A youth ministry full of unbelievers?

Kimberly Louis is Director of Rock the World's Timothy Mission. She consults with several smaller churches in the Pittburgh area, helping them develop volunteer-based youth ministries. She does this by conducting training sessions, designing curriculum, and mentoring volunteer leaders at these churches. Check out what God is doing in one of these churches…

I arrived late for youth group at St. Martin’s, Monroeville because of chaos at home – so when I arrived, I was a little off – and I walked into another chaos, the happy chaos of youth ministry. Screaming, laughing, singing, dancing and Twister: a party!
This party was part of an unusual youth ministry – one where most of the regular attendees are not Christians. They are drawn to the youth ministry because of the fellowship and the love they are shown there. So, instead of hanging out together at someone's house, they come to church and we have the opportunity to love them and connect them to something – and someone – bigger.
There were new students that night, some I had never seen. I gave one girl a band-aid to welcome her to the group. I was impressed that she was bold enough to stand up in front of a room full of strangers and announce her recent 10-day hospital stay at the local psychiatric hospital. Then, boldly she asked, "Who here knows Jesus, you know is tight with Him?" At this the students went around the room and stated their religious beliefs…Christian, Atheist, Agnostic, Jewish. And they all choose to hang out at a church, where they know the student and adult leaders believe there is no other way to God, except through Jesus Christ!
Later that evening we all signed a paper airplane for another group member who was just admitted to the same floor of the psychiatric hospital. This Christian youth community is unusual because it is truly a safe place – where students come as they are, respect each other's beliefs and backgrounds, withhold judgment, and experience the real love of Jesus Christ. And His love is attractive. More and more young people are coming to check Him out!