The Vision of the Barn

If you are looking at this blog and are thinking, "Um... I don't have any idea what this Barn thing is!" I understand and will take this time to fill you in: the Barn is a ministry passionate about reaching out to the Pocono area through discipling, serving, and connecting. This takes many forms:

Discipleship happens when we step into the lives of the students. Here we intentionally pursue students: we get to know their likes and dislikes, their gifts and talents, the heart and ultimately their faith. We look at where the student is at and then strive to bring them closer, through one-on-one mentorship relationships, to Jesus Christ and to each other.

Service takes place not only in our serving the students - and teaching them how to serve - but in how we can serve the area churches and the parents of these students. We at the Barn believe that the will of God is accomplished through his church and we have a Vision to see the many facets of the church (whether a 'church' or para-church ministry) come together under the banner of Christ. We exist not as competition against the local church, but as a servant that longs to aid the local church.

Connection comes about when both discipleship and service come together. It is an extension of the church body working in fellowship, side by side, to create a better community. As we teach students what it looks like to be a disciple and follower of Jesus Christ, and as we teach them to serve, through our word and our example connection begins to happen in their lives. Connection happens when we stop asking, "Who can connect with me?" and start asking, "Who can we connect, serve, and love?" As we at the Barn work along side the students and churches in the area we long to see a deeper connection, joined together by Christ Jesus our Lord, come together.

With these things intigrated into the ministry we have seen God at work in great ways. This past summer the Barn has been open for the first time for the months of June and July, and it has been exciting to see the Lord work. We've been able to see the Barn generate an amazing oppurtionity for the students of this local area to grow abundantly in their faith, and for the area churches begin to band together for the cause of Christ. We have had a consistant group of 20-30 kids, from many various churches, come out each week. Aside from numbers though we have begun to see real progress in the hearts of these students to really reach out to their community.

On September 10th we will be having our opening Barn for the 2009-2010 school year. Please keep this in prayer. Not simply that we will get a good number of students out, but that the students who come will be passionate about knowing Christ and reaching the community. Also, tentatively on October 6th will be having a 'How can we Serve?' Pastors and Parents BBQ to find out ways we can serve in the community, and to cast the Vision of the Barn to the individuals who come out. Please be praying daily for these two dates. It is my first year on staff with the Barn and with Touch the World Youth Ministries, and I'm excited to see what the Lord is able to do through this ministry.

Please be praying, and thank you for being a part of the ministry of the Barn.

In Christ Jesus,
Jeremiah Dowling