March 19, 2010
By Joey Butler

It doesn't take long to call roll for the United Methodist Youth Fellowship at West Guthrie United Methodist Church. On a busy day, the group claims four members.

But that small group is having a huge impact on the life of the church and community in Guthrie, Okla., through a ministry of service that would rival a church of any size.

Since forming in 2007, the group has undertaken a wide variety of service projects, from raising funds for several charities to helping elderly members with cleaning and chores.

"We've got some coming up and two graduating so we maintain about three to four in the group," says West Guthrie member Teresa Longnecker, the group's sponsor and mother of fellowship member Jordann Longnecker.

"We have hosted a Fat Tuesday pancake supper the last two years. There is no charge – they pay for it from their yearly calendar and greeting card sales – and the kids do the cooking and cleaning," Longnecker said.

Those calendar sales and a team-sponsored rummage sale also helped to purchase 200 bed nets for Africa and more than $500 to assemble care boxes for soldiers.

In April, they are sponsoring a "Run for the Troops" fun run to raise more money for soldier care packages. Fellowship member Derrek Long, a member of his high school's ROTC program, helped organize the run.

The fellowship takes a keen interest in the church's youth. They host celebrations for children that emphasize the Christian perspectives of the holy days of Christmas and Easter. The day before Easter they will have a Hallelujah Saturday to dye eggs, play games, make Easter "empty tomb" cookies and learn the story of Easter events through Resurrection Eggs. With help from adult supporters, they converted an unused room at the church for youth ministry.

"Since we are a small church, they also play a major part in Vacation Bible School by helping with games, crafts and skits, and also helped narrate the children's Christmas program," Longnecker said.

For its latest fundraiser, the fellowship sponsored a churchwide cookbook called "Recipes for God's Children," which has so far raised more than $1,000. The profits were divided among West Guthrie's local budget, United Methodist mission apportionments and Guthrie Crossroads Clinic, which offers counseling to pregnant teens and alternatives to abortion.

So how does such a small group accomplish so many things? Teresa Longnecker believes it's simply an extraordinary commitment to help others.

"There are lots of opportunities for kids to go out and have fun. I know a lot of churches try to make everything about having fun," Longnecker said. "Kids have lots of other ways to have fun, but what they're looking for is a way to serve Christ."

United Methodist News Service
Joey Butler is 18-34 content editor for United Methodist Communications, Nashville, Tenn.