Six Chapel Ridge youth came to faith during the summer and fall

Elizabeth Mabie
Spur Ottawa Writer

On a warm summer evening, surrounded by creation and the youth from Chapel Ridge Free Methodist Church, Jessica Martin fervently encouraged her hearers to reflect on the Gospel. At the end of the night, three young people accepted Jesus.

“This is what we want to see. We want to see students make decisions for Christ and then be discipled by others as they pursue a fruit-filled life with Jesus,” says Jessica Martin, who leads the youth ministry at Chapel Ridge. “Seeing students accept Christ is so encouraging. It’s the start of the journey our students are embarking on.”

The one-day retreat was an event that Chapel Ridge’s youth, volunteers, and coordinators have been looking forward to—the first gathering of its kind in over two years.

The church currently has more than 50 students between Grades 6 and 12. While many ministries are unsure how many people stayed engaged through COVID, Martin has seen a huge increase in attendance in the last two years. Of note, a number of the kids coming are not connected to the church.

“I am excited for the expansion of the Gospel, that the youth’s lives are being changed and that they have chosen to take these steps in following Jesus,” shares Meghan Peterkins, a long-time summer youth intern with Chapel Ridge. “I’m honoured that I am able to witness this life change in so many young people.”

“As Jessica was sharing the Gospel message, I could feel the passion in her and see it in the room.”

Peterkins recalls that evening at Camp Cherith. Martin encouraged each person to reflect on the Gospel, what it meant to them, and where in their life they need it the most. She shared about the importance of receiving Jesus as Lord and Saviour, and committing your life to serving Him.

“As Jessica was sharing the Gospel message, I could feel the passion in her and see it in the room. The Holy Spirit was definitely moving,” Peterkins says. “I am thankful every time we get the privilege to share the Gospel with a group of children or youth.”

Both Martin and Peterkins believe COVID-19 was an influential factor in the students’ decision to follow Christ.

“These students have such a desire to fill this emptiness and longing in their lives,” explains Martin. “They are in a time where they are desperately searching for answers, and Jesus is the only answer who will truly satisfy.”

“COVID challenged them in many ways, but even through the challenges it was great to see the Lord working in the kids’ lives,” Peterkins adds. “I think it definitely played a role in them accepting Christ.”

During September, another three youth from Chapel Ridge received Jesus as their saviour.

Martin, Peterkins, and the volunteers all act as mentors for the youth who come, helping them remain on the right path and hoping those who do not yet have a relationship with Jesus will find God along the way.

“Making sure the youth are able to have older youth and adults pour into their life and support them is vital in this journey,” explains Peterkins. “My hope for each youth is that their faith will grow continually and never cease.”