BY MICHAEL A. MATA All vital youth ministry is relational in nature. However, the most effective programs have “points of entry” that affect or touch upon the developmental needs of youth. That is, if you address the particular needs of youth you are going to have them, more often than not, respond positively to your…

BY BENNY PEREZ Throughout my years of youth ministry I have had the opportunity to see God grow two local church youth ministries. I write this article not as an expert on growth, but as one who is still learning and growing as well. However, I have seen the Lord grow one ministry from 18…

BY ALEXIE M. TORRES When residents of the Soundview section of the Bronx decided that their community had suffered enough from the growing drug trade in their neighborhood, nearly 400 of them rallied in October of 1992 for an anti-drug march, organized and led by the youth group of Holy Cross Church. The marchers, representing…

BY LUCAS LEYS Hay veces que cada uno de nosotros necesitamos experimentar la autoridad de Dios a través de alguien de carne y hueso. Es cierto que es dificil encontrar la persona adecuada para hacerlo pero lo cierto es que cada pastor o lider debería ser alguien tan confiable como para contarle hasta los pecados…

BY NOEL CASTELLANOS One of the most recognizable images in our culture today are the golden arches at McDonald’s. This is no mistake, as this multi-billion dollar corporation spends millions to convince us that we need a Big Mac attack! Now, if they can’t keep us parents coming back for the food, they will target…

SHOUT is striving to be a resource for Latino youth leaders who are tired of youth ministry as usual and who desire to take youth ministry to the next level. In fact, H.Y.M.N. (Hispanic Youth Ministry Network) is a network of Latino leaders who are visionary transformational leaders, striving to reclaim what some have called…

BY HIRAM AND ELIZABETH RIOS Divorce and separation are rampant. Statistics show that over half of marriages today end in divorce. Unfortunately, these statistics are just as high for evangelicals as the rest of the population. For those of us in ministry, we know how easily the demands of ministry can take their toll on…

BY CHARLIE AND BETTY RIVERA It was a beautiful sunny day and we had just arrived home from Sunday morning service. Our plans were to spend Sunday afternoon together in our apartment eating sandwiches, watching a little TV, and then cozying up to take a short nap before returning to church for the evening service.…

BY JACOB ARANZA After a high school assembly in Wichita, Kansas, a young attractive girl walked up to me after everyone else had left the gym. “Jacob,” she said, “I have to tell you something I have never told anyone before.” Looking around to be sure no one was in sight she whispered, “I’m gay.”…

BY DINA GONZALEZ “Love” is the word engraved on a ring that I wear on my hand. I cannot tell you how many rings I have given away to some of the youth in my youth group, friends, or young people who have chosen to vow to a life a sexual purity until marriage. But…