South West Youth Ministries (SWYM) is hosting a number of online open days with the first one on Wednesday, July 14 aimed at those interested in working with children and young people.

SWYM are keen to support those interested in exploring this ministry as demand for youth and children’s workers grows.

Paul Friend, SWYM Director, said: “We see almost daily adverts for a new youth or children’s worker somewhere in the South West. It is brilliant that so many churches are actively looking to invest in reaching and discipling this generation especially at this critical moment when so many have disengaged but it does raise some issues.”

Paul says this demand comes at the same time as recent research which shows that in the last 10 years the amount of people training in youth and children’s work has halved. “That is scary. My fear is that if we don’t do something about this quickly we are going to have a crisis in youth and children’s ministry in the UK as we haven’t invested in training and raising up the next generation of leaders,” says Paul.

With Covid affecting most events and opportunities to promote youth ministry, it is even more important this year that churches are a voice of encouragement speaking into people’s lives to help them to take the step of faith to step into full time ministry. This is true not just for 18-25’s but people of all ages who God might be calling to step into the gap.

For anyone interested in the virtual open days, more information is available here: https://swym.org.uk/event/july-open-day/

SWYM have put together a free video for churches to share to raise awareness of the need for youth and children’s workers. View it here: