The five core ministries common to all churches are didache, kerygma, leiturgia, koinonia, and diakonia. At Revive Wesleyan, we place a strong emphasis on koinonia, which focuses on fellowship and building relationships among church members. Our experience shows that when people are actively engaged in a supportive Christian community, learning and service to the community naturally follow. Additionally, we have found that individuals are more likely to participate in worship and respond to the proclamation of the Word when they feel a sense of community.
From the early church through the Reformation and into modern times, small group gatherings have been a central focus of the church. The writer of Hebrews highlights the importance of community when they write, “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another” (Hebrews 10:24-25). This passage underscores the value of coming together to support and inspire one another in faith.
One ministry at Revive that has excelled in promoting all five of these activities is our student ministry. Revive has been dedicated to serving middle and high school students in the community for decades. In 2002, the leadership of our student ministry recognized that more could be done to support young people. To address this, the youth staff conducted extensive research involving local schools, local recreation departments, and law enforcement to identify the community’s most pressing needs. Here are the top three findings from their research:
- Safe Spaces: There was a demand for safe places where students could gather on weekend nights.
- After-School Programs: Many younger teens need structured activities after school to avoid returning to an empty house.
- Adult Role Models: The community stressed the need for adult mentors who could provide guidance and support to students who are searching for direction and may be struggling.
Revive took these findings seriously and used them to transform our student ministry. It was decided to create a dedicated space that would accommodate all of these needed activities. As a result, we built a 25,000-square-foot youth center featuring a full-size gym, a game room, a café, and a large meeting room that opened in April of 2004. This facility is designed to provide a safe and engaging environment for our students.
Revive’s student ministry prioritizes koinonia, providing an open, safe space for all students in our community to gather and interact. This ministry addresses a vital need in the community that was previously unmet, and we have established strong partnerships with other local organizations. Some people question the spiritual benefits for those who attend, but a powerful example of transformation is our upcoming baptism service on November 24, 2024, where twenty-nine individuals will be baptized—twenty-one of whom are students!
This is just one example of the vital role that Revive Wesleyan plays in the community. For more information on how Revive invests in the community, please click here to learn about our various support groups and marriage enrichment opportunities. If you’re interested in serving the local community in Buffalo or getting involved internationally, click here for more details.