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Ministry ReportSERVING THE CHURCH IN ITS EFFORTS TO REACH AND EQUIP YOUTH FOR CHRIST2023
A Message from the Executive DirectorLOOKING UP & GOING WEST: I recently attended a Christian conference where a pastor from Nigeria named Kenneth Mbugua was beautifully (and convincingly) teaching from Exodus 14. When he arrived at v. 14, he read these words: “When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly.” After reading it, he turned to those in attendance and said,“God is there with them in the form of a pillar, a pillar cloud by day and re by night. BUT when they lift their eyes, what do they behold? Pharaoh and his armies…They are NOT seeing the fact that their God is with them. His presence has not forsaken them, even in this moment. They are not seeing that their God is the sovereign Lord over all things.”It was a palpable, powerful moment in the sermon as Pastor Mbugua was calling us to look up and x our eyes not on our fears, but on the Lord, our Father, who loves us and is committed to our deliverance and our future.As RYM prayerfully considers expanding of our ministry footprint further West, I confess that I have fears! Will churches come? How will the logistics work out? Will this be a ‘misre’? These are all questions which we have sought to answer and have certainly prayed through. But as is always the case in seeking to follow the Lord – both in the time of the Exodus and today – at some point we must look up and trust that the Lord is with us. He will lead us, and we will seek to trust Him – come what may!Brent Corbin, Executive Director, RYMPictured above: Brent and Sarah Corbin and their four daughters: Nora, Katherine, Mary and Margaret2
Three Avenues of Ministry MISSION & MOTIVATIONReformed Youth Ministries exists to Serve the Church in its Eorts to Reach and Equip Youth for Christ.RYM has been such a blessing for our church – both for the students and the leaders. The summer Conferences are the highlights of our summer ministry. Our students will come home from those with not only deeper community amongst themselves, but also deeper and more sincere questions about God and longing for closeness with God after the week of teaching and preaching from people outside of our church. Beyond conferences, RYM’s Resources make our small group bible studies possible, and the annual Youth Leader Training and the network of leaders it provides are invaluable resources for the health of my life and my ministry sta here at the church. James Boswell Redeemer Presbyterian San Antonio, TXConferencesTrainingResources3
CONFERENCESRYM is dedicated to serving the Church through providing Word-driven, Gospel-focused teaching in the midst of tremendous fellowship and fun at its conferences.In the summer of 2023…Lord-willing, in 2024 RYM will launch a new conference on the West Coast in its eorts to serve churches in the west that have longed to bring students to an RYM Summer Conference. Please join RYM in praying toward that end!Number of students and leaders RYM hosted at our 2 middle school and 4 high school conferences located in CO, FL, MD, and TX4,700+Average number of hours students listened to the preaching and teaching of God’s Word and discussed it in small groups with their peers, during their week at RYM’s Summer Conference 17Number of college students that joined RYM’s Summer Internship Program and were discipled by the RYM Sta and trained in servant leadership throughout the summer at our conferences18Number of churches from 27 states representing 11 denominations that attended one or more of our conferences1764
Since my introduction to RYM 10 years ago, I can say with certainty that it is the highlight of our summer. My children refuse to miss under any circumstances, and I absolutely love being a chaperone. To see the sta and interns pour into the youth on their level and dig deep into the Word is truly remarkable. Throw in the beach, competitions and enough free time to allow for fun and self-reection makes for a perfect combination. It’s always an incredible week. God uses RYM to launch a full year of fruitful youth ministry at our church. If we can get a student to RYM then we feel like we can disciple them more fruitfully throughout the year. It is a week that unites our students and leaders around the faithfulness of God.Brandi GoodmanParent & Conference Chaperone5
TRAININGRYM is committed to providing a theological, philosophical, and methodological foundation upon which churches and youth leaders can build a healthy and sustainable ministry to youth and families.2023 Event Stats175 attendees from 24 states and 10 unique denominations.YLT NASHVILLE101 attendees from 17 states and 11 unique denominations NORTHEAST YOUTH MINISTRY SUMMITYouth Leader Training EventsYouth Ministry can be a lonely and challenging place to serve the Lord, even in the midst of so much fun and excitement. Youth Leader Training events are annual gatherings that exists to equip, connect, and encourage men and women serving in youth ministry. At these events, RYM seeks to serve the church by coming alongside youth leaders in an eort to rejuvenate and replenish them through the Gospel of Jesus, for the good work that is ahead. Content during these times is split between theological, practical, and philosophical.The Church Internship Program is a two-year apprenticeship in a partnering local church for men and women considering a call to a life of ministry. Local churches gain additional and aordable help for their ministry to youth and the signicant role of shaping the heart and mind of future church leadership. In addition, this program helps to enrich ministry to youth and families in the Church by raising up new leaders who are experienced, intentionally educated, and connected to a network of churches and leaders – promoting health and sustainability. Church Internship Program6
YLT was a great week and one that I left feeling very encouraged by. I am new to leading a ministry and I needed this time to both be poured into AND to connect with others that are doing what I am doing. My prayer group time was really great. Sitting down and sharing our joys and struggles and just praying for one another was one of the more encouraging times of the week.Dylan MannYouth MinisterYLT Cohorts is a year-round training program that grows youth leaders in their relationship and walk with the Lord Jesus, while teaching them a biblically and theologically rich philosophy of ministry. In addition, the program provides accountability and encouragement that comes from being connected to a cohort of like-minded youth ministry leaders.YLT Cohorts 7
RYM is committed to serving by generating Scripture-saturated resources. From Bible Studies to Podcasts to Worship albums, RYM assists youth workers and parents as they reach and equip the next generation of believers.RESOURCESThe Local Youth Worker is a weekly podcast run by RYM’s Director of Resources, Dr. John Perritt. He and his podcast team meet with experts and theologians all over the US (and beyond) to discuss hot topics and have meaningful conversations about youth ministry and youth culture. In 2023, the Local Youth Worker was downloaded over 81,000 times in over 50 countries.PodcastRYM Worship is led by RYM’s Director of Conferences, Joe Deegan. Adding to the collection of four full-length albums, in 2023, “Always Faithful” was released as a new single and was played at all six conferences throughout the summer. RYM Worship is available on Apple Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to music!Worship MusicWritten for students, the Track Series addresses a host of topics in three primary areas: Doctrine, Culture, and the Christian Life. Track’s booklets are theologically rich, yet accessible. They seek to engage and challenge the student without dumbing things down. In 2023, RYM released 3 new Titles in this series: Social Media, Apologetics, and Dating, Sex, and MarriageTrack SeriesRYM also writes and produces free Bible Studies for churches to use in their ministry to youth-aged students. This year, RYM released two new studies, Grace 101 and Fruit of the Spirit, both of which can be used in large or small group settings or for individual study. Bible Studies8
RYM BY THE NUMBERS$874,829Given/Pledged Donations$172,503Unfunded Donations$2,071,463ProgrammingIncomeRevenue to Fund Operating BudgetExpenses as a Percentage of Overall 2023 Ministry ExpensesI am so thankful for all the work RYM does to provide resources to youth workers and parents. They truly have a heart for serving the local church and equipping them to love and serve teenagers. I couldn’t do what I do as a youth director without them!Katie Schneider, Youth Director Highview Evangelical Presbyterian Church Dousman, WI9
BOARD OF DIRECTORSLee Tyner MemberJennifer VanLoh MemberLanier Wood MemberLinda Oliver MemberPreston Sartelle MemberLes Newsom ChairDavid Duren Vice-ChairJohn Marino TreasurerJohn Trapp SecretaryAshley Clark MemberCraig Dunlap MemberBen Melchers MemberCyril Chavis, Jr.MemberKurt Cooper MemberBrent Corbin Member10
JOIN US IN MINISTRYRYM is grateful for your investment in the next generation of the Church! Would you consider nancially partnering with RYM by investing in one or more of the following areas:Visit www.rym.org/give or scan the QR code to make a secure, encrypted donation via ACH or credit card.Donations can also be made via check, through stock donation or from a foundation. For more information, please email donations@rym.org to learn how you can get started. RYM is a registered 501(c)(3) non-prot organization, and your donations are tax-deductible to the full extent permitted by law.How to GiveConferences: Donations directed to Conferences will be used to support RYM’s Director of Conferences and the recruiting, training and discipling of the RYM Summer Interns. Training: Donations directed to Training will be used to support RYM’s Director of Training and the underwriting of both national training events in the spring. Resources: Donations directed to Resources will be used to support RYM’s Director of Resources as well as producing, editing, marketing and publishing high-quality Bible studies, books, podcasts and worship music. General Fund: Donations directed to the General Fund will be used to help RYM’s overall ministry eorts across all three avenues of ministry, as well as to help oset G&A expenses. Vision Fund: Donations directed to the Vision Fund will be used to help fund RYM’s 3yr Strategic Plan including Conferences, Training and Resource expansion, as well as development hiring. 11
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