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What Is the YSA Initiative?
What Is the YSA Initiative?
The Lord needs all members to help in the work of salvation in their wards and stakes (see 1 Corinthians 12:12–27). Men and women who have not yet married or who are divorced or widowed make up a significant portion of Church membership. It is important for all to find hope through the Atonement of Jesus Christ (see Ether 12:4).
The Church has placed an added emphasis on Single members, especially Young Single Adults. Single members have an opportunity to invite all to receive the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They do this by sharing the gospel, strengthening new and returning members, and reaching out to those who are not participating. (See General Handbook of Instructions - Chapter 23.)
Some young single adults move frequently. Young single adults may periodically organize activities to find and welcome other young single adults in the stake. These activities may also be done with neighboring stakes. We encourage all leaders to review the General Handbook of Instructions, Section 14 - Single Members.
To read the entire communication, follow this link!
Overview
Overview
The First Presidency has given approval for areas to establish gathering places for young single adults based on area needs. All gathering places must be approved by the Area Presidency and overseen by stake presidents and bishops. A limited number of stakes have been approved to participate in a pilot test of young single adult initiatives in 2021. The purpose of the pilot test is to explore additional ways to strengthen faith in Jesus Christ, encourage belonging, and meet the needs of Young Single Adults.
Mesa Az YSA East Stake Initiative & Ministering Tools
Mesa Az YSA East Stake Initiative & Ministering Tools
As a component of this YSA Initiative authorized by the First Presidency, the Mesa Az YSA East Stake has developed technology and software tools to assist in identifying, contacting, and ministering to the YSAs within our stake boundary. These tools are a collection of online resources that combine information from the Church’s membership records, survey information, and knowledge from ward leaders. This information is enabling ward and stake leaders to help connect YSAs to other church members, invite them to events within the Mesa Az YSA East Stake, and connect them to classes and events at the Red Mountain Institute. Additionally, the YSA Initiative & Ministering Tools provide a variety of reports that assist Ward and Stake Leaders with gathering, encouraging, and inviting YSAs back into activity.
The YSA Initiative is being developed under the direction of the Mesa YSA East Stake which includes approximately 1,700 Young Single Adults organized into seven wards. These YSA wards are fed by thirteen home stakes (or geographic units) which hold the membership records for another approximately 5,500 Young Single Adults.
YSA Challenges?
YSA Challenges?
Young Single Adult activity levels in the church have been declining dramatically over recent years. It is estimated that only 20% of YSAs with their membership records in a Geographic Ward (formerly Home unit) actually attend that Geographic Ward. Average YSA attendance in the Mesa Az YSA East Stake is 48-52%, and collectively YSA activity approximates 25% within the North America Southwest Area and Region.
YSAs often slip away from activity after leaving the youth programs in their geographic wards (Home units). As they go away to college, to work, return from serving a mission, or serve in the military, many lose contact and activity with their wards.
Non-YSA Stake Leaders often report a noticeable gap in ministering options for YSAs in their geographic wards (Home units). They report that YSAs often “fall through the cracks”. It can also be an overwhelming task for YSA ward leaders to minister to the volume of needs and rapid turnover within their own YSA wards. Area church leaders have said that a solution to these challenges will not come from the top. It will come from the bottom up.
"The YSA Plan ... won't be imposed from the top down ... it will be built from the ground up."
"The YSA Plan ... won't be imposed from the top down ... it will be built from the ground up."
(Elder Piper, President of the North America Southwest Area Presidency Coordinating Council Zoom meeting with President Heap and other Stake Presidency members 2020)
YSA Initiative and Ministering Tools Goal
YSA Initiative and Ministering Tools Goal
The development of technology tools and the creation of a gathering place incorporating the Red Mountain Institute play an integral part of the YSA Initiative and Ministering Tools goal. The implementation of the YSA Initiative and Ministering Tools follows President Nelson’s inspired instruction that “Good Information Leads to Good Inspiration.”
The Mesa Az YSA East Stake Initiative team is continually distributing the tools and training all Stake and Ward leaders within the YSA East Stake and to the Stake and Ward leaders in each of the 13 Geographic or feeder stakes.
We are here to help you implement the YSA Initiative Tools and assist in identifying, inviting, and strengthening each YSA within your stewardships.
How Does Your Stake Fit Into Our YSA Initiative?
How Does Your Stake Fit Into Our YSA Initiative?
As the blue circle in this graphic indicates, there are 13 Geographic family or "feeder" stakes that may transition Young Single Adults to our Mesa Az YSA East Stake. Individual Young Single Adults can also move into our community from outside one of these 13 geographic stakes. These YSAs then reside in one of 7 ward boundaries represented in the inner circle that comprises the Mesa Az YSA East Stake.
Mesa Az YSA East Stake Leadership and Ward Leadership married adult couples are referred by Stake Presidencies from the 13 geographic feeder stakes and called under the direction of the YSA East Stake Presidency who holds Priesthood key responsibilities for the YSA East Stake. Approximately 50 married individuals currently serve in one of these YSA East Stake leadership capacities.
Young Single Adults within our YSA East Stake also fill a variety of leadership positions including the Stake High Council, Stake Organization Counselors and Secretaries, Red Mountain Institute Council Advisory positions, or membership on one of more than a dozen Stake Committees. YSAs also serve in Ward Bishoprics, as Elders Quorum and Relief Society Presidents, Counselors, and Secretaries. They also serve in all Ward Leadership positions including Family History Chairs, Ward Clerks and Assistant Ward Clerks, Sunday School Presidencies and Instructors, Quorum and Class instruction, and Home Evening and Activity planning committees.
Many YSAs and Geographic Stake Leaders report that individuals in the YSA Stake are afforded leadership opportunities that may not be available to them in the geographic Wards and Stakes.
The Geographic Unit Stake President may assign one of his counselors and a High Councilor to support young single adults. He may also ask the Geographic Stake Relief Society President to assign a presidency member to support single adults and young single adults. The same leaders could be assigned to both groups.
The stake presidency pays particular attention to young single adults—as they do all members of the rising generation. We encourage all leaders to review the General Handbook of Instructions, Section 14 - Single Members.
The Role of Ward Leadership
The Role of Ward Leadership
Under the direction of the Stake Presidency within the 13 Geographic Stakes, the individual Geographic Ward Bishoprics, Elders Quorum Presidencies, and Relief Society Presidencies provide valuable information regarding the YSA members within their Ward. This information follows the line of authority of Priesthood keys and ecclesiastical responsibility as outlined within the Church's General Handbook of Instruction.
The information provided through the integration of the Geographic Ward and YSA Ward leaders represents a combined One Work of Love in identifying, ministering to, and meeting the needs of these YSA members.
For a more detailed understanding of the roles and responsibilities of these Geographic Ward Leadership, please visit our Ward Leaders webpage.
The Role of The YSA Adult Advisors
The Role of The YSA Adult Advisors
Under the direction of Elder Anderson, a North America Southwest Area Authority, Geographic Stakes in the North America Southwest Area are to call one or more Married Adult Couples to serve as YSA Adult Advisors for their Geographic Stake or unit.
These couples serve as an important interface and link between the Geographic Stake and our YSA East Young Single Adult Stake. Each Geographic Stake may in turn call additional YSA Adult Advisors at the Geographic Ward level to supplement the efforts of their Stake YSA Adult Advisors. These YSA Adult Advisors participate as representatives from the Geographic Stake in our YSA Stake and Ward activities and may participate in YSA Ward Leadership Meetings by invitation.
For a more detailed understanding of the roles and responsibilities of these YSA Advisors, please visit our YSA Adult Advisors webpage.
Back to the Overview of the Ministering Initiative & Tools
Back to the Overview of the Ministering Initiative & Tools
The new YSA ministering tools that have been rolled out within our Stake are designed to identify each young single adult’s areas of interest/need and can help our stake leaders provide an association through enhanced events and activities. It is vitally important that each member of our stake complete the questionnaire!
The program of Ministering helps us make sure all Church members have a friend they can lean on in times of need. Ministering helps us follow Jesus’s example of how to love our neighbor as ourselves. We visit each other, pray for each other, serve each other, and comfort each other. Ministering is learning about and attending to others’ needs. It is doing the Lord’s work. When we minister, we are representing Jesus Christ and acting as His agents to watch over, lift, and strengthen those around us.
For a more detailed understanding and overview of the Ministering Initiative and tools, please visit our Ministering webpage.
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