The Commission on Youth Ministries praise God for yet another year spent ministering, empowering, educating, and enhancing the lives of children and teens in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

We praise God for the opportunity to serve youth in the church as well as the surrounding community by providing "family-friendly" programs, activities, and ministries that better promote a holistic view in "growing fully mature followers of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Over the past year, the Commission on Youth Ministries has worked diligently and prayerfully to enhance and design ministries that give youth an opportunity to establish a relation with Jesus and have freedom, understanding, and knowledge in serving the risen Christ.

At St. James, the youth are invited to celebrate and worship God in a way that is appealing to their generation and that promotes spiritual growth. On October7, 2001, the Youth of St. James celebrated the 2nd anniversary of St. James Youth Church.

The Youth Church is especially designed to minister to the needs of youth ages 2 - 18. In a society that puts great demands on the Christian family and young people, the Youth Church provides a sacred place where youth can go to be expressive in prayer, praise and worship.

Not only does salvation of young people take place weekly, the youth are trained to be tithers and leaders in the development of the 21st Centry "family-friendly" church.

August 2-4, 2001, the Youth of St. James AME Church traveled to Wagner College in Staten Island, NY for a spiritual yet educational Annual Youth Retreat. Young people ages 10 - 19 were introduced to college life and the importance of pursuing their education beyond high school.Workshops on love, self-worth/self-esteem, being young, saved, and sanctified facilitated great topics of discussion throughout the weekend.

In September 2001, the Youth of St. James honored grandparents in the church congregation and those in the neighboring community by hosting a breakfast and worship service in their honor. October 31, 2001, St. James hosted over two hundred young people from the local area at our annual Community "Hallelujah" Party.

Other highlights: Our Youth Bible Institute, which trains youth leaders (Acolytes, Jr. Officers, Jr. Stewardness, Jr. Ushers) and youth directors in proper worship decorum, service as well as the affairs of the church.

Parents Night Out is another major component added to the Youth Ministry this past year. On a quarterly basis, parents of youth ages 2 - 19 are given a free evening to devote themselves to a night of spiritual and social development.

The Children's Ministry Staff and Teen Ministry provide workshops on parenting in the 21st Centry and activities of fun for children.