To start the summer-kickoff meeting, students in Locally Grown played a game, "Get to Know You." |
Story and photos by Sarah Ladd
University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media
Locally Grown, a local youth ministry for sixth to 12th
graders in Midway and surrounding communities, held its summer kickoff Wednesday evening.
Now in its second year of full operation, Locally Grown is a cooperative ministry seeking to unite churches of different denominations in
youth outreach. It got its start in August 2015, when several local churches
united over their youth and their common faith. According to the program’s
website, they seek to supplement existing youth ministries, support churches
that lack youth programming, and engage youth who don’t attend church.
The name “Locally Grown” was inspired by the idea that young
people’s surrounding community molds them into who they become.
Lily Savage, a student in Locally Grown, said the ministry gave her a positive support system. “I was really lonely before,” she said.
Another student, Willa Michel, said “Locally Grown has been super-beneficial in my life. It helps me connect with God in ways I wouldn’t have before.”
Bailey Spicer said that when she joined Locally Grown, she didn’t know what an impact it would have on her life. “It helps guide me through my issues,” she said, “and I can take the positivity I learn here and share it with others.”
The second game, "Race of Truth," had students advance when any of a series of statements applied to them. |
Ratliff said the nine months that it took the vision of
Locally Grown to be developed “was like birthing a child.” He said it provides
a great opportunity for children like his daughter to grow up with trusting
adults outside their families and to learn to love themselves and others.
“That’s the whole message of Christ’s love,” he said.
Sara and Lee Busick, graphic designers in Midway, co-pastor the ministry. “We want it to be very real,” she said.
The ministry operates out of Midway Presbyterian Church,
with other financial support from the Midway United Methodist Church, across
the street. (The city gave it $500 last spring.) However, Busick said the ministry seeks to introduce the youth to
other denominations and pastors at other churches in the area.
The weekly
meetings often include pastors from other churches who are there to be in the
students’ lives and serve as role models. Busick said this is an opportunity to
let the students understand other denominations and practices. The ministry
makes a point to visit other churches to let their students learn from other
ministries.
“The goal is to be uniting, not divisive,” Busick said. “The
focus is not on denominations. It’s on Jesus. My end goal is that when they
walk out as 18-year-olds, they know how to pursue faith.”
During Wednesday’s kickoff, the students played a “Get to Know You” game that allowed them to share fun facts about themselves,
participated in a “Race of Truth,” advancing when any of a series of statements
applied to them (examples: “I have been to Indiana;” or “My hair is brown”)
and gathered for a short prayer.
During the prayer time, Lee Busick discussed the
challenges that face youth today and told them that Locally Grown would help
them through the challenges by helping them foster a relationship with God.
“Life is never going to be perfect,” he told them, and his wife added that
Locally Grown would be there for them and let them know each week that they are
loved.
Locally Grown members meet Wednesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church, and then walk to other churches or public areas for meetings. For information, see http://www.lgmidway.com.
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