Senior Adults Adopt Youth

Bushnell Assembly of God, Bushnell, Florida.

They decided that instead of being the ones soaking up ministry they wanted to give out from their own lives. As their group set goals for themselves they came up with two main agendas: Adopt-A-Youth and Prayer Vigil.

It took almost 7 months to actually get the Adopt-A-Youth up and running smoothly, but their efforts have been worth all the time and planning. In April of 2004 they had a dinner and presented “Adoption” certificates to the youth in the program. Diana says, “My husband and I bonded with the two teens we chose (actually they chose us!)”. Mullin took her “granddaughter” and five of her friends out for pizza and mall stuff on her birthday and they all had a ball. Diana buys gifts and prays for her “granddaughter” and they look for each other every time they are at church. Mullin says, “One Sunday I was not feeling well and my adopted “granddaughter” came and sat with me to ‘comfort and cheer’ me.”

Another member of the Senior Adult group took her adoptee to the beach on Senior Skip Day and also took her for her driving test. Recently the church gave time for testimonies regarding these relationships and everyone seems to be benefiting from these special ties.

Diana Mullin reports that she had gotten out of touch with teens and this outreach has made a tremendous difference in her understanding of their lives. Bushnell Assembly of God averages 200 in attendance on Sunday mornings and over fifty of them are youth group attendees. The Adopt-AYouth effort has been good for the whole church.