Unchurched survey with Sara

What are a few issues or topics that impact/interest you?

“Personally I try to stay out of politics and religion in the news because in my eyes everyone has their own Ideas and Beliefs. I can voice my opinions but I would rather not feel like I am pushing what I believe on others.”

Why do you think most people don’t attend church?

“I think people don't really go to church because most of them see religion as either a joke or just something to fall back on to cover up their mistakes and problems. Some see religion as nothing but an easy button and some people just go to church for something to do to waste time OR find out what everyone else is doing and as a way or getting information on other people... so being nosy in other words.

Then there are actually some who go to church for its actual reason. Personally myself, I Don't go to church that often because I see church as a way of talking to God and or Jesus through a 3rd person when I would rather talk to him one on one in an environment that I am comfy with instead of one that I am not. I believe God is everywhere not just a church.”

If you were to look for a church to attend, what kind of things would you look for?

“I look for environment and a friendly Atmosphere. I don’t want to walk into a place and feel uncomfortable in my own shoes.”

What advice can you give to pastors who really want to be helpful to people?

“One thing I have learned about pastors is that they like to sugar coat things and or hide the answer to the question being asked in a bible verse. If you are asked a direct question you should answer it directly instead of beating around the bush. Now if someone asked something with that verse as an example then sure by all means, but until then just answer honestly.”

Jason Lamer - Youth alive

            After working in youth ministry for several years Jason Lamer is now the Director of Youth Alive for the Pen Dell district. The idea behind Youth Alive is to bring assemblies to public schools. The assemblies can be described as having a festival feel and really engage with the students. Later on the same day as the assemblies the Youth Alive team will host another event at the same school in which the students are given a chance to accept Jesus. The events are very successful.

            One of the things that has really helped Jason grow in his ministry is that he grew up in a pastors home in which the church did not finically support his family. Because evangelism was a hobby and not a job in his home, Jason feels that he had an opportunity to experience it in a way that was always exciting and fun. He was given plenty of opportunities to preach and witness and at the age of thirteen he knew God had a calling on his life to evangelize. After that he gave everything to God and now he can recall many different situations in which God has provided for him because he was exactly where God wanted him to be. Jason said that God blessed him and his ministries because he always used what he had and didn’t wast time wishing for more resources.