Illuminate Youth Group

Illuminate Youth meets on the last Tuesday night of the month at 6:30pm. IYG is the Sr high school and college age ministry of Big Bear Christian Center. Youth grades 8-12, & college age are invited to attend a night filled with fellowship, worship and time in the Word.

Ed Breyer is the serving youth pastor, and he along with his wife Oona remain active in Big Bear Christian Center. Ed has grown up in the church and has been serving in some capacity with the youth for over 10 years. Ed and Oona currently lead a Youth Lighthouse for college age and above, as well as being watchmen for the entire Youth Lighthouse District. They are supported by a wonderful group of student leaders that make IYG a success.

IYG functions within the same vision and purpose of Big Bear Christian Center believing that in order to reach this generation it is going to take more than "do good" activities, and help making "right choices". While those are vital parts of a Christian walk, without a transformed heart that is desperate for Jesus, nothing really changes. We believe that this generation has the power and ability to affect their world. But to do so, we cannot continue to run from "program" to "program", expecting to maintain the spiritual high that comes with that sort of Christian walk. While we believe in and support many other types and styles of ministry to youth, IYG is based totally on the Cell Church model. This is where our vision for IYG-3D began. "Double, Disciple & Do it through Cells". We are continually asking God to double our youth size, while breaking their hearts into serious relationship with Him. And we believe the best way possible to accomplish that is through our Lighthouse Groups.

All of our Lighthouse groups are student led for a few reasons. One, we believe that this generation has unreached potential, and that we are best fulfilled when we are serving others. To say that is true for an adult but not a teenager would be foolish. We are continually amazed by the effort and desire that we see our leaders putting out. Two, no one knows youth like, youth. We believe that with the counsel of the Word of God and support of other leadership, there is no one more qualified to reach these young people. They understand their peers in a way that an older generation will not be able to. Using "friendship evangelism" has continued to be one of the strongest tools we believe we have available.

Our Lighthouse Keepers and IYG Youth leaders are incredible young people. We could not be more proud or have more confidence in their ability to lead. They continually amaze us with their heart for God and their generation. For more information about IYG or it's leadership, check out our IYG page for more information! Or visit www.myspace.com/cy3dor www.battlecry.com/edball