Ministries > Youth > Crave

So, what is CRAVE?

This is the big question, right?  When I was growing up in my youth ministry, I could tell you all the amazing trips and events that we did. There were a lot! And I built some really cool relationships with leaders and friends during that time. But there was one thing that I could not figure out.  I couldn’t put two and two together and recognize that, despite all the fun things we  did and the memories that were made, I had a problem that wasn’t being fixed. A real, fundamental issue in my life.

I was completely and utterly unsatisfied with who I was and why I was here.

As a matter of fact, I could tell you all the Bible stories, but could not give you a hint of why any of those really mattered to me. I was empty, and no one could seem to show me what it meant to be filled.

CRAVE was built on my story. Ultimately, my desire is for students to find the Gospel. And not the story of some guy who came to earth, but the message of life-change on a moment-by-moment basis. The satisfaction of our souls. The definition of our identity. And the declaration of our purpose. I don’t want students to walk away from WBC with my story. I want them to walk away with His, and the amazing truth that they have a role in that story with Him.

So, how do we do it? We take a three-step approach that begins with our weekly gathering on Sunday nights, which we call Encounter. We talk about the Gospel, break into discussion groups to dig deeper and pray for one another, we eat (a lot!), and sometimes we go and get lost in corn mazes. It’s awesome! The next step is engaging with small groups, which take place outside of the walls of our church building. These groups are age- and sex-specific, where the main goal for us is that students build meaningful relationships and are discipled in their relationship with Jesus by our adult leaders (who are absolutely incredible, by the way!). And finally, we want our students to engage with their local communities with the Gospel. As our hearts are changed by Jesus, it leads us into a deeper purpose, impacting the world around us. So wherever we go, we want our students to experience what it means to be “ambassadors of reconciliation,” because that’s their calling! That’s their purpose on this planet!

So, CRAVE ministries is a community of sixth through twelfth graders who can come as they are, and learn about what their true identity and purpose is. That’s why WBC exists, and it’s our honor and privilege to join them in their faith journey.

-- Pastor David