Energize - from Urban Saints
Envisioning, equipping and encouraging leaders to release the rising generation
Over the next few months we will be featuring various resource packages offered by organisations such as C.P.A.S., Scripture Union and Y.F.C. We begin by looking at a package called Energize available from Urban Saints (formerly Crusaders).
Energize is a web-based resource for youth leaders. It offers a wide range of high quality material including meeting plans, articles, drama sketches and training resources.
Meeting Plans
Energize offers adaptable, creative meeting plans for three different age groups (7-10s, 11-14s, 15+). This archive of material is updated monthly and can be printed and photocopied or e-mailed directly to other leaders.
Content includes a 12 year thematic curriculum dealing with a range of big themes including apologetics, the nature of God, issues facing children and young people, and Christian lifestyle. There are also two brand new series:-
The Big Picture is a curriculum that provides a session on every book in the Bible.
Christian Foundations is a series of 9 sessions, for each age group, that unpacks the gospel and seeks to help children and young people understand what it means to live the Christian life.
Urban Saints realises that many youth leaders prefer to produce their own teaching materials. This task can be made a lot easier by accessing the thousands of individual activities on the Energize site through its powerful search facility.
Drama
Further variety can be brought to meetings by get leaders and young people to perform one of the many inspiring and humorous drama sketches that are provided throughout the year to support the meeting plans.
Articles
Each month at least four feature articles are published on the website to assist in both the practical aspects of youth and children’s work and the ongoing spiritual development of leaders.
Training
Whether running an existing youth and children’s group or launching a new one, users of the Energize website are provided with a set of interactive training materials. These are designed to help equip the whole team to work effectively with children and young people. All units are downloadable and include a guide for the trainer, worksheets and PowerPoint presentations. New units are added every year.
Youth groups will receive three complimentary places each year at any one of the highly regarded Urban Saints one-day training conferences that are held throughout the UK.
Mentoring
Over the last last few years Crusaders have started to develop mentoring courses like ‘INFUSION’ which aim to train teenagers in youth and children’s ministry. These resources have previously only been available in hard copy form, however in the future all mentoring courses like ‘INFUSION’ will be available for FREE download from the Energize website as part of the package.
Websites for Children and Young People
Additional resources are provided to give children and young people an opportunity to look further into the issues explored in the Energize meeting plans through two follow-up websites, www.hikidz.org for children and www.life2themax.net for teenagers.
How to Subscribe
Packaged altogether at a cost of £15 per month (Energize Standard) or £20 per month (Energize Plus) Urban Saints believes that Energize provides an efficient and cost-effective way of providing vast amounts of excellent material for youth groups.
The difference between Energize Standard and Energize Plus subscription is that with Energize Plus youth groups are also provided with access to Urban Saints’ CRB Disclosures application system for all team members, £5 million Public Liability Insurance, an up-to-date child protection policy and access to Urban Saints’ dedicated Volunteers Support Team for pastoral and practical advice and support.
You can trial Energize for three months, for FREE. Apply online or contact the support centre on 01582 589850.
What People Say
“The older group (10yrs+) can be quite difficult at times but with the help of Energize they seem to enjoy the sessions. It is saving me a lot of time. Being able to email info to other helpers is invaluable as we all lead very busy lives. Energize is like a breath of fresh air; inspiring and easy to use.” Susan Law, Perranporth, Cornwall.
“An excellent range of topic choice with a good biblical foundation and great games for all ages. I thoroughly recommend it.” Alison Landale, Duns, Scotland.
“I was a doubter, but no more. Access to such good and diverse material has now enabled us to run 3 distinct groups each with its own leadership team.” Pastor Steve Reed, Hemyock, Devon.
“Our meetings have a more organised feel as all the leaders know exactly what they and everyone else is responsible for, even if they were not present at the planning stage.” Gina Hibbert, Dunmurry, N. Ireland.
Mark Arnold, Volunteers Director, Urban Saints
