Online Youth Ministry Resources
Greetings Youth Ministry friend! With the current unprecedented times of our country and world due to Covid-19, we know you might be feeling a little uncertain about a lot of things including ways to stay connected with your youth ministry. Now more than ever, connecting with students and families online will be important. We want you to know that we are praying for you and with you as you navigate this uncertain time.
We are confident that the Lord will use you to accomplish much for the kingdom as you work to minister in new ways. Please feel free to reach out the the Oklahoma Baptists Youth Ministry team at any time with questions, concerns, and specific ways that we can support, encourage, and equip you.
We would love to pray for you and with you. Please email any prayer requests to youth@oklahomabaptists.org so that our team can pray for you. We love you and we are cheering you on!
Please click the button below to be directed to our Oklahoma Baptists Coronavirus response page. This page has helpful information for your church, the most up to date list of cancellations and postponed events, and will help you stay connected to the ways we are advancing the Gospel together in this time.
There are so many resources and tools out there that it might be a little overwhelming. We have compiled a list of resources or tools that have been produced by some great ministry partners. We encourage you to become a part of our Oklahoma Youth Ministry Network. This is a great tool to keep you connected with other youth pastors, learn new strategies for connecting with your people, and access tools that you may not have known about! As you navigate what resources and tools will work best for your ministry context, we hope that this list will be helpful to give you ideas on what all is out there!
SPIRITUAL GROWTH RESOURCES
The Discovery is designed for a person that has just come to the realization that God has called them to vocational ministry leadership. The call to ministry can be both exciting and intimidating.
The Pursuit is a free online resource for new believers. This is a great tool to share with new believers during this time!
The Devo to End All Devos is a nine month daily devotional designed to help students learn and develop good habits for studying the bible. This would be a great time to encourage your students to start!
DiscipleMe is a semester-long discipleship initiative designed to develop students in Christ-likeness, helping them grow into committed disciples ready to lead other students to do the same.
EVANGELISM OUTREACH RESOURCES
Free curriculum from Dare2Share to teach students how to share the Gospel online.
GOODNEWS Gospel Conversation Strategy: Help your students learn how to have Gospel conversations from take off to touch down.
Get inspiration and ideas from the Social Media Outreach Breakout from the Youth Evangelism Conference.
A great tool to give your teens an easy way to share the Gospel online, right now!
Download the free ebook “4 Tactics to Advance the Gospel on Social Media” here.
Here is a YouTube playlist with 5 short videos to help students start Gospel conversations.
Join the GOSTUDENTS ONLINE MISSION PROJECT! It is a week-long digital/home mission project where we will engage peers with the Gospel. This is a great tool to use anytime!
Check out Dare2Share’s “You Can’t Quarantine the Gospel,” channel on YouTube to access several video resources to use during this time.
ONLINE MINISTRY HELPS
ONLINE MEETING TIPS
Some Online Meetup Best Practices to keep in mind:
- Remember you are working with minors, make sure they have parental permission to be online and engaging this way.
- Always have at least two adults in the meeting.
- If you are hosting the meeting, do not just “leave” at the end, make sure to end the meeting, so students are not left alone without the supervision you have communicated will be there.
Community, encouragement, and collaboration count! Stay connected with other youth leaders and church leaders on the OKYM Network Facebook Group. Request permission today!
The Youth Ministry Booster Ultimate Online Guide has tons of ways to keep you connected! From free resources to soul care to youth pastor meet up opportunities, there is plenty here to choose from!
The LifeWay Students Hub offers some great resources and helps.
Oklahoma Baptists have created a Quick Reference Guide for Livestreaming your service.
Oklahoma Baptists have created a video tutorial for Livestreaming your service.
Zoom is a great FREE tool for Small Groups to stay connected. Youth Ministry Booster has created a free tutorial on using Zoom for small groups.
Download Youth Ministry has a great list of resources to help you navigate Covid-19. They are also offering a free Gold membership for 60 days + other perks.
YM360 is offering a Youth Group At Home teaching stream as well as several other great resources and a discount.
The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma has an online giving platform for your church to get started with Online Giving. Check it out here!
As you move your ministry online, here are two great resources with how-to and safety tips for using Zoom from Amy-Jo Girarder. Amy-Jo is a Lifeway author, and Girls Minister and Students Missions Coordinator for Brentwood Baptist Church in Brentwood, TN.
DEVOTIONALS
Thanks to Doug Burrows from FBC Fitzhugh & Dillon Chase for these Devos! Great content to use with your group!
