The Vision for the gathering place

A ministry devoted to helping young girls thrive in adolescence through a living relationship with Jesus.

 

 

Can You Hear the Cry for Help?

SUICIDE is the 2nd leading cause of death in the world for those aged 15-24 years.

Without vilifying social media, we must acknowledge its negative effects on today’s youth culture. Research published in the journal Clinical Psychological Science is clear on this: the more exposure adolescents have to electronic devices and social media, the more likely they are to suffer serious depression, attempt suicide or actually take their lives.

More teenagers and young adults die from suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza, and chronic lung disease, COMBINED. (CDC YRBS Data)

Each day in our nation, there are an average of over 3,041 attempts by young people grades 9-12. If these percentages are additionally applied to grades 7 & 8, the numbers would be higher. (CDC YRBS Data)

Although more males die from suicide, females are more likely than males to have had suicidal thoughts, females experience depression at roughly 2x’s the rate of men, and females attempt suicide 3x’s as often as males. (CDC cited on SAVE.org)

The Problem

Social disconnection, alienation, loneliness, perceived burdensomeness, broken relationships, abuse, trauma, toxic thinking and negative cultural influence.

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The Spiritual Root

We live in a broken world; however, we have an enduring hope in Christ. Seeing no hope and seeking to numb pain through harmful actions or substances is rooted in IDENTITY – not knowing Christ, who we are in Him, and who we belong to.

The Solution

Creating a community – a place of spiritual regeneration, mind renewal and the cultivation of healthy and meaningful relationships that provide authentic connection, a sense of belonging and a revelation of life’s worth and purpose.

The Future Hope

Seeing young girls thrive in their adolescent years and grow into spiritually strong young women that have become secure in their identity and sense of self-worth, living into the fullness of their potential.

The Vision

Sowing

God’s Word is seed. Spiritual regeneration and true transformation will only take place as the Word of God is sown into the hearts of these young girls. (Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, and Luke 8:4-15)

Spiritual Growth, especially as it pertains to identity in Christ, is the first element to the mission and vision of The Gathering Place.

Watering

A seed must be cared for. Watering the seed of God’s Word is what will strengthen a relationship with Christ and renew the mind. (1 Peter 2:2; Romans 12:1-2) The very practical application of the Word to every day life and experience will be taught through various Bible-based curricula being offered as a classroom experience (teaching, reading, discussion).

Teaching & Training is the second element to the mission and vision of The Gathering Place.

Cultivating

Cultivating has to do with creating a healthy environment in which the seed can grow. The physical location where these girls are gathered will be a safe place where healthy relationships can be developed through the offering of practical, natural “Real Life” mentoring in the areas of running a home, budgeting, cooking, creative arts, time management, etc. Connecting older generations to younger generations through these organic relationships will provide authentic connection, meaningful relationships, a sense of belonging and will prayerfully lead to a discovery of worth and purpose.

Mentoring is the third element to the mission and vision of The Gathering Place.

Planning for the Future

God needs a voice in this generation that will rise up and raise up young ones to walk with Him – in the power of His Spirit – turning to Him instead of the bottle, turning to Him instead of the pills, turning to Him instead of the knife or the noose, instead of the drugs or the sex or the fleeting pleasures of the world. He wants to connect the wisdom of older generations and the potential of the younger generations to create purpose and meaning in the lives of BOTH generations!

Right now we are in a stage of preparation. We are preparing ourselves through prayer. You can join with us in prayer for the right way to reach young girls in our community.

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