The leadership of churches in Kenya are generally made up of an older generation, and the number of youth actively involved in these churches is on the decline. As the term “youth” in Kenya generally refers to people between the ages of 15 and 35, this trend poses a significant problem to the present and future of the church. ROCKbridge Ministries, in response to this need, created the Youth Department in 2014 for the purpose of enhancing and advancing the collective Youth Ministry of churches in the Nakuru area.
The ROCKbridge Youth Department, under the leadership of Jacob Wainaina, seeks to unite churches in the objective of reaching youth for Christ and discipling them to become leaders in their communities. To carry out this mission, the Youth Department operates in 3 key areas:
Advocacy and Capacitiy Building
In many Kenyan churches, the idea of Youth Ministry is young and highly underdeveloped. Many churches do not have a pastor or department dedicated to youth at all, and those individuals who assume the role of leading youth often have little or no training on how to do so.
The Advocacy and Capacity Building area of ROCKbridge Youth works to solve these problems. First, Jacob meets with church leaders to communicate the need and importance of youth ministry and to help develop strategies on how these needs may be met.
In a group known as Club 2:42, Jacob meets regularly with youth leaders from many churches and denominations to help them develop the right skills, attitudes, and capacity to reach the youth in their communities. The leaders come together to share in discipleship, training, and discussion with a community of other leaders who can support and encourage one another.
ROCKbridge Youth also actively disciples high schoolers and recent graduates through a program known as Transformers. Here, Jacob mentors young men and women who are preparing for college or work to help them find direction in life, be prepared for success, and rise up as strong Christian leaders in their communities.
Networking
In many Kenyan churches, the idea of Youth Ministry is young and highly underdeveloped. Many churches do not have a pastor or department dedicated to youth at all, and those individuals who assume the role of leading youth often have little or no training on how to do so.
The Advocacy and Capacity Building area of ROCKbridge Youth works to solve these problems. First, Jacob meets with church leaders to communicate the need and importance of youth ministry and to help develop strategies on how these needs may be met.
In a group known as Club 2:42, Jacob meets regularly with youth leaders from many churches and denominations to help them develop the right skills, attitudes, and capacity to reach the youth in their communities. The leaders come together to share in discipleship, training, and discussion with a community of other leaders who can support and encourage one another.
ROCKbridge Youth also actively disciples high schoolers and recent graduates through a program known as Transformers. Here, Jacob mentors young men and women who are preparing for college or work to help them find direction in life, be prepared for success, and rise up as strong Christian leaders in their communities.
Mobilization
The majority of youth that need Christ are not going to be found in church; ROCKbridge Youth also seeks to mobilize churches to reach out beyond their walls and reach youth where they are. The Adopt-a-School Program encourages every church to identify a school within its community and become involved and invested there. These churches work with the students by meeting them in school, discipling them, sharing the Gospel and Biblical teaching, and walking through life with the students whether or not they come to church.
The Youth Department also has two major projects in development to further enable Youth Ministry in Nakuru: a resource center and a retreat center. To learn more about these projects, visit our Upcoming Projects page!
