“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” – 1 Timothy 4:12
In late 2021, the teen ministry of the Santa Clarita Valley Church of Christ emerged from the pandemic with a handful of high schoolers and no full-time ministers. Today, three years later, the ministry has several faithful disciples and a high school Bible talk with an average of 40+ attendees.
When long-time disciples and volunteer teen workers Gary and Shannon Whitmore stepped up to lead the church’s high school ministry in 2021, they encouraged the teens – regardless of age or gender – to take ownership of their ministry. The Whitmores were committed to giving their whole hearts to the teens, but their demanding full-time jobs would require all hands on deck. If these teens wanted an engaging and growing ministry, they would all need to answer the call of discipleship by training in godliness, encouraging one another, and sharing their faith.
And that they did. As Gary and Shannon planned ministry events, the teens started using their social influence to invite their friends to church. Through sports teams, classes, clubs, and more, students across the Santa Clarita Valley began to learn about this courageous group of believers.
As their group gained momentum, a few teen disciples banded together to launch Bible talks at their respective high schools. Persevering through persecution, they invited their friends to join these biblical discussions held during lunchtime. This Bible talk, known on campus as Truth Be Told (TBT), quickly gained traction as students from all backgrounds came to hear their peers share about the gospel.
Soon enough, these students from across the valley became more and more eager to experience the kingdom of God. Not only was TBT now full of engaged attendees each week, but teen ministry events, midweek Bible lessons, and Sunday worship services were soon bursting with visitors as well.
For many of these school friends, this introduction to the Good News has changed their lives forever. Several students have begun studying the Bible and are zealous to change their lives for the Lord. At the first TBT meeting of the 2024-2025 school year, every seat in the classroom was taken. With the faith of a few teenage disciples, the Lord packed a 12th grade chemistry room full of 57 high schoolers hungry for the Bread of Life.
If you attend a worship service in Santa Clarita, you will have no trouble finding this zealous teen ministry. They sit right in the front each Sunday, three rows full of teens bursting with faith and joy. Chances are one of them is also sharing their testimony during communion, serving with the AV team, or even preaching a sermon to the congregation.
As you watch them in the fellowship, you’ll find boys and girls, kingdom kids and school friends, introverts and extroverts alike all mingling with one another. Though their personalities, ages, and interests differ, you will always find them together. Even with no full-time staff couple to lead them, this “Acts 2” family of young believers is banded together by their love for the Lord and one another.
While the impact of this powerhouse ministry is known across Los Angeles, you will be hard-pressed to find anyone more moved than Gary and Shannon Whitmore. If you ask them about their experience serving the teens, the Whitmores will affirm that they are beyond blessed to glorify God alongside these incredible young men and women. The Whitmore’s pride and joy extends to every student in their ministry, as the faith, kindness, and friendship of these high schoolers truly inspires them daily. To Gary and Shannon, each teen serves as a reminder that nothing is impossible with God.
As a new ministry intern in Santa Clarita, I have been humbled by the passionate dedication of these teens. In every hangout, Bible study, and post-church conversation, it is such a privilege to see their various personalities and diverse perspectives on the world. While they may tease me for my poor use of teenage slang, every one of them has a heart full of love and eyes full of wonder.
In every way imaginable, this teen ministry has revolutionized my idea of what it means to truly keep the cross before me and leave the world behind me.
In the absence of a Paul, a Timothy will rise up to set the example for the believers. With the help of faithful parents, devoted volunteers, prayers from the Santa Clarita church, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, these devoted disciples are winning the hearts of the youth for Christ.
