 Mission
The You Can Make It Youth Crusade is an extension of the Youth Ministry of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Nashville, Tennessee. The Youth Crusade is an oasis of hope for youth of every community, ethnicity, economic status and gender. The Youth Crusade in itself is a culmination of yearly activities of the Youth Ministry of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church.
Vision Statement:
The Youth Crusade exists to provide youth with resources to equip and empower them for all aspects of life as it relates to spiritual, emotional, educational, physical and financial well-being.
The “You Can Make It Youth Crusade embodies the vision of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, for its focus is to bring relevant and holistic ministry to the youth of the community who maybe at risk because of academic deficiency, violence, physical and sexual abuse, drug abuse, or socioeconomic status among other causes. The “You Can Make It Youth” Crusade was birthed in 1998 by the visionary of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Bishop Joseph W. Walker, III. Discerning a need to provide relevant outreach in an effort to save the next generation, the You Can Make It Youth Crusade established an aggressive partnership with youth, parents, teachers and community leaders to provide the “forgotten,” our youth, with resources and strategies to ensure future success academically, financially, physically and spiritually.
Equipping Youth Academically – Each year, hundreds of area youth are provided the necessary schools supplies to ensure they are off to a good start at the beginning of the academic calendar year. Throughout the year, volunteers within the Youth Ministry provide general and Gateway tutoring to ensure our youth are prepared and equipped to compete academically. Programs and services are also offered to assist parents and students who may have special education needs. The Summer Enrichment Program is hosted annually and serves to provide additional support in areas such as reading, math and comprehension.
Equipping Youth Financially – Stewardship is key to ensuring our youth are equipped to generate and manage wealth. The Youth Ministry affords youth an opportunity to learn basic principles of financial management, college/retirement  planning, saving/investing and entrepreneurship. In 2002, through a partnership with AmSouth Bank, youth established a Youth Savings Bank, promoting discipline in saving/ and investing.. Youth also participate in Financial Aid and Teen Business Owners Workshops.
Equipping Youth Physically – Above all else, our desire is for our youth to be in health and to prosper physically. However, our nation is currently experiencing an obesity epidemic and youth are being plagued as well. Several programs have been established to promote an active lifestyle through recreational sports such as baseball, basketball and football.
Spiritually – At the heart of the program is a mandate to ensure our youth grow and develop spiritually. Youth attend weekly bible study designed to focus specifically on topics youth face today. The sessions are designed to facilitate discussion, provide insight and guidance through sound biblical principals. Youth are also encouraged to develop discipline in regards to regular bible study attendance, daily personal devotion and bible study. The Youth Ministry also sponsors a “True Love Waits” Workshop with the objective to promote abstinence. Counseling is also available to youth needing assistance as they struggle with anger management, divorce, peer pressure, and other pressures confronting them.
Community Involvement –Youth are encouraged to become responsible citizens and to give back to their community. Youth are involved in a variety of initiatives to ensure they remain attached to their community and understand their role in preserving, rebuilding and strengthening the community. Youth participate in such activities as Nursing Home visits, Can Food Drives, Feeding the Homeless and providing lawn/yard care services to seniors, etc.
Parental Support – Because parents play a significant role in lives of youth, one of the goals of the Youth Crusade is to ensure parents have available parenting resources. Each year “Focus on the Family and Parenting” Workshops are offered as an informative  forum for parents to gain knowledge, critical support and parenting strategies for family care and healing.
Since its inception, the “You Can Make It” Youth Crusade, in conjunction with the Youth Ministry of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, has positively impacted the lives of thousands of youth and families throughout Davidson County and surrounding areas. A progressive approach, a strong partnership with parents and relevant programs that support the total well being of our youth has made the difference.
For more information on the “You Can Make It” Youth Crusade or to find out how you or your organization can sponsor this annual event, please contact Darrell Walker, Youth Director, at 615-254-7296 or via email at dkwalker@mtzionnashville.org |
