What could God do through a generation shaped by unity and intentional prayer?
United Worship & Prayer is an annual event held each fall that brings youth groups from across the valley together under one roof to worship Jesus and pray for their communities.
This year, more than 20 churches and 500 students and youth leaders gathered at Peoples Church for this special evening. Churches represented included: Campus Bible, Mountain View, Sunrise, CrossCity, Refinery, Clovis Hills, Northwest, Bethany, Cornerstone, and many more.
Teen gathered to pray and worship, kicking off the year of student ministry together. Photo Credit: Access Church
United Worship & Prayer is facilitated as a ministry under the umbrella of Fresno/Madera Youth For Christ called the Central Valley Youth Network (CVYN). CVYN facilitates monthly gatherings hosted at different churches throughout the valley, creating opportunities for youth workers to build relationships, pursue unity, and strengthen one another as they serve the more than 200,000 young people living in Fresno County.
There is something truly powerful about seeing the Body of Christ come together to worship Jesus and pray for our communities. The greater Fresno area has a long history of churches pursuing unity, and gatherings like United Worship & Prayer are the soil in which the fruit of Jesus’ prayer in John 17 grows—that His people would have a strengthened witness as they strengthen their unity amongst each other.
There were many highlights throughout the evening. Students made first-time decisions to follow Christ, others expressed a desire to learn more about baptism through their local churches, and students were connected with on-campus ministries such as FCA, Younglife, and YFC.
God is raising up kids who are joining His mission on their campuses! Photo Credit: Access Church
But some of the most special moments were quieter ones: watching youth pastors and students from very different backgrounds pray with and for one another. These moments offered a beautiful picture of the unity Jesus prayed for and the glimpse of the Kingdom that is here and is still to come. When believers choose to worship together, pray together, and serve together, seeds are being planted that can impact generations to come.
What might God do through a generation that takes ownership of the call to pray together, worship together, and pursue Jesus together?
Together, for kids to know Christ,
John Drotos
YFC Staff and leader of the Youth Network