 Come out to PNC Park on Saturday, June 22 for the seventh annual Faith Night and root for the Pirates as they take on the San Diego Padres at 4:05 p.m.Following the game, you'll relocate to sections 1-13 and 101-115* along the first base line to hear manager Clint Hurdle and your favorite Pirates players and coaches share their personal experiences with how their faith has impacted both their lives and their careers in baseball specifically.
Additional ticket price information:
*Exact sections may change as more sections are added to accommodate more people. You will receive postgame relocation instructions prior to the event. Article reprinted from https://www.mlb.com/pirates/tickets/specials/faith-night
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 Surf City is a series of week long high-energy camping experiences at Grace Adventures Camp in Mears, Michigan sponsored by the Pittsburgh Kids Foundation. Each summer, Surf City offers 1,000 middle school students the opportunity to get out of the city, make new friends, swim, wave run, tube, climb sand dunes, enjoy a really big lake, and most importantly, examine faith in Jesus Christ. Thousands of kids from across the country have experienced the most significant week of their lives at Surf City. There are 3 weeks of camp this summer. Camp 1 - July 21-26 Camp 2 - July 28 - August 2 Camp 3 - August 4-9 Learn more at www.pkfcamps.org or watch the promo video below!  The mission of the UNALTERED Tour is to “Lead students into the fullness of life.” We believe that obedience to God’s design leads to human flourishing. Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32) We are empowering a generation to know truth and experience freedom and flourishing through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Today’s students are anxious, broken and confused. They are shaping their identity in likes, comments, affirmation, gender, sexuality and more. This search for truth has left many who are coping and hoping for a better life but doubting that it’s possible. The UNALTERED Tour proclaims God’s design for love, sex and life and inspires teens to live with integrity and influence. We exist to raise awareness of our culture’s brokenness, present the hope that is in Jesus Christ and reveal God’s design which leads to fullness of life. Our team of 12 young adults authentically share their struggles and successes, their joys and their pain through a one-night conference of authentic testimonies, engaging performances and dynamic worship.
UNALTERED is more than an event – it’s a lifestyle and a movement rooted in the Gospel. Our team strives to model, proclaim and equip to their peers the mandate to “set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” (1 Tim 4:12) As such, our message challenges students to embrace the 5 Anchors of living unaltered: Speak Life. Live with Purpose. Love Selflessly. Trust God. Pursue Purity. The Unaltered Tour will be in the Pittsburgh region on March 21, March 22, March 24, and March 27th. For all the location details, promo video, ticket prices and more go to www.unalteredtour.com/tour-schedule. Get more info at www.unalteredtour.com OR contact [email protected] or 412-424-2419. Reprinted from The Unaltered Tour info PDF.  New Youth Ministry Resource Focuses on Relationship Education
Sewickley, PA - Nationally, Planned Parenthood is the largest sex education provider in public school systems. Let that sink in for a moment. The nation’s largest abortion-provider is going into schools and teaching students how to have “safe, healthy sex,” and what their options are if they encounter an unwanted pregnancy or STD. In essence, they meet the culture where it’s at. They support students in making decisions that developmentally they aren’t yet able to make, creating potential damage that will last for the rest of their lives. “Generation Z” already believes that Christianity is a religion that has too many rules, many about sex. In fact, they’ve disconnected sex and relationships so much so that the majority aren’t terribly interested in sex itself – porn is safer to them. To counter Planned Parenthood’s efforts and the cultural narrative, we are excited to announce the official release of a culturally-relevant, Gospel-centered youth ministry resource called Abundant Life: You Were Made for More! Development of Abundant Life: You Were Made for More began after Anglicans for Life, and Sammie Franks*, AFL’s Coordinator of Ministry Outreach, recognized the need to equip youth leaders, engage teenagers, and partner with parents on the issue of relationship education. This new resource covers topics like healthy relationships, sexuality, dating, and decision-making, pornography addiction, identity, social media usage, loneliness, depression, and suicide - all resting on the ultimate redemption found only in Jesus. The author was inspired to create this resource for youth leaders after her own experience in youth ministry; Sammie believes wholeheartedly that when teenagers know what they are worth and whose they are, they will be more inclined to live for Jesus – following His commandments and walking in His ways. So, she worked to develop a comprehensive curriculum that helps to guide them in that commitment. The web-based series has 4 modules made up of 12 teachings, complete with large-group presentations, marketing graphics, supplemental resources, and small group questions. This is not an easy, popular, or effortless battle - but it is a necessary one. Author of the curriculum, Sammie Franks, says this: “Statistically, the worst thing our culture does for young people is to water down sex education. We misunderstand teenagers when we assume that they are just immature, physically and emotionally, in how they think about relationships. Beneath the physiological realities, resides a deep, human desire for connection. We were made for relationship. But we have to recognize that ultimate intimacy comes in our relationship with God. When we fail to help young people navigate how sex and relationships fit into the broader category of life, we are failing the God who created relationship to be a deep, bountiful gift for us.” Bishop John Guernsey commends this initiative to youth directors, parents, and anyone who is investing in the lives teenagers, saying: “Abundant Life: You Were Made for More has a powerful message that God wants to communicate with the youth in our churches. The idea that we must discover who God created us to be and, more importantly, believe and trust in Him as our foundation before we dive into relationships with others is revolutionary in today’s culture. We live in a society that has foolishly redefined “love” to be selfish, temporary, and contingent on feelings. That isn’t love. When we get back to who God is, and who we are because of Him, that definition of love can be transformed.” Taylor, a 21 year old, who has participated in the Abundant Life teaching said, "Not only did this open my eyes to the real definition of purity that the Lord calls us to, but for the first time I understood the very real, tangible impact of past relationships on my future marriage. After hearing the message in Abundant Life, it confirmed the love that the Lord has for me, and how I need Him if I'm ever going to have a relationship with someone else." Founded 40 years ago, Anglicans for Life is the only Anglican organization dedicated to educating and equipping the Church to advocate for life - from conception until natural death. Anglicans for Life has backed this initiative after seeing the value in teaching students about who they are, emphasizing their identity, and weaving that into their relationships. To find out more about Abundant Life: You Were Made for More, call 412-749-0455 or visit the web site www.YouWereMadeforMore.org. --------------------------------- *Sammie Franks is a volunteer youth leader at St. Phillips in Moon Township and First Presbyterian in Waynesburg.  How does it happen that we start out in ministry with passion and joy, and at some point down the road we find ourselves on automatic pilot, going through the motions, maybe feeling like we've lost that "first love"? Join youth pastors from around the city of Pittsburgh on February 1 as we welcome David “Duffy” Robbins to the PKN Meeting stage to share how we can nurture and enjoy the dance of ministry.
Duffy is currently the Professor of Christian Ministries at Grove City College. He’s a youth ministry veteran bringing over forty years of experience to the table. In addition to teaching at Grove City, Duffy speaks around the world to students and youth workers. Monthly PKN Meetings exist to bring youth workers from all over the city together for a time of worship, encouragement, and a meal. PKN meets at the Smith Brothers building next to PNC Park - 116 Federal Street - on the 4th floor. We hope that you can join us! Parking: Park in the West General Robinson St. lot across from PNC Park, and tell the attendant that you're there for the PKN meeting. You'll get a discounted rate of $3.00 (cash only, must be in by 10:00 am) LET US KNOW YOU ARE COMING!  Calling all youth leaders to bring all their teenagers to Winter Jam!
Reposted from www.GregStier.org Posted by Greg Stier on Jan 4, 2019 9:28:38 AM Find me on: Facebook Twitter In just a week the notorious Zane Black and yours truly will be hitting the road with Winter Jam. Crazy good artists like Newsboys United, Hollyn, Mandisa, Rend Collective, Ledger, Danny Gokey, Newsong and many others, will light up the stage with their amazing sets and God-glorifying, Jesus-honoring, Spirit-fueled music. Don't worry, Zane and I won't be singing (on stage anyway), but one of us will be in each city for two very specific purposes. And this gets to the heart of why I'm calling all youth leaders to bring all their teenagers to Winter Jam this year! 1. The Gospel will be given clearly! One of the things I love about Winter Jam is that it is run by, what I love to call "Gospel Guys." In the Christian music industry I've often experienced the opposite. Too many tours, festivals and events are all about the money, money, money and not the ministry, ministry, ministry. But the men who lead Winter Jam are all about the Gospel being given to everyone who shows up at the arena. Sure they have to charge a little (a suggested donation of $15/person) but the reason these men are doing Winter Jam is because they want to see the Lord glorified, the lost justified and the devil horrified. Again, they are Gospel guys. Zane and I are Gospel guys too. We have been traveling together for the last 14 years doing Dare 2 Share conferences, Lead THE Cause events and, most recently, Dare 2 Share Live. And at every event we do, we make it our goal to lay out the Gospel as clearly as possible (Colossians 4:4.) As George Whitfield once said, "Many can preach the Gospel better, but no one can preach a better Gospel." In each city of the Winter Jam Tour one of us will give the gospel to the thousands upon thousands in attendance and an opportunity for those who say "yes" to Jesus to respond publicly. Again, we're both sticklers when it comes to making sure the Gospel is clear and that the invitation is compelling (and non-manipulative.) So bring all your teens. Bring the saved, unsaved, apathetic and pathetic :) Our prayer is that the unbelievers will believe and that the believers will be encouraged! But there's another reason to bring all your teens to Winter Jam. 2. A 48 Hour Challenge will be given strategically. Everyone attending Winter Jam this tour will be challenged to share their faith with someone God puts on their heart. They'll be challenged to do this in the next 48 hours after attending Winter Jam. Why 48 hours? Because studies show that if you don't do what you've been equipped to do within 48 hours you'll never do it! Why 48 hours? Because Christians are notorious for hearing the Word and not putting it into practice! When I met with the leaders of Winter Jam a year or so ago, I encouraged them to think of the "evangelist's segment" in the lineup as a time to give the Gospel and challenge every believer in the room to give the Gospel. And they fully agreed! That's why we at Dare 2 Share are honored to work together with Winter Jam to mobilize hundreds of thousands of believers in 44 cities to, not only gather and "jam" to the music during the event but to scatter and share the Gospel afterward. We believe that those who attend Winter Jam this year will be energized and mobilized to gospelize this nation for Christ. Think of an army that numbers in the hundreds of thousands being unleashed to share the Gospel back in their spheres of influence! It could lead to revival! Zane and I will won't just be challenging the audience to share the Gospel, we will be giving them a simple tool to do it! That's why you need to bring ALL YOUR TEENAGERS to Winter Jam this year! For some of you that means a road trip. For others, that means a short trip. But don't wait for Winter Jam to share your faith. Go ahead and download our free faith-sharing app right now and mobilize your teenagers to share the Gospel right away. Then have them bring the friends they are telling about Jesus to Winter Jam...and we will all have a party with a purpose together! Pray with us and for us as we travel to 44 cities starting next week. Winter Jam is an amazing tour with amazing artists (and two run-of-the-mill preachers who don't have much going for them except the power of the Gospel of Christ...which is more than enough!) We can't wait to see you and all your teens at Winter Jam! WINTER JAM IS FEBRUARY 15th AT PPG PAINTS ARENA IN PITTSBURGH! 
Local youth pastors had the opportunity to see an advanced screening of the movie in mid-August. Here's what some of them said about it -
"As someone who has been in ministry for 11 years, I've never watched a movie so relevant and captivating. This movie shows what life is really like in a day of a Christian teenager who is trying to figure out their faith. I'm Not Ashamed is a movie that will reach this generation to love those who are different and to not be ashamed of the Gospel. The life depicted of Rachel Scott challenged me as a youth leader to chase after the students who haven't been to youth group for awhile and to encourage those who are in the trenches of public school daily. I highly recommend this movie for students because I know their walk will be challenged. I want to encourage parents to watch the movie with their students so a discussion can happen." - Sheena M. Abraham, Student Administrator, Word of Life Church "This is a Christian movie that has the excellence that is expected in our culture today. I liked the honest depiction of Rachel's life. It is important to be authentic to unbelievers." - Michael Cooper, youth pastor, Concord United Methodist Church "It's amazing to see what one life can do! The story was real." - Michael Kane, Teen World Ministries "The movie was a great depiction of the ups and downs of our walk with God. I hope students can see through this how one person can make a difference." - Matt Coyne, youth pastor, New Stanton Church "It is a great story about how one person can be a light through pain and darkness. It shows how God's unbelievable grace, love, and light shine through everything!" - Jamie Knopf, youth pastor, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church "Amazing!" - Dave Helmstadter, youth pastor, Christian Life Assembly of God, Trafford  The week of June 20-25, 2016 was something special - youth pastors from Washington, PA planned a mission trip together to their home town! MISSION WASHINGTON was five days of serving, worshiping, playing, eating and sharing the Message of God’s love. Several youth groups from the city came together and then divided into our teams and went out into the community where they built, planted, cleaned, raked, ministered, related, and prayed. They also helped with a community VBS. After working they also ate dinner together, had a time for fun and worship along with awesome speaking, and time to debrief. Watch this instagram video to get a small feel for what it was all about. If you'd like to see the youth ministries in your town do something like this, please contact Don Nixon, Aaron Miller, or Brian Greenleaf and ask them about what they did.
 I recently came across this quote that I read 16 years ago, but I think it still is true today...
"Nothing has contributed as greatly to the pursuit of the Great Commission over the past 300 than youth ministry. The reason is simple: youth ministry is effective. An overwhelming majority of those who enter into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ do so before they leave their teen years. Couple this well-established fact with this trend: the youthfulness of the world’s population is ever increasing. These factors alone should cause every church and youth group to prioritize and expand their efforts to reach youth with the Good News of Jesus Christ." -- Mike King, Millenial Leap: Launching a Strategic Citywide Youth Ministry Model for the 21st Century In the past, when I've gotten discouraged about working this students, this quote has encouraged me and I'm thankful I came across it again. For all of us in youth ministry, what we do matters in the plan of God for reaching the world! I'm also grateful that Mark Matlock and Greg Stier have also recently reaffirmed that value of youth ministry to the church and the kingdom of God (see here and here). YOUTH WORKERS, keep going, keep serving, keep teaching, keep loving teenagers and helping them love God!
Ed Glover, president and founder of Urban Impact Foundation, is a former youth pastor who has spent the last 30 years reaching kids and families on the north side of Pittsburgh. Ed wants to invite youth pastors in the Pittsburgh region to join him in tackling a huge issue - fatherlessness. Please watch this video...
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