“Go was a command given by Christ long ago. One would think that all the ‘going’ would be done by now, but it’s still needed,” says Andrew Schopf, pastor of First Baptist Church, Soap Lake, Washington. He realized that this commission is not just for foreign missions, but also for our own communities.
“There have been seasons when First Baptist has struggled to reach out to its community,” Andrew says, noting that “duty and desire don’t always lead to action.” But at the end of the 2024 school year, God opened a door for the church to reach teens in its community with the gospel.
Last summer a pastoral intern served at the church, resulting in both contacts and personnel to start an evangelistic outreach to teens. Summer Hangouts, part of the church’s new intentional youth discipleship program, happened every Monday night at Andrew’s house and consistently drew 15–35 teens. Each Hangout included a meal, a gospel presentation, games, and conversation.
The objective for Hangouts was to share the gospel repeatedly with youth in the church and community. Halfway through the evening, the teens would sit in a circle and either Andrew or Grant Brower, the summer intern, would teach God’s Word.
“At every Hangout, we saw that our greatest privilege and responsibility was to share our Savior with the youth,” Andrew says.
Hangouts also provided an opportunity for church members to serve the teens. Each week church members took turns providing meals. Other church members donated money for game supplies and even to rent a giant water slide. And one couple consistently brought dozens of chocolate chip cookies, which quickly became a favorite predinner snack. “But above all, they prayed faithfully and fervently for the success of the event, the proclamation of the gospel, and for its reception in each heart,” Andrew says.
The Hangouts also gave Grant the opportunity to learn ministry by organizing, administrating, and leading the events. In the process of job-shadowing Andrew, Grant infused energy into youth outreach.
“Our task of making disciples is not only accomplished by sharing the gospel but also by allowing the next generation to have opportunities for learning and growth in service,” Andrew says. “Grant’s love for the Lord, passion for the lost, and youthful energy were the perfect trifecta for the success of this mission.”
Grant says he continues “to trust and pray that God would bring growth in the lives of these teens.”
First Baptist looks forward to continuing its internship program each summer and prays that God gives the church the privilege of seeing teens follow Christ.
