TeenStreet Germany-BIH

reet is not just for teens but also for their leaders, equipping them to serve their teens well after the event has finished. At TeenStreet we are not interested in talking at the teens, telling them what to believe. Rather we attempt to talk with them, helping them to make decisions based on convictions they have truly reached themselves. We have learned that this generation needs to experience something to regard it as truth. Standing at the front and telling people what they should believe is not effective. The programme is still an important part of TeenStreet, but the people up front connect with the teens by explaining the message through stories and interaction. Of course, the experience does not end during the evening programme. It continues in various small group contexts throughout each day. We would be wasting our time motivating participants if we did not also equip them! To reflect Jesus, the teens don't need a theological degree, but they do need to be equipped with practical ways to go back into their world and live for Christ. Through programmes and workshops we help them understand and use the gifts they have been given. We are often asked whether non-Christian or nominal Christian teens can come to TeenStreet. We are really focused on building up Christians. Trying to please everybody can water down TeenStreet's effectiveness. Having said that, if there is someone who is not quite sure about Christianity, and you believe that TeenStreet would benefit him/her, we are willing to handle each person individually, talk with the leaders and seek to find the most appropriate group for him/her to join. Many young people leave the church when they leave school. We believe that one of the key reasons for this is that they do not have a faith of their own. In fact, many young people have been carrying someone else's relationship with Jesus. They have been told how to live and what Christ means to them. We seek to create an environment and communicate with the teens in such a way to help them develop their own faith and friendship with Jesus.