Youthworkers Support Network
TheNet of Greater Houston
Helping connect and support servant-leaders, who are sharing the Good News about Jesus Christ,
to Greater Houston’s children and youth.
Leaders
Using the biblical model of “shepherd-leaders”, shepherds must not only care for their flock, but they must also be skillfully competent in areas like agriculture, weather, fighting wolves, etc.).
Today’s children and youth leaders must not only care for their “flocks”, but also have a variety of skills in addition to biblical knowledge, such as …
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Networks
Children and youth workers who are involved in a healthy local network, tend to stay longer in their ministries and have healthier ministries, than workers who are isolated.
But healthy and effective networks are difficult to start, and hard to maintain. The network’s leaders need clear vision and special skills to serve in their roles.
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Schools
.. aren’t what they used to be … not even five years ago!
Most of our children and youth spend a huge portion of their early lives at school, and in school-related activities.
To help our children and youth today, and prepare them for their future responsibilities, we must help our local schools, teachers, and staff.
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Our area?
Our focus is the nine Texas counties which the US Census Bureau calls “Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land MSA”. These counties cover over 8,258 square miles, with an estimated 2023 population of 7,481,317 souls.
We’re first local, but we’re also connected nationally with other organizations.
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FAQs
Do you provide direct services to children or youth?
No – Our staff and key volunteers have years of experience working directly with youth (and may still do so through their other roles in their churches or other organizations) but our Bylaws have been written to keep our efforts focused on helping other leaders and children/youth workers be more effective in their programs and ministries. Our middle name is “Support”, so we can help others serve better.
Are you a church, or part of a denomination?
Are you independent?
- Yes – We have our own IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. We are not legally dependent on another organization for our identity or support.
- No – We are very dependent on our God to bring the workers, volunteers, support, contacts, and blessings that we need … to do the work He has assigned us.
- No – We work along-side other organizations that have similar goals as ours. Most of our efforts are mutually-dependent, since none of us can bring about the changes we desire, by ourselves. Working together, we’re each more effective. As you skim our website, you will see links to some of our strategic ministry partners.
Do you charge for your services?
No – Our services are offered freely, to the leaders and projects that fit our goals and beliefs. If those we serve choose to help support our expenses, we appreciate their gifts, but our services are not dependent on their gifts. Most of the leaders and projects we are involved in, are struggling with inadequate financial support themselves. We have written our Bylaws to prevent our charging for our services. (However, when we offer materials or workshops, we may request a reimbursement for the direct costs involved, such as food and materials, but not for our time.)
How are you funded?
By tax-deductible contributions from individuals, a few local churches, and someday by a few small foundation grants. Some of our direct costs for materials, workshop supplies or meals, may be reimbursed by those attending the training.
What are your basic beliefs?
See our “Statement of Faith” from our Bylaws.
Are you a large organization?
No – We are a “tiny team” of 1.2 full-time staff and two key-volunteers (who also serve as board members), about 30 financial supporters, with our annual income/expenses barely over $30k. If God blesses our efforts, we trust we will find more staff, key-volunteers, board and advisory committee members. In the process, our financial resources will gradually increase. As a “support and connecting organization” we realize our goals are not attractive, but other ministries and churches urgently need help to expand their programs to reach children and youth in their area. We also realize, that while our focus and structure is uncommon, it has been tried in other cities. We have much to learn, and we hope our progress can benefit other leaders in similar efforts.
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If you are still curious about our purpose and goals, please keep exploring our website. We seek those who God is leading to us, who have similar goals, so together, we can serve God’s purposes, better. We also seek supporters who first “give themselves to the Lord”, then to support our work, if that is what God has led them to do. (see 2 Corinthians 8:5)
If you have questions or comments, please click the [Contact us?] button below.
The [Finances?] button below, will take you to a page with related information, and giving financial support options, if you desire to do so.
If desired, click the [Newsletters?] button below, for occasional mailouts or eNewsletters. We do not have the staff or time to write frequently, but as we move forward we hope to start occasional, then regular updates.
Thank you for your curiosity and interest!