Featured Preteen Ministry

November Spotlight: Elevate
Leader: Pastor Sean Sweet
Rocklin, CA

Tell us about your preteen ministry.

The name is Elevate and it consists of 4th/5th graders. Our church is Sunset Christian Center in Rocklin, California and we typically have 70-80 preteens each week.

You recently upgraded your room.

Briefly describe how it has helped you more effectively reach preteens.

When 4th/5th grade kids walk in, they are interested in finding out what this place is all about. It’s so much more welcoming than our previous space, where preteens (4th grade boys especially) would walk in, look around, and leave before service even started. This new space demonstrates to preteens:

(a) They matter enough for people to make an investment in them
(b) We believe in the importance of what we are doing.

The new space is not going to save anybody. Jesus is still the star of the show. Imagine that it’s Halloween. If we have great candy, and we want to give it to trick-or-treaters, we turn on the porch light. The porch light is not what we have to offer. It does, however, have a purpose.

What advice would you give someone who doesn't yet have a budget for a big upgrade?

For several years, we didn’t either. Then God moved in the heart of our senior pastor while he was on a retreat. It hasn’t changed what I’ve always try to do, though, and that is to do the best I can with what I have. Luke 21:1-3 = It’s not the size of the budget that matters, but the same principal applies whether you have very little or an abundance.

What two or three things does your preteen ministry do that is most successful?

I am encouraged by the results of Elevate. We’ve had success at getting preteens to:
1. Take ownership of their faith.
2. Worship with everything they've got.
3. Be excited to be in a service and at events with their unsaved friends.

What lesson have you learned from a mistake you've made in the last year?

Currently, I am learning that each year, I have to learn who the preteens are and not assume that what worked amazingly last year will work the same way this year.

Tell us how a preteen has recently been impacted through your ministry.

We recently had a service entitled, “Now is the time…to cry out to God”. We talked about God as our heavenly father. Many of the preteens were emotional at the end of service and were crying out to God during our closing worship and prayer time. One mom reported to me that after coming home from church that evening, her 5th grade girl went to her earthly father and told him, through tears, that she felt distant from him, and wanted to have a closer relationship with him.

Talk to us about the Elevate Conference.

The Elevate Conference is a time for leaders of preteens to come together and (a) learn from one another, (b) collectively and separately seek God’s will, and (c) develop a support network. It’s a three day conference, May 13-15, in Rocklin, California. This year’s theme is “What’s Your Story?”, and the line up of speakers includes Patrick Snow (SuperStart), Craig Jutilla (empoweringkids), Nick Diliberto (PreteenMinistry.net), and many others. Get more information or register today at www.preteenleadersconference.com