I am Austin Burke, born in Bellingham Washington, raised in Lynden, Washington. Just 2 hours North of Seattle! I am the Youth Pastor of the Third CRC in Lynden!
I really LOVE what Arthur Abbott said! In my experience, I have taken students out to our local coffee shop and we just sit together. I also got to their school every week. Being present in their lives has opened the (he cares) door and that has been helpful for starting the meaningful conversations.
There is a man in my church by the name of Alvin Vandegriend. He and I have been meeting for weeks talking about payer and spiritual gifts, and one of the greatest things he told me was, "Keep track of who they are and what they do and be in prayer consistently for them. Whether they know it or not that builds a bridge between you both."
So I guess to summarize it I would say continuously be present as much as you can(school, talking at church, events they participate in) and continuously be in prayer. That has worked for me.
Posted in: How Do You Start Meaningful Conversations With Teens?
I really LOVE what Arthur Abbott said! In my experience, I have taken students out to our local coffee shop and we just sit together. I also got to their school every week. Being present in their lives has opened the (he cares) door and that has been helpful for starting the meaningful conversations.
There is a man in my church by the name of Alvin Vandegriend. He and I have been meeting for weeks talking about payer and spiritual gifts, and one of the greatest things he told me was, "Keep track of who they are and what they do and be in prayer consistently for them. Whether they know it or not that builds a bridge between you both."
So I guess to summarize it I would say continuously be present as much as you can(school, talking at church, events they participate in) and continuously be in prayer. That has worked for me.