The question came from one of the leaders gathered for the annual Youth Ministry Executive Committee (YMEC) meeting in May.
For the past 21 years the National Network of Youth Ministries has hosted presidents and executives of national youth ministries for an annual meeting to interact, sharpen and build relationships.
One of those leaders called to the attention of the group: "Where would youth ministry be without the Network to bring us together?"
The rhetorical question was a high compliment, but it's a question still worth answering. With all the various ministries that need support, what does the Network do that is unique? The Network is dedicated to the reaching of EVERY teenager for Christ, but what specifically is NNYM's role in accomplishing that?
Community Action Plans
Yes, our vision is national, but our plan is local. There are over 1,200 community chapters of the Network representing every state.
Our calling is to network those who care for teenagers in cities like yours by building what we call "Communities of Hope."
This is done as each local Network develops a "Community Action Plan" – a roadmap for creating community change, specifying what will be done, who will do it, and how it will be done. The end result is a ministry to, and through, teenagers in every corner of our communities, so that they become a better place and so that the gospel of Christ is communicated effectively to each person.