, and she told me “Oh, you have to go to TeenStreet, that’s something for you! That’s so great!” We were together there for three weeks, and she kept pushing. So in the end I said “OK, I’ll go there once to see it, and that’s it...” – to kind of make her shut up. But, well, she was right! I went there and I was amazed, and that was why I have kept coming back. I was there as a coach the first time. That was an incredible experience. I love very much being with the teenagers! That was 9 years ago. In the meantime I have been M&M, kitchen staff, I’ve been the Home Rep. for Austria, I’ve been responsible for a stand in the Interaction Zone, building the main stage, an all kinds of different things!
The Peoples Coordinator
I am a carpenter by trade, but at TeenStreet last year, I was the Assistant Peoples Coordinator, and this year I am the Peoples Coordinator; head of the TeenStreet Peoples Team.As the Peoples Coordinator I take care of all the people who work directly with the teenagers; coaches, M’n’Ms, Prayer Team, Counselling Team and the Home Of. Rep.s. I see that they get everything they need and make it as easy as possible for them. The People Team is also linking together the different departments within TeenStreet. In the body of Christ, we are the soft parts between the bones, which take care that the bones don’t hurt each other. Like the oil that makes the machinery run smoothly.
The Structure
All teenagers on TeenStreet are divided into small groups of 6, and one coach. The coach reports and is mentored by M’n’Ms, who above them have the Home Of. Rep., who is responsible for all the people from his or her country. So the People Team actually take care, in the first place, of the Hom Of. Rep.s; Get to know them, find out how they are doing, talking to them, being with them, and finding out how things are going within their country group. We are 10-11 people. 3 of them are just there for coach support. If the coaches have questions, or whatever they need, or they feel insecure about what they have to do, they can go there. That’s where we get in contact with the coaches directly. If they have any questions, that’s how we can react and provide more help, also for the next year; We get a better picture ofhow to train, the Home Of. Rep.s, M’n’Ms and coaches.
On the plus side
The greatest part of the job is, that it’s all about people. I love to be with people, talk with them, get to know them. And I love that it’s international! All kinds of different people and cultures, that is the most exciting thing for me. TeenStreet is so great, because you see what you are working for all year around; All year around you have meetings via Skype or just email and you don’t see people. And all of a sudden you are here; With 3.000 people or more. And you see all these small groups of teenagers scattered all over the place, reading their Bibles, praying together, being in contact with God. That’s one of the most amazing things! Then you know what you have been working for the whole year.
On the minus side
It’s sometimes a little bit frustrating, that if you talk to people and ask them “What do you know about the People Team?”, the only thing they can think of is boundaries; CLS – the Community Lifestyle Statement. If you break rules, you have to deal with the People Team. But we only have 1 person on our team who are responsible for boundaries! And we have 10 people in our team that are pro-active, supporting people; Coach Support, Prayer Team, Counselling Team. It’s amazing: 10 to 1, and people only know about the one thing! It#s frustrating, but it’s fine, because we’re trying to change that.
The Future
I would love to see TeenStreet growing in the area of providing resources not just for this one week, but for all the 52 weeks we have within the year. To reach church leaders – the responsible people in churches – make them really grasp the idea and see, that this is not just a week here, but something we can use throughout the whole year, to help our teenagers have this real friendship with Jesus. I would really like to see more local churches adopt TeenStreet, and that we find ways to communicate it rightly, and go more locally. Like having a TeenStreet on tour in Europe. Many different countries do TeenStreet reunions with 100-200 people. Maybe we could do something in different countries, and the maybe have one big thing, like TeenStreet, right here. But to just to do something teenagers can get strength out of the whole year, and not just for one week, like so many other camps; They go home after one week, really motivated, thinking everything has changed. And then they fall back into everyday life after 2 weeks, one month, in november you know, when the sky gets grey in Europe, and it gets colder. The relationship with God gets colder as well, because TeenStreet is long gone. I wish we could find ways to keep especially the leaders on track. I don’t think it is our task to be behind every single teenager, and keep them on track, but to help their leaders to know how they can be there for their teenagers in an active way. That’s something I would like to see for the future!
