A group of youth pastors from several area churches is working together to spread the gospel and support ministries countywide.

Members of the group – composed of youth leaders from Adamsville Baptist Church, First United Methodist Church in Lampasas, Grace Fellowship, Kempner United Methodist Church and New Covenant Church, along with volunteers from the His Kids youth organization – said they hope to overcome the barriers that sometimes develop between different congregations and help more people learn about Jesus.

Called P512, the team takes its name from Psalm 5: 12, which says, “For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O Lord, You surround him with favor as a shield.” The name also refers to the Central Texas 512 area code, a group spokesman said, to emphasize that youth pastors intend to work together in Lampasas and surrounding areas, not just in their individual churches.

Ministers have hundreds of kids to develop as followers of Christ, Grace Fellowship junior high pastor Tony Marquez said, and P512 members believe God will bless united efforts to reach those who are not involved in church activities.

“We realized our collective efforts were better than our individual efforts,” Grace Fellowship youth and children’s pastor David Stone said.

The pastors group gives ministers an opportunity to share ideas and teaching materials, as well as to offer each other encouragement, said Christopher Lirette, director of youth ministries and contemporary worship leader for First United Methodist Church.

P512 members said they are more interested in the youth’s faith than in their church membership.

“Our goal wouldn’t be for them to go to our youth group but for them to grow in their relationship with God,” Adamsville Baptist Church youth pastor Marshall Fields said.

Once a month, typically on a Saturday evening, one of the P512 member churches hosts “Elevation,” a praise and Bible study service.

The pastors group also is organizing Disciple Now, a communitywide time for youth to gather for worship, Christian teaching and spiritual growth. Disciple Now will take place Feb. 16-19, with activities at Lampasas Middle School’s Bozarth-Fowler Gymnasium, as well as in host homes where families will share spiritual lessons and talk to students about their faith.

Disciple Now will begin with a parents night, in which youth participants’ families are invited to attend a worship service. Ministers hope to spark a “spiritual renewal” in Lampasas County, New Covenant Church senior high pastor Brant Martin said, by introducing not just teenagers but whole families to Christ.

Stone also said P512 members are working together to help youth mature in their Christian faith.

“Our focus is on equipping our students to serve their peers,” he said.

In the long term, Stone said, the pastors group hopes to spur youth toward increased volunteerism, work at Lampasas Mission and other acts of service to their community.

Those interested in joining cooperative ministry efforts – even if their congregations do not have youth groups – are encouraged to contact one of the P512 members, or the churches they represent.