Zach Fleming

Zach Fleming

Zach Fleming is a Free Methodist elder and the director of FM:Infuse and FMYC 2022. He resides with his family in McPherson, Kansas, where he serves as the campus pastor at Central Christian College of Kansas.

By Zach Fleming

A recent Christianity Today article proclaimed that — two years into the COVID-19 pandemic — Generation Z (born between 1997–2012) is feeling depressed, anxious, stressed and lonely. A lot of these feelings stem from the reality that this global pandemic has caused Gen Z to miss “entire developmental markers and moments, formative and singular events that in many cases cannot be easily made up for or replaced. And often, these losses are coupled and magnified by a loss of support systems, the kind that would normally help them move forward in times of uncertainty or growth.”

Those of us who work closely with this generation don’t need a CT article to tell us these things (though it helps). We experience it daily. We see the mental health crisis amidst a generation that already struggles to find belonging and form relationships.  

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“Feelings of depression and loneliness will be met with daily reminders that we are all created, loved, valued and called to be a chosen people and a royal priesthood.”

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These are the kinds of realities that the average youth workers are facing as they prepare to bring their student ministries to the Free Methodist Youth Conference (FMYC) on June 27. Free Methodist teenagers from across the country will gather in Fort Collins, Colorado, for a week spent focusing on what it means to be created in the Imago Dei. Feelings of depression and loneliness will be met with daily reminders that we are all created, loved, valued and called to be a chosen people and a royal priesthood.

As the person privileged to lead and direct FMYC, when I read things like the CT article, I’m reminded of just how important experiences like FMYC are. FMYC gives opportunity for churches and youth ministries to build community. Whether during a van or bus ride across the country, in a Colorado State University dorm room, or worshipping together each morning and evening, FMYC has a unique ability to help to foster deeper friendships and relationships.

What teenagers are seeking right now (more than anything else) is a deep sense of belonging and meaningful relationships. I believe that FMYC is uniquely positioned to be an avenue for these things. Youth workers are invited to bring their student ministries to an event that is fully programmed for them. Worship, workshops, devotional material and even a service project are all already created. All churches must do is show up and bring their students.

Because FMYC is fully programmed, it lets youth workers simply be present with their students. While at FMYC, youth workers don’t have to juggle being relational with their students while also preparing curriculum and content. That’s all taken care of for them! We have worked hard to give students what they need most right now — space and time to be seen and heard by the youth workers who are invested in their lives.

FMYC is also designed to help participants see that not only are they valued and loved as part of God’s family, but they are also part of the larger Free Methodist family. This event is an opportunity for teenagers to see that they are connected to a global movement of Free Methodists, bringing hope through the gospel of Jesus to the world around them! This is made even more impactful during FMYC as we serve alongside ICCM and the Set Free Movement.

Members of the “loneliest generation” will gather next week in Fort Collins, and together we will be reminded that because of Jesus, COVID is not the end of our story. Because of resurrection, we focus on the reality that death gives way to life.

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“Pray that these teens would leave with a newfound sense of purpose and passion!”

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My hope is that you would join me in prayer. Pray that in some way FMYC would be a space that would help young people to regain their footing. Pray that we could make space to grieve what’s been lost but also be reminded that death doesn’t have the final word.

And pray that, through focusing on the truth, our identity is rooted in who Jesus is. Pray that these teens would leave with a newfound sense of purpose and passion! +

 

Zach Fleming

Zach Fleming

Zach Fleming is a Free Methodist elder and the director of FM:Infuse and FMYC 2022. He resides with his family in McPherson, Kansas, where he serves as the campus pastor at Central Christian College of Kansas.