What is Uturn?

Uturn is a response to the grim reality that conventional youth ministry is failing to reach millions of youth across the nation who are dying without the hope of salvation. If current trends continue, only 4% of those born between 1977 and 1994 will be reached for Christ.* Uturn can be best explained in four parts: Purpose, Power, Perception and Pastor.
  - Thom Rainer, The Bridger Generation
    (Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1997)

Purpose

The purpose of Uturn is to dramatically increase the fruitfulness of local church youth ministry in terms of salvations, Holy Spirit baptisms, discipleship and church attendance. The Bible is clear that barrenness and unfruitfulness are not God's will (Exodus 23:25, John 15:2). Jesus taught us that God is glorified when we bear much fruit (John 15:8), and abiding in Him will produce large results (John 15:5). This is true for churches as well as individuals.

Jesus also taught us that we don't lack immediate opportunity. He said in John 4:35, "Do not say, 'Four months, and then comes the harvest.' Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!" Churches that don't see the harvest or prepare for a large harvest are limited by their own vision and faith.

Jesus gave a picture of the importance of preparing for large harvest in Luke 5. This is the story where Jesus tells Simon to 1.) Launch deep, 2.) Let down his nets and, 3.) Catch fish. "Launching deep" speaks of investing the time and effort to go after the big catch. The key is expectancy! "Letting down all of your nets" speaks of always preparing for the best-case scenario. It's a "no holds barred" approach. "Catch fish" speaks of being certain of the results. We're not fishing; we're catching. Jesus conveyed His intention for us is to use the same approach in evangelism when He told Simon in verse 10, "...from now on you will catch men." Thus, the purpose of Uturn is to catch large amounts of youth for the kingdom of God.

Power

The power of Uturn speaks of what we offer to the world. There is no question in anyone's' mind that there are a lot of people who are spiritually dead, on their way to hell and in need of a solution outside of themselves. Most Christians agree that God has provided a solution to the world's problems, but few believers act as thought the gospel of Jesus Christ is the only answer to the world's problems. We act as if Christianity is an option. Jesus made it clear that there is only one road to God when He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father without Me." (John 14:6). Unbelievers need to be convinced that Jesus is the only way to get off the path of destruction. Thus, believers must be convinced the world has no hope without the message we proclaim. There is no other answer. The gospel is the very power of God to save all those who believe it (Romans 1:16). The one and only power Uturn has to offer is the one and only power that can solve the world's problems...the gospel of Jesus Christ. No Compromise! No Apologies!

Perception

The perception of Uturn refers to the vehicle by which the power is delivered. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:22-24, "To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some." Uturn helps local churches become as youth that they might win the youth. Though we refuse to compromise the message, we neither want to turn people away before they have a chance to hear it. 1 Samuel 16:7 says, "For the Lord looks at the heart." It is true the Lord looks at the heart, but it is just as true that man looks at the outward appearance. When our outward appearance does not relate to people, they tend to turn a deaf ear to what we are saying.

Much like the ministry of Jesus, the Uturn model centers around the "big event." The saying, "Crowds attract crowds," is especially true with young people. Therefore just as Jesus told Simon to let down all of his nets, a local church should begin to search for a large facility to hold all of the young people God will bring. The big event is where large numbers of youth will eat, have fun, hear the gospel and be saved, healed and delivered. Out of the big event will come other meetings with smaller groups to discuss things more in depth. Jesus said in Mark 4:11, "To you [disciples] it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside [crowds], all things come in parables." Because Uturn naturally attracts large numbers of youth, a "youth friendly" environment is easily created. Uturn sends the message out to youth that God is a good God who loves young people. Most churches tell youth that they love them...Uturn will show them.

Pastor

Because Uturn is designed to reach large numbers of youth, it warrants and requires significant human and financial resources. Such resources call for the congregation to take ownership of the vision. Ephesians 4:11,12 says that Jesus Himself "gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists and some pastors and teachers for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry." In a local church, the senior pastor has the God-given anointing to influence the whole congregation to be involved at such a level. Youth leaders do not have the influence to excite the people of the church to pray, volunteer or give the amount of money it will take to catch a multitude of youth.

One of the biggest flaws of modern day youth ministry is that most youth leave the church after graduation from high school. The blame for this is usually cast on the youth leaders, though they are rarely the cause. Malachi 4:6 says, "...And he will turn the hearts of the father to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers." Notice that before the children' hearts are turned to the fathers, the fathers' hearts must be turned to the children. The senior pastor is the "father" of the local church. When a senior pastor turns his attention, abilities and influence to reach out to young people, the young people's hearts are turned to love their senior pastor and thus be more likely to stay in the church. In John 21, Jesus asks Peter three times if he loved Him. Each time after Peter responded, Jesus gave him a command. They were in order, "Feed My lambs," "Tend My sheep," and "Feed My sheep." You'll notice Jesus commanded Peter to take care of the young first. Uturn will flourish in a church where a senior pastor realizes that he is called and accountable to the Lord to pastor the whole church, not just the adults.

So you want to be involved? Contact the Uturn office to find out you can serve in this incredible opportunity to reach out to the youth of the East Bay area. There are many different areas for each person to serve in. We want each believer that is called to Uturn to be fulfill in his or her ministry. We believe in putting a square peg in a square hole. Everyone is called to serve.

The Facts

High School meets
Sunday 5:00 pm
at East Bay Fellowship
2615 Camino Tassajara, Danville.

Middle School meets
Saturday 7 pm
Sunday 10:45 am
at East Bay Fellowship.

The UTURN building is open 30 minutes before and after each service with Arcade, Cyber Cafe, Skate park and Basketball.

Contact Information

www.eastbayuturn.com

James Craft, Associate Pastor
Email address: jcraft@eastbayfellowship.org
Phone contact: 925-736-5108 ext. 273

Jenny Bennett, Administrator
Email address: jbennett@eastbayfellowship.org
Phone contact: 925-736-5108 ext. 270