"This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine."

In a world tainted by fear, desperation, and sin, fellowship, unity, and love seem like foreign words.  Yet lights still flicker in a darkened city. Walking past the Paulina and Sunnyside corner in the Ravenswood neighborhood of Chicago, passersby can feel the fire burning inside the Philadelphia Romanian Church of God.  This fire, fueled by the compassion and zeal that God has placed within, truly makes Philadelphia the church of brotherly love. 

Inside the walls of the beautiful architectural building, young and old can be found serving and worshiping together six days a week.  The activity brews in the church like passion bubbles in the hearts of those who long for a deeper relationship with God.  Congregation members of all ages burn with desire, but it is the church's youth who maintains that fire.

United by one goal, to worship God, Philadelphia's youth has grown and developed over the past decade.  Growth has been evident in several areas including:  fellowship, worship, and discipleship.  However, work is necessary in developing the outreach and service divisions of our ministry.

The warm and inviting atmosphere of fellowship can be felt when entering any of Philadelphia's church services, but even more so at youth gatherings.  Our youth meets several times a week, at church and outside of church.  We are growing more and more united and we have an overwhelming desire to be together in mind, body, and sprit.  Several times a year, the youth organizes special outings such as camping trips, sporting events, and picnics.  Furthermore, we try to meet weekly in small groups, at different people's houses, where we sing, study the word and elaborate on teachings.  

From humble beginnings, dry periods, and roadblocks, Philadelphia's youth ministry has come a long way.  Currently, we are undergoing a revival that started at the 2004 East Coast Youth Convention.  The convention acted as a catalyst and now the youth is 'running with the passion' God placed in out hearts starting on May 28th. 

Though our youth has always been involved in regular church activates: choir, band, worship teams/bands; we have been strengthened and refueled with desire.  Because of this, the youth has become more active in the growing number of church activities.  Most active members are involved in several activities simultaneously.  For example, someone is a member of the choir, the main worship team, and a Sunday School song leader.  Another, is in charge of the kid's choir, a band and orchestra member, as well as a worship team member.  On the other hand, there are those who are busy with school or work, but still manage to be part of one of many church activities. 

Monday nights many youths are present at the weekly prayer meeting.  Tuesday night, the majority of Philadelphia's youth is present at rehearsal for the newly formed 35th Romanian Pentecostal Convention worship choir. Wednesday night, young and old, from several Chicago land churches attend practice for the main Convention choir, while the brass band practices in the basement.  Thursday, many young people attend Bible study with a heart opened to receive the word, while "Linked" worship band meets for rehearsal in the studio and the kid's choir practices in the basement.   Friday nights, dedicated specifically to youth, our young people once again meet for a time of fellowship, worship, and learning. 

On Sunday morning, during regular church service, Philadelphia's basement is filled with songs of worship for the Sunday school worship service.  Sets are usually led by Alpha, a young worship band, whose members aged 12 through 16 are active in ministry.  Alpha has toured through several states and has led worship songs at several Christian events including Church of God's 2004 Midwest Kids'  Fest.   Furthermore, Alpha has been involved in outreach ministry through music.  For the third year in a row, they played at an intercity neighborhood block party, and this year they also took part in a community concert held in an elite Chicago land suburb. 

Besides Alpha's, Philadelphia's outreach ministry has not been too active recently.  In the past, there have been several projects, including a mission trip to Calarasi, Romania and another to South America.   Presently, youth are devoted to 'in house' projects and activities, due to several past and upcoming special events, such as the church's 30th anniversary and the two conventions hosted by Philadelphia. 

However, outreach projects are to come and it is clear that God has a definite plan for Philadelphia, as he has blessed many with his Holy Spirit.  After a month of 'staruinta' and 'binecuvantari', God has set the groundwork for evangelism. With all the events and conventions out of the way, the youth can turn its focus towards its new purpose.  For it is written, " when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere" (Acts 1:8). Due to the grace of God, many have been anointed with this power and with the help of God doors will open towards the great harvest, because “the harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few” ( Luke 10:2).  

Please pray that God uses those he has anointed and that we grow in our evangelism ministry.  Peace be with you all and please keep our youth's ministry in your prayers as if you are praying for your own, for we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. Be blessed.