THE VISION

The Greater Morning Star Ministerial Alliance is committed to training and equipping young men and women who will take the whole gospel to this significant and diverse group.

A Program Shaped by a Vision
We read in Proverbs 29:18 that "without a vision, the people will perish". The GMSAM Ministerial Alliance seeks to develop a curriculum that is true to the biblical mandate of making disciples of our youth. With that in mind, the youth ministry curriculum must be shaped by the following imperatives:

1. Our training must be biblical. The entire youth ministry curriculum is bases on the Word of God. Our philosophy of ministry is based on the biblical model of our Lord and the Apostles. Even the particulars of training in practical matters - whether it be a lecture on how to give a youth message, how to develop a youth ministry team, or how to design a youth ministry program - must be based on biblical precepts and principles.



2. Our training must be sensitive to the age-specific learning needs and cultural diversity represented among today's youth. A key factor in successfully ministering to today's youth is to understand the unique learning requirements of the various age groups and being sensitive to the cultural diversity among them. If our message is firmly anchored in biblical truth, we may freely employ a wide variety of strategies and methods for addressing their unique characteristics and needs. The goal in determining which strategies to use should be to strictly adhere to biblical principles. The prophet Jeremiah used what we might term today as dramatic presentation or "role play" to illustrate his messages to Israel. Apostle Paul advised of the wisdom of being sensitive to others for the sake of winning them to Christ in I Corinthians 9:19-23. "I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some." (I Corinthians 9:22) We believe this approach to be the answer to all of the various cultures while we adapt the basic principles of youth ministry to their particular situation.
   
   The GMSAM Ministerial Alliance offers ministerial preparation training courses for those persons who have not yet attained age eligibility to be licensed by the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. yet have acknowledged the calling of God upon their lives for the purpose of the ministry.



3. Our training must be theologically sound. One of the major weaknesses of the church's ministry to youth through the years has been that we have not taken advantage of the benefits and insights to be gained from a thorough knowledge of the principles of God's Word. Because we know all truth is God's truth, and because information from these disciplines can inform us in our mission, we are committed to making these insights an integral part of our youth ministry training.



4. Our training must be practical. We are not content to provide youth ministry training that stays on the theoretical level. If our students are not able to use their training to actually touch the lives of children and teenagers, then it is of little value. For this reason, the practical training component should be governed by very clear directives as follows:
   
   
   1. Our instructors must be proven practitioners with a track record of ministry with students.
   
   
   
   2. Our courses will move beyond theoretical issues so that students are given training in the kinds of real-life questions that arise in the course of ministry with students (we will include lectures on topics like: personal discipleship, spiritual integrity, building a foundation based on the Word of God Scripturally, bible-based methods for dealing with conflict, use of media in ministry, organization and planning, preparing Bible studies for youth, working with parents, etc.)
   
   
   
   3. Our students will not be able to complete the Youth Ministry major without completing ten hours of Christian Education and Evangelistic/ Out Reach Ministry initiatives to include faithful participation in the following:

   †	Street Services
   †	Oak Hill Youth Ministry
   †	Young People's Bible Class
   †	General Prayer Services
   †	Sharing and Caring Initiatives
   †	Shepherd's Cove Ministry
   †	Active Sunday School Student Participation

5. There must be an emphasis on the intentional spiritual nurture of our students. The Youth Ministry program is not a youth group or a substitute for local church fellowship. However, we cannot ignore the fact that training people for ministry goes beyond information. The best ministry is born out of transformation. In short, one of the most signifcant factors in preparing our students for ministry with children and teenagers is for them to take very seriously the nurture of their own spiritual growth