World Changers Church International is passionate about uplifting the younger generation. Our youth ministry, World Changers Youth Experience, ministers the Word and community to youth in sixth through twelfth grades via Junior High and Senior High programs. WCYE seeks to embody simplicity and a culture of care, both tenets of the church, for young participants. In addition to hosting a variety of outreach events aimed toward younger audiences and their families, WCCI’s goal is to provide uniquely helpful spaces for a generation often misunderstood or ignored.

Youth ministry should remain a priority for all churches with a population of children and teenagers. However, it can be difficult for a church to form and then maintain a youth group for numerous reasons. One reason stems from the inability to provide for the needs of both female and male members. It was with this in mind that senior youth pastors Anthony and Constance Adams cultivated the Lion’s Den and Pretty Girls Rock groups.

Pastor Anthony directs Lion’s Den, the boys’ mentoring group. In 1989, he was a young person at WCCI. “I gained a real family consisting of brothers, uncles, cousins, and even father figures, who provided a high level of accountability for me,” he stated. This makeshift “village” provided a foundation he could build his life on. Pastor Anthony noted with regret that this mentality is largely missing from the contemporary world.

The goal of the Lion’s Den is to uplift these boys not only spiritually, but practically, and create a warm replica the village Pastor Anthony grew up in. He has devised ways to improve the lives of his young congregation by bringing parables to life. “If I’m teaching on change,” he said, “I’ll also have someone from the Transportation Department come over and teach them [the boys of Lion’s Den] to change a tire, to change oil in a car, or to tie a tie. We infuse spiritual application and life application. One highlight of 2023 was when all of the young men did mock job interviews.” In addition to ministering the Word, Pastor Anthony initiates conversations that go beyond the surface and aims to give the young men a voice during service. The 2024 goal for the Lion’s Den is to continue teaching life lessons and sponsor team-building events that nurture an atmosphere of brotherhood and accountability.

Pastor Constance overseas Pretty Girls Rock, the mentoring group for girls. Pretty Girls Rock offers girls several critical benefits. The topics are always authentic and relevant, and the connection between the older women volunteers and young girls is consistent too. “I remember how I admired the older women in this ministry when I was growing up,” Pastor Constance said. She recalls how some of these women offered her support and encouragement; the seeds of their care still impact her now as an adult. However, she also can identify what was missing, and both memories inform her desire to give back and remain a positive fixture. She hopes the sense of community created will carry on into womanhood for the young girls in the mentoring group.

Pretty Girls Rock starts by addressing identity but also discusses hygiene, friendships, fashion, and relationships. “Everything they do should flow from the place of feeling confident, feeling purposeful, and feeling loved by God,” Constance stated. “Oftentimes, young girls have esteem issues, breakdowns in relationships, or an overwhelming desire to be in a relationship, and we feel that all of that stems from a lack of identity. There isn’t anything wrong with wanting to be in a relationship, but it can morph into other issues. As a result, we try to affirm who they are and that they were created with purpose.”

Pretty Girls Rock teaches the basics of cleanliness with DIY small groups and live demonstrations that discuss things like how to care for different skin types. This, along with the Fall Fashion Show, has yielded an opportunity for girls to be validated. The fashion show required that girls show their individual style and bring what they already had in their closet to the runway. In 2024, genuine fun and sisterhood is on the horizon. Pastor Constance stated, “We have amazing women that serve alongside the staff, and we believe in giving them a chance to create an experience that reaches the girls.” They also plan to host field trips, special guest speakers, and more group activities.

“Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck” (Proverbs 1:8, 9, NIV).

            Pastors Constance and Anthony are passionate about providing instruction and teaching to the youth population at WCCI. They invite volunteers who are passionate about young people to help support the mission of Lion’s Den and Pretty Girls Rock. Connect with them via the WCYE Jr. High YouTube page or the WCYE Senior High YouTube page as well as on Instagram (@worldchangersye).