From the Editor

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 a lost generation. In order to do this we must be like the “men of Issachar who understood the times and knew what to do” (I Chronicles 12:32).

I have two questions for you:

1. Do you understand the times? If you understand the times you know that many of our young people are exiting the church because they have been underutilized and undervalued. They are choosing counterfeit solutions to life over Christ the Lord, the gang lifestyle over the youth group, and compromise over character. Indirectly, by their shortsightedness and rebellion, they are daring us to show them a better way. Not a religious way, but a righteous way. Not a traditional way, but a relevant way. Not an entertainment driven way, but a radical way.

2. Do you know what to do? Matthew 22:37-39 tells us what our philosophy of ministry needs to be. Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” These two commandments summarize the “what” of our ministry both individually and corporately. How we are to do this is slated for us in Ephesians 4:12 which says that He has called and gifted us as leaders, “to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” God has called us to make disciples, to attach their affections more to Him than to ourselves, to equip them with skills and then mobilize them to advance God’s Kingdom in the hearts of their generation and beyond. In order to fulfill this Biblical mandate, we are going to have to be C.H.R.I.S.T.L.I.K.E.:

CALL youth to a cause which is both worthy of living and dying for.
PRODUCE WORLD CHANGERS

HELP youth to form accountable relationships through cell groups, small groups or discipleship groups.
PRODUCE DISCIPLES

RELEASE youth to do the work of the ministry.
PRODUCE MINISTERS

INVOLVE youth in missions and service opportunities.
PRODUCE SERVANTS

SERVE youth by equipping them to lead.
PRODUCE LEADERS

TEACH youth to feed themselves spiritually.
PRODUCE LIFELONG CHRISTIANS

LEAD youth to the throne of God.
PRODUCE WORSHIPPERS

INFLUENCE youth through relationships.
PRODUCE LOVERS OF GOD AND PEOPLE

KEEP youth in church through creative ministry- “new wineskin” approaches.
PRODUCE CREATIVE CHRISTIANS

ENCOURAGE youth through the ministry of affirmation.
PRODUCE HEALED HELPERS

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