In that way, the transition from youth group to graduating group is a natural progression. It really helps when your church has someone like we have over- seeing our college and career group. Amy Trevino is one of the sharpest young women I have ever met. Her ability to multitask is astounding, and her love for the Lord and His kingdom is evident in everything she does. She goes over and above with our twenty-somethings. She is an exceptional teacher who draws in young adults. She and her husband, Raul Trevino Jr., lead our Master’s Blend Col- lege and Career group, and they are good. Find someone who can relate like the Trevinos. Place that husband and wife team over your college and career group. Then, when your next graduation rolls around, create opportunities for the young adult group to welcome the gradu- ating seniors—even before the graduation takes place. Have them do an outing together, a road trip, or an overnighter. Work hard to establish the relationships. There has to be connectivity.

By having that vibrant connection—a small group within the church—it makes

it harder for the graduate to fall between the cracks and disappear over the sum- mer. The youth leaders can only do so much; they’ve ministered to the graduate for the past several years, and must get ready for the next group of incoming middle-schoolers. So this transition falls to the young adult leaders.

In fact, the leaders must work doubly hard with these newbies. They should send emails, texts, Facebook messages— whatever it takes to keep the lines of com- munication open! The endgame is to fos- ter that place of belonging. Keep working that plan every year, and make sure the group stays active with plenty of events. In time, pairings will develop (they did here), then marriages (they did

here), and then babies. Do you see where this is going?

Our church is becoming more and more of a place where young families are being built and mentored by the estab- lished families therein. The result is a healthy church filled with healthy families who are doing church the way it should be done; and these young parents are not los- ing a decade to the devil. Instead, those 10 years are being given to God!

James A. Hull is senior pastor of the North Jacksonville, Florida, Church of God.

“When graduation day comes, regrettably, the worst often happens. These graduates attend church a few more Sundays, and then that summer they disappear.”

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