Following one of the most essential declarations regarding the identity of God for the people of Israel, there is an imperative command that continues to be relevant today. In Deuteronomy 6:6-7, NKJV, God gives a special task to the families, specifically to the adults, “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.”
God designed an intergenerational way of life for His people. Every time that Israel gathered for special occasions, we can see all the generations present. “All of you stand today before the Lord your God: your leaders and your tribes and your elders and your officers, all the men of Israel, your little ones and your wives …,” Deuteronomy 29:10-11 NKJV. God expects all the generations among His people to have intentional, meaningful and consistent interactions.
Intergenerational ministry intentionally brings people from different generations together to learn, serve, worship and share as they live out their calling to be the body of Christ.
Club ministries like Adventurers, Pathfinders and Master Guides are crucial in fostering intergenerational connections within the Seventh-day Adventist Church. These ministries provide a platform for different generations to intentionally interact, learn, develop skills, build meaningful mentor-mentee relationships and grow spiritually. The impact of these ministries is profound, contributing to the health and growth of our churches.
As preparations are underway for the Believe the Promise International Pathfinder Camporee, thousands of pastors, elders, youth, young adults, parents and grandparents are working together in ministry. This is the beauty of club ministries; they not only enrich the members’ spiritual and social lives but also provide a deep sense of community fueled by intergenerational collaboration.
God always intended for His people to be intergenerational. It is evident in the Bible that generations were not meant to be left alone and separated as individual boats sailing in the sea. Churches today must invest their resources in initiatives like club ministries as an intergenerational integration to expand the kingdom of God here on earth.
See you at Gillette!
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By Christian Ponciano, Youth & Club Ministries director for the Texas Conference.
