Rock the World Youth Mission Alliance
Encyclopedia
Rock the World Youth Mission Alliance is a Christian ministry
that trains young people as leader
s. Their core training programs create an ongoing network of relationships where the grads and trainees collaborate to offer events and conferences
, generate new ministries, and support one another in life and ministry.
Among other programs, Rock the World runs the Josiah Project, a summer collegiate leadership initiative; re:mix, an annual conference for young people ages 14–30; Epicenter, a year-long internship for high school
graduates and young adults; Ambridge Youth Ignite, a local ministry with kids in Rock the World’s home town of Ambridge, PA
; Student Ministry Professionals, a series of classes that train leaders for student ministries, and "Next Step" retreats for kids in middle school
through high school. Rock the World's activities exist predominantly inside the USA
but extend globally.
Mission of Rock the World
The stated mission of Rock the World is to “multiply young Christian leaders.” The longer version of their mission states “Rock the World’s mission is to mobilize young people to follow Jesus
, grow together in knowledge and love of God
, serve in the power of the Spirit, and impact the world for the Kingdom of God.” Both versions emphasize the capacity of Jesus' young disciples
to make more disciples. The long-term goal of RTWYMA is to ignite a spiritual awakening among young people on every continent.
Rock the World is not legally a part of any denomination. At its founding, Rock the World was informally associated with the Episcopal Church
. By the end of the 1990s this association had broadened to include a wide range of denominations. Although Rock the World is officially independent of any denomination, Anglican influence still finds expression through the involvement of so many Anglicans in the ministry.
, high school, and middle school young people, he saw the need for a new ministry that gave leverage to the energy, dedication, and fresh insight
of young Christian leaders. His published works include numerous articles and films, the best known of which are his 1995 article “Arresting the New Sexual McCarthyism” and his 1980 film, “Jesus, Head of the Church.” He is also known for 16 years of teaching youth ministry
courses as Associate Professor of Youth Ministry at Trinity School for Ministry, teaching there while serving in his former position as Rock the World’s Executive Director. In August 2010 he stepped down as Rock the World's Executive Director, and continues to enjoy the title of Director Emeritus.
's book of Acts
, chapter 17 verse 6. The story makes it clear that Paul and his friends were not trying to make trouble, but only trying to speak about Jesus and act according to the Kingdom of God. Obviously, sometimes this shook up things around them! When young followers of Jesus do the same thing today, it's not unusual for them to get the same result.
1. In 1990 Rock the World launched the Josiah Project, a two-summer leadership
program for college students. The main focus of this program is preparing students for a lifetime of leadership by giving them classroom training, hands-on experience, and the opportunity to launch new ministries. Josiah graduates are proving to be effective leaders: more than 90% of Josiah graduates continue to be involved in Christian ministry leadership today.
2. Epicenter is a one-year internship program, launched in 2004. This one-year internship focuses on student ministry leadership training, and also includes elements of cross-cultural ministry and planting of micro-church movements.
3. Beginning in 1991, Rock the World's Student Ministry Professionals Program offered the first Master's Degree in youth ministry anywhere in the worldwide Anglican Communion
, done in partnership with Trinity School for Ministry. Graduates prepare for a career in youth ministry through the local church. Following a 2005 hiatus in Rock the World’s partnership with TSM, this program is currently in a state of transition as Rock the World seeks a stable partnership with a fully accredited academic institution
.
re:mix is an annual "Kingdom Outbreak" conference launched in 2003 for young adults and high school youth. re:mix founder Meredith Borel, also a Josiah Project graduate, says “re:mix helps young people go further in with God and further out to spread Jesus' message of the Kingdom of God both locally and globally.”
Other programs that started within Rock the World have spun off to become their own ministries, such as inneracts. Incubation of new ministries is continuing as trainees and graduates are inspired to pursue fresh initiatives.
s, such as Striking Fire, a weekend training event, and Next Step, a retreat for middle school and high school kids themed on following Jesus. Rock the World also engages in various global initiatives, having consistent partnerships with All Nations Family and Anglican Global Mission Partners .
s, and other contexts. Aside from founder Whis Hays, Rock the World’s longest-serving employees have been (in order of longevity) Meredith Borel, Steven Tighe, Carol Jaros, and Cynthia Seeliger Seifert. Some graduates especially well-known in student ministry circles include Holly Rankin Zaher, Aran Walter, Joel Tassie, Dixon Kinser and Jack Gabig. Thousands of young people are touched by the ministries of their graduates, and hundreds decide to follow Jesus every year.
Christian ministry
In Christianity, ministry is an activity carried out by Christians to express or spread their faith. 2003's Encyclopedia of Christianity defines it as "carrying forth Christ's mission in the world", indicating that it is "conferred on each Christian in baptism." It is performed by all Christians...
that trains young people as leader
Leader
A leader is one who influences or leads others.Leader may also refer to:- Newspapers :* Leading article, a piece of writing intended to promote an opinion, also called an editorial* The Leader , published 1909–1967...
s. Their core training programs create an ongoing network of relationships where the grads and trainees collaborate to offer events and conferences
Meeting
In a meeting, two or more people come together to discuss one or more topics, often in a formal setting.- Definitions :An act or process of coming together as an assembly for a common purpose....
, generate new ministries, and support one another in life and ministry.
Among other programs, Rock the World runs the Josiah Project, a summer collegiate leadership initiative; re:mix, an annual conference for young people ages 14–30; Epicenter, a year-long internship for high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
graduates and young adults; Ambridge Youth Ignite, a local ministry with kids in Rock the World’s home town of Ambridge, PA
Ambridge, Pennsylvania
Ambridge is a borough in Beaver County in Western Pennsylvania, incorporated in 1905 and named after the American Bridge Company. Ambridge is located 16 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, alongside the Ohio River. In 1910, 5,205 people lived in Ambridge; in 1920, 12,730 people lived there, and in...
; Student Ministry Professionals, a series of classes that train leaders for student ministries, and "Next Step" retreats for kids in middle school
Middle school
Middle School and Junior High School are levels of schooling between elementary and high schools. Most school systems use one term or the other, not both. The terms are not interchangeable...
through high school. Rock the World's activities exist predominantly inside the USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
but extend globally.
Mission of Rock the World
The stated mission of Rock the World is to “multiply young Christian leaders.” The longer version of their mission states “Rock the World’s mission is to mobilize young people to follow Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
, grow together in knowledge and love of God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
, serve in the power of the Spirit, and impact the world for the Kingdom of God.” Both versions emphasize the capacity of Jesus' young disciples
Disciple (Christianity)
In Christianity, the disciples were the students of Jesus during his ministry. While Jesus attracted a large following, the term disciple is commonly used to refer specifically to "the Twelve", an inner circle of men whose number perhaps represented the twelve tribes of Israel...
to make more disciples. The long-term goal of RTWYMA is to ignite a spiritual awakening among young people on every continent.
Rock the World is not legally a part of any denomination. At its founding, Rock the World was informally associated with the Episcopal Church
Episcopal Church (United States)
The Episcopal Church is a mainline Anglican Christian church found mainly in the United States , but also in Honduras, Taiwan, Colombia, Ecuador, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, the British Virgin Islands and parts of Europe...
. By the end of the 1990s this association had broadened to include a wide range of denominations. Although Rock the World is officially independent of any denomination, Anglican influence still finds expression through the involvement of so many Anglicans in the ministry.
Founder
The Rev. Whis Hays founded Rock the World in 1989. After 14 years in ministry with collegeCollege
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
, high school, and middle school young people, he saw the need for a new ministry that gave leverage to the energy, dedication, and fresh insight
Insight
Insight is the understanding of a specific cause and effect in a specific context. Insight can be used with several related meanings:*a piece of information...
of young Christian leaders. His published works include numerous articles and films, the best known of which are his 1995 article “Arresting the New Sexual McCarthyism” and his 1980 film, “Jesus, Head of the Church.” He is also known for 16 years of teaching youth ministry
Youth ministry
Youth ministry, also commonly referred to as Youth group, is an age-specific religious ministry and is the way in which a faith group, or other religious organization involves and engages with the young people who attend its place of worship, or live in its community...
courses as Associate Professor of Youth Ministry at Trinity School for Ministry, teaching there while serving in his former position as Rock the World’s Executive Director. In August 2010 he stepped down as Rock the World's Executive Director, and continues to enjoy the title of Director Emeritus.
Executive Director
Matt Sweet assumed the role of Rock the World's Executive Director on August 6, 2010. He is a graduate of Rock the World's Student Ministry Professionals Program, and served on Rock the World's Board 2003-2009, including 3 years as Board Chair.Name
The organization derives its name from the BibleBible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
's book of Acts
Acts of the Apostles
The Acts of the Apostles , usually referred to simply as Acts, is the fifth book of the New Testament; Acts outlines the history of the Apostolic Age...
, chapter 17 verse 6. The story makes it clear that Paul and his friends were not trying to make trouble, but only trying to speak about Jesus and act according to the Kingdom of God. Obviously, sometimes this shook up things around them! When young followers of Jesus do the same thing today, it's not unusual for them to get the same result.
Primary Ministries
Rock the World has 3 core training programs:1. In 1990 Rock the World launched the Josiah Project, a two-summer leadership
Leadership
Leadership has been described as the “process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task". Other in-depth definitions of leadership have also emerged.-Theories:...
program for college students. The main focus of this program is preparing students for a lifetime of leadership by giving them classroom training, hands-on experience, and the opportunity to launch new ministries. Josiah graduates are proving to be effective leaders: more than 90% of Josiah graduates continue to be involved in Christian ministry leadership today.
2. Epicenter is a one-year internship program, launched in 2004. This one-year internship focuses on student ministry leadership training, and also includes elements of cross-cultural ministry and planting of micro-church movements.
3. Beginning in 1991, Rock the World's Student Ministry Professionals Program offered the first Master's Degree in youth ministry anywhere in the worldwide Anglican Communion
Anglican Communion
The Anglican Communion is an international association of national and regional Anglican churches in full communion with the Church of England and specifically with its principal primate, the Archbishop of Canterbury...
, done in partnership with Trinity School for Ministry. Graduates prepare for a career in youth ministry through the local church. Following a 2005 hiatus in Rock the World’s partnership with TSM, this program is currently in a state of transition as Rock the World seeks a stable partnership with a fully accredited academic institution
Academic institution
Academic institution is an educational institution dedicated to education and research, which grants academic degrees. See also academy and university.- Types of academic institutions include :...
.
Incubated Ministries
Rock the World has become the platform for a number of new ministries launched by their graduates and trainees, some of which become a permanent part of Rock the World. One of these is Ambridge Youth Ignite (AYI) , a holistic outreach to children and middle school youth in Rock the World's hometown of Ambridge, PA. AYI was created in 2004 by Josiah Project students Eric and Shea Rankin Geisbert who met while participating in Rock the World's Josiah Project.re:mix is an annual "Kingdom Outbreak" conference launched in 2003 for young adults and high school youth. re:mix founder Meredith Borel, also a Josiah Project graduate, says “re:mix helps young people go further in with God and further out to spread Jesus' message of the Kingdom of God both locally and globally.”
Other programs that started within Rock the World have spun off to become their own ministries, such as inneracts. Incubation of new ministries is continuing as trainees and graduates are inspired to pursue fresh initiatives.
Other ministries
Rock the World also offers various retreats and weekend leadership training seminarSeminar
Seminar is, generally, a form of academic instruction, either at an academic institution or offered by a commercial or professional organization. It has the function of bringing together small groups for recurring meetings, focusing each time on some particular subject, in which everyone present is...
s, such as Striking Fire, a weekend training event, and Next Step, a retreat for middle school and high school kids themed on following Jesus. Rock the World also engages in various global initiatives, having consistent partnerships with All Nations Family and Anglican Global Mission Partners .
Network
Rock the World’s trainees and graduates are spread out across most of the United States and several foreign countries, serving in churches, schoolSchool
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
s, and other contexts. Aside from founder Whis Hays, Rock the World’s longest-serving employees have been (in order of longevity) Meredith Borel, Steven Tighe, Carol Jaros, and Cynthia Seeliger Seifert. Some graduates especially well-known in student ministry circles include Holly Rankin Zaher, Aran Walter, Joel Tassie, Dixon Kinser and Jack Gabig. Thousands of young people are touched by the ministries of their graduates, and hundreds decide to follow Jesus every year.