It is our hope that during the Jr. MYF years (grades 6-8), youth will grow in their faith and relationship with God (faith); explore what it means to live out one's faith (discipleship); and come to feel that they are an important part of the AMC family (community).

Specifically, in the area of faith, we hope that Jr. MYFers will:

• come to know that they are loved and valued by God
• learn about the Biblical faith story
• be exposed to key concepts of the Anabaptist faith (believer's baptism, non-violence, discipleship)
• grow in their relationship with Jesus

Specifically, in the area of discipleship, we hope that Jr. MYFers will:

• discover what God's love looks like when it is lived out
• begin to make connections between faith and relevant issues in their lives
• have opportunity to participate in service to others
• feel that they have gifts to offer in the building of God's kingdom

Specifically, in the area of community, we hope that Jr. MYFers will:

• feel valued and involved in the AMC community
• grow in their care for each other
• find Jr. MYF to be a safe and loving place for them to express themselves

LIFE QUEST

AMC's youth mentoring program is comprised of the “Share-A-Life,” “Life Quest,” and “Life Planning” programs. “Life Quest” is designed for Jr. MYF youth (grades 6-8).

The purpose of AMC's mentoring program (at all age levels) is “for adults in the community of faith to walk side by side with their youth, helping them be and become unique expressions of God's love in the world” (Lavon Welty, Side by Side: Mentoring Guide for congregational Youth Ministry, Faith and Life Press, 1988).

The focus of the “Life Quest” program is one-on-one relationships between youth and their partners, as well as several planned group activities. Partners are encouraged to connect on their own through monthly (or bimonthly) activities that they plan together.