CONNECTION COMING: GLOW UP!

Missions event for teen girls, grades 6-12, set for September

MURFREESBORO — For Kim Cruse, the path to becoming a missionary began in high school at an event she now organizes.

“That’s where God called me to be a missionary,” recalls Cruse, missions discipleship specialist for Tennessee Woman’s Missionary Union. “I learned that the call to take the gospel to the nations was not for the super spiritual only … it’s really a command for every believer.”

Now Cruse is hoping to inspire a new generation of young women at “Connection,” a missions-focused weekend event for girls in grades 6-12 and their leaders, on Sept. 5-7.

The Tennessee Baptist Mission Board and Tennessee WMU will host the event at Northside Baptist Church, with the theme “Glow Up!” designed to resonate with today’s teenagers while challenging them spiritually.

The spiritual application of the theme runs deep. “As we glow up, as we grow up in Christ, we glow to others, and we want to be that attraction that draws other people to Christ,” Cruse said.

More than fun and games

Connection targets spiritual maturity over entertainment.

“Maturity and spiritual growth come much more thoroughly when we serve than when we just go play,” explains Cruse. “This event is targeted more at youth groups that want their girls to be discipled deeply and learn about missions and their spiritual gifts.”

The weekend will tackle challenging topics relevant to teenage girls, including how to help friends struggling with depression and anxiety, spiritual warfare, and making an impact during everyday activities like band or sports events.

“Teenagers can be emotional… so follow God’s word, not your feelings,” Cruse emphasizes.

Participants will meet missionary speakers, engage in Bible study, participate in discipleship breakouts, worship services, and mission projects.

A unique feature this year will be a “journey through Africa” experience, where girls will explore the sights, sounds, culture, and food while learning about missions to that continent.

Guest speakers

Hannah Yount, an International Mission Board missionary who oversees work among the Deaf of Africa, will speak about a particularly challenging mission field.

Deaf people often can’t access traditional methods of gospel outreach like Christian radio, Cruse explains.

The event will showcase innovative techniques missionaries use to reach deaf communities, including video sign language Bible stories and training local believers in sign language ministry.

Kelly Chilcote, Area Director for YOKE Youth Ministry, will serve as the primary Bible study leader. Chilcote brings international mission experience from trips to Belize, South Africa, and Uganda.

Chilcote also has been involved in prison ministry at local correctional facilities.

Building for the future

This year, the partnership with Middle Tennessee State University’s Baptist Collegiate Ministry serves a dual purpose.

MTSU’s BCM Band will lead worship, while BCM students will share about their summer missions experiences.

“If we can introduce these girls to the concept of a collegiate ministry, then hopefully that won’t be a foreign idea to them when they get to college,” Cruse explains, addressing the common problem of students dropping out of church after high school.

Past participants have returned to their home churches with renewed purpose. “Some of the high schoolers have said, ‘Hey, we’re going to start pouring into these middle school girls,’” Cruse notes.

“They’ll come back to their churches and serve better.”

Registration information

Registration opened July 1 and closes Aug. 25, with no registration available at the event. Registration is $85 per person by the Aug. 25 deadline and includes Saturday lunch. While fees are transferable, they are non-refundable.

Organizers recommend one adult sponsor per seven girls, with sponsors required to be at least five years older than participants. Required forms will be emailed to group leaders upon registration.

Visit www.tnbaptist.org/event/connection/ for more information or to register for the Connection missions event. B&R