Roseann Sworts

…Twelve area churches have found strength and resources in working together, according to Roseann Sworts, Alle-Kiski Youth Network Coordinator. It all began in 2002 with a simple meeting of youth leaders. “When we first began meeting, we didn’t have an agenda,” Roseann tells in a letter to other churches, “We just wanted to talk about youth ministry with others who are also in the trenches.”

Very few churches have a large number of youth and most all youth leaders are church volunteers who give of their personal time to oversee youth ministry programs. One of the greatest hurdles these leaders face is providing relevant programs and events. Roseann Sworts says, “You can’t do it on your own,” she said, “it must be done through all the churches.” The early youth leader meetings in 2002 led to an unusual spirit of cooperation that grew among many diverse churches from several area communities. Out of that the Alle-Kiski Youth Network was formed.

BIG Arena worship time

At first the meetings were to share ideas and resources with each other. One youth leader brought Travis Deans to one of the early meetings. He is an Associate Director of Teens for Christ and Network Coordinator for Westmoreland County Youth Network. He was able to offer partnering with the local youth leaders, help build their network and give resources. A few months later the group decided to bring the different youth groups together for monthly events and programming. Out of that evolved the BIG Arena.

The BIG Arena is now four and half years old and growing. The youth leaders meet and plan BIG Arena events every month. They meet at a different Network churches the last Sunday of every month for two hours (6-8 p.m.). The leaders set a different theme for every month. That may be speakers, musical events, and games. They have a bible study, break up into small groups to discuss the topic and then have worship. Currently, “Undone”, a local youth band made up of kids from different churches, lead the worship. A well known musical group, the Broken Yoke, recently played at the BIG Arena meeting to over 200 teenagers.

Youth studying at BIG Arena meeting

Currently, churches from New Kensington, Arnold, Lower Burrell and Leechburg are part of the Network. Roseann, though, is continually approaching other churches to join the Network. “We are not about pulling kids away from their churches or youth groups,” she says in her letter. It is just the opposite. The mission is to strengthen the local church youth ministry.

There is no question that the Alle-Kiski Youth Network organization is already helping area youth leaders. The youth leaders help each other discover resources and events that will help develop effective youth ministries. They realize it is important to establish a means of communicating to reach teenagers on common ground. Roseann encourages other youth leaders to take advantage of youth ministry training opportunities such as The CORE or the National Youth Workers Convention.

Area churches that are currently participating in the Network area Allegheny Valley Church of God, New Kensington; Kiski Valley Assembly of God, Leechburg; The River, A community Church, New Kensington; St. Andrews Episcopal Church, New Kensington; First Assembly of God, Arnold; St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, New Kensington; Puckety Presbyterian Church, Lower Burrell; Rivers of Life, New Kensington; United Presbyterian Church, New Kensington; Bethel United Methodist Church, Lower Burrell, Trinity United Christian Church, Lower Burrell, and Redeemer Church, New Kensington.

Roseann Sworts, Network Coordinator, invites any Alle-Kiski Valley churches to inquire about participating. She may be reached at 724-339-1323. She is a full time Youth Leader at Puckety Presbyterian Church in Lower Burrell.