Conference Offers Christ to Urban Youth

Pastor Jeffrey Hough opened the first morning of the annual Urban Youth Conference with a rousing, roof-rattling request.

Standing in the front of the sanctuary at Princeton Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Mich., Hough asked God to be present to the young people who traveled there from inner-city areas across the United States. He asked God to shine his light, leading youth to a life of hope and wholeness.

"Show us, Father, that you are the waymaker," said Hough, who was serving as the master of ceremonies for the Christian Reformed Home Missions-sponsored event. Hough is pastor of Angel Community Church in Muskegon, Mich. "What must we do to be part of your kingdom? We ask that Jesus' name be lifted up in this place. We want to raise the roof of this place in praise."

About 140 youth, accompanied by pastors and youth workers from a range of CRC congregations, attended the three-day event. Some of the young people are members of CRC congregations, but many go to other churches or don’t attend church.

Young people from Princeton CRC welcomed the conference participants with hugs and smiles and posters pasted in various areas around the building. Other Princeton members made and served snacks.

"We want to make the young people feel comfortable," said Charlene Ezinga, a member of Princeton and assistant to Rev. Bob Price, team leader of urban ministries for CRHM. "The goal of the conference is to reach young people, to teach them to spread the gospel."

Among those attending the conference, said Price, were a number of young men who have never known their fathers and who have a hard time dealing with authority. In some ways, said Price, they have been raised by mothers who model for them a kind of matriarchal theology of love and acceptance.

"They really have no total concept of God," said Price, adding that it often takes him years to make inroads into the lives of young men who have not known their fathers.

Young women living in homes without fathers often seek male love and acceptance by being sexually active in their teens, said Price.

Using passages from the gospel of John, the conference provided a series of Bible studies and workshops that addressed such issues as what it means to be born again, how to live as mature adults, and the implications of living in a fatherless home. There also were times for prayer and praise.

"We want to deal with relevant topics," said Rev. Melvin Jackson, who is pastor of Grace Unlimited CRC in Los Angeles, Calif. "These young people respond to love. They are open to Christianity."