Winning the battle of influence

Arkansas Dream Center youth stand outside the Dream Center for a group photo while fundraising for their end of summer trip to Branson, Missouri.

For Nadia Owens, Arkansas Dream Center youth, the Dream Center is a place where she is loved and seen. Having attended for seven years, she experiences and knows this peace every time she walks through the doors. 

During times when she felt her world cave in, the Dream Center was hope. 

“I keep coming to the Dream Center because they can relate to what I am walking through. I can come in with my personal issues, anxiety, and know that they will love and care for me,” Owens says. 

The Dream Center’s youth program seeks to grow the next generation of the church by meeting families' spiritual and physical needs. Throughout the year, the Dream Center foster's spiritual growth and provides resources for families. When serving kids, it is important to not only meet their needs, but also see and serve the needs of the entire family unit. Dream Center Youth Coach Gabrielle Shackelford sees the importance of ministering to youth by ministering to their families. 

“I encourage family time, it’s big for the kids. Finding somewhere to grow spiritually is super important for families. Over the past year, I have grown closer to our kid’s parents. This is the best because I am all about the whole family, I want them to be whole,” Shackelford says. “A lot of our families are hurting and they need healing. I really encourage parents to get help in whatever areas they are hurting so they can help their kids. Kids hurt because their parents hurt.” 

While at the Dream Center Summer Program, the youth participate in Bible study, educational enrichment and serve by volunteering in younger classrooms. Da’Jaylin Holmes, Dream Center youth, knows the impact service has on those younger than him. 

“When you serve you get to set an example for those who are younger and come to the Dream Center,” Holmes reflects. “It’s fun to serve because you get to hang out with everyone and you are in a Gospel setting.”

To celebrate their summer of service, the youth are working to raise money for an end of summer trip to Branson, Missouri. By completing entrepreneurship courses, they are carefully developing, coordinating and growing leadership skills to fundraise for the trip. 

Dream Center youth prepare snow cones during their weekly summer snow cone fundraiser on Friday’s.

“We have learned that teamwork really does make the dream work. It is always better to work together because as it says in Ecclesiastes 4:9, two is better than one. When we all work together, the job gets done,” Holmes says. 

The heartbeat of youth ministry is to see kids come to know and love Jesus. In a world where kids encounter death, it is a fight for faith. 

“Our kids encounter so much death, naturally and spiritually. There is a lot out there that is under the grip of the enemy and prevents them the chance to hear the Gospel,” Shackelford says through teary eyes. “In every kid, there is a need for emotional care. Kids have so many worries and carry burdens you would never believe. It’s the hugs and making them laugh that make a difference. It’s about getting their minds off of home and the emotional needs that await them there.” 

Pray for Dream Center Youth 

The Dream Center seeks for every child and family that walks through their doors to encounter the love of Christ and experience the hope that is found in Him. To pray for the next generation, ask the Lord to continue to move in their hearts, heal what is broken in the hearts of families, protection and for Gospel seeds to take root. 

More Information

For information on the Dream Center’s summer programs, visit everyarkansan.org/ardc  or @ardreamcenter on Instagram and @dreamcenter on Facebook.