About Us
This vision of Hope for Youth Ministries is stated clearly in its name! In our modern world, with constant streams of information coming at us from all directions, many children and young people feel overwhelmed at times and seek hope and stability in life. The Bible tells us in Psalm 71:5 ‘For You are my hope, O Lord God; You are my trust from my youth.’ It was this Bible verse that inspired our name, when Hope for Youth Ministries was established in May 2007, and it has been our foundation ever since.
The rising generation of today faces challenges and temptations that previous generations never experienced. The rise of social media, widespread materialism and celebrity culture put young people under intense pressure to look, act and behave in certain ways. Often this leads to feelings of failure, inadequacy and depression as they search for fulfilment in things of the world. The Lord Jesus Christ is the only one who can give true peace, which surpasses all understanding. He said in John 14:27 – ‘Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.’
Hope for Youth Ministries aims to present the hope of Jesus Christ to this rising generation by faithfully teaching the Bible to children and young people, many of whom have little or no knowledge about the Bible or God. The Bible says in Romans 10:14 ‘How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?’.
School Visits
Across Northern Ireland, Hope for Youth Ministries has the privilege of visiting more than 250 schools and is the largest aspect of our work. We are thankful for this opportunity, with new contacts being made all the time. The nature of our school visits varies depending on the requirements of the school. We conduct morning assemblies, 5-day clubs (60-minute slot for 5 consecutive days) and afterschool Scripture Union meetings. We also offer children’s Bible-based literature to schools on Christmas, Easter and Harvest to name a few.
Our meetings give children the opportunity to sing choruses, listen to Bible stories, and take part in a quiz on the lesson. At the end of each meeting, children are given worksheets to take home and have an opportunity to ask questions about the story or any aspect of the programme, if they so desire. Children really enjoy our programmes and teachers often testify how excited the children are when they hear we are returning to the school. If you would like us to visit your school, simply get in touch. We would be delighted to speak with you in regard to any of our programmes.
Bible Clubs & Missions
We are passionate about presenting the truth of the Bible to children and nothing brings us more joy than to see young people learn Scripture and lessons from God’s Word. Bible Fun Weeks and Children’s Missions enable us to do just that! Travelling the length and breadth of Northern Ireland, we hold these events in the evenings in mission halls, tents, barns, churches, caravan parks, etc. We put up posters and news of a Bible Fun Week spreads quickly within the local area. Most events attract between 80 and 250 children. As the children arrive, they are filled with excitement as they run from their parents’ car buses into the hall in keen anticipation of what the next 60 minutes will hold. Whilst we work hard to ensure the meetings are fun and relevant, they are highly structured with the focus at all times being on God’s Word.
Children learn a new verse of Scripture each day, which is carefully explained so they understand its meaning. Through Bible stories, children are taught lessons from God’s Word, including the way of Salvation and living the Christian life. Fun quizzes and choruses also help to teach children about the Lord and are great ways of reiterating God’s love for each individual child. At the end of the meeting, children are given worksheets to take home and are given the opportunity to ask any questions they may have about the story or Bible generally.
Probably the most exciting aspect of this work is watching children grow in their faith from one year to the next as we return to areas we previously visited. If you would like to hold a Bible Fun Week in your church, school or area, simply get in touch. We are always delighted to avail of new opportunities to share the love of God with children in this way. Why not take a moment and watch the short video presentation below which will give you some further insight into our Bible Fun Weeks and Children’s Missions.