PEER Teens began in 2014 when Christian Action for Empowering Church and Community (CAFECC) in Arua, Uganda gathered six teens from 6 different Arua churches for a workshop. A few representatives from PEER Servants were there and asked the teens what they thought Jesus meant when He taught us to pray “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). As the teens reflected on what this verse meant to them they began to dream of ways they could be a part of helping more people experience God’s kingdom right here on earth. They were energized by God’s instruction for them as young people to set the example for all believers through their “speech, conduct, love, faith and purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).
These six teens let these two verses, Matthew 6:10 and 1 Timothy 4:12, turn their lives upside down and PEER Teens Uganda was born. They accepted positions of leadership, and just like the early Christians in 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, they first gave themselves to the Lord and then they contributed from their small savings and got to work. They shared the vision with their friends and together they began looking for the vulnerable, the oppressed, the sick and the lonely in their communities to share Jesus’ love with in words and in action. They went to hospitals, prisons and homes to pray and share the gospel. They led Sunday worship services in boarding schools and taught children’s church. They formed a dance group which God used to help young people discover that there is joy in the kingdom of God.
PEER Teens Uganda grew in numbers and in kingdom impact. Soon teens in countries of other PEER Servants partners heard what God was doing through the teens in Uganda and expressed interest in being part of PEER Teens. CEMFIN in Zambia helped PEER Teens launch in Mongu, Zambia. CCT/Visions of Hope in the Philippines gathered the teens in their Home Care residences to start PEER Teens Philippines. PEER Servants in Boston helped PEER Teens USA begin. In 2016 members from the first four countries in the PEER Teens network gathered in the Philippines for Advancing the Kingdom Together 1, the first global PEER Teens conference. Soon teens in Bujumbura, Burundi joined. In South Sudan, PEER Servants’ partner, Special Action for Life Transformation (SALT) decided to begin their operations in Uganda among South Sudanese who had relocated there as a result of the conflict and instability in their country. So PEER Teens South Sudan began in Arua, Uganda. A few years later when peace returned to South Sudan, SALT relocated some of their operations to Yei, South Sudan. Today PEER Teens South Sudan has branches in both Arua, Uganda and Yei, South Sudan.
In 2019 PEER Teens from around the world along with a few PEER Servants volunteers gathered in Arua, for the second Advancing the Kingdom Together global conference (AKT2). This is where the PEER Teens drafted the PEER Teens Covenant which more clearly defined what it means to be a member of PEER Teens. Soon after AKT2 PEER Teens Kenya was launched by the PEER Servants volunteers residing in Nairobi, Kenya. Also as peace returned to South Sudan, SALT relocated some of their operations to Yei, South Sudan and PEER Teens South Sudan Yei branch was formed.
PEER Servants appointed two volunteers to be the PEER Teens Global Co-Facilitators, Jervie Magat from the Philippines and Jephtha Malela from Kenya to oversee the administration of this growing global youth empowerment movement. The third Advancing the Kingdom Together conference, AKT3 went virtual due to the pandemic and was held in August of 2021. The fourth global conference, AKT4 was held in August of 2022. These virtual conferences brought together PEER Teens in Burundi, Kenya, Peru, the Philippines, South Sudan Arua, South Sudan Yei, Uganda, the USA and Zambia. The teens bonded more closely as friends and inspired each other in ways to live out their shared vision.
The activities of the PEER Teens in the various affiliates have included prison outreach, hospital visitation, doing house repairs for the elderly and disabled, door to door evangelism, outreach to street dwellers, leading worship in secondary schools, teaching about Biblical justice, refugee ministry, skills training, focus on mental health and suicide prevention, provision of essential resources to those in crisis situations, Bible clubs for kids and so much more. PEER Teens are using the arts such as mime, dance, music, video production and crafts to help others discover the joy and wonder of following Christ.
The PEER Teens are part of a “rebellution.” They are rebelling against the low expectations that the world seems to have for teenagers. God’s expectation for teens and youth is to shine as examples in this world, and embrace the hard acts of obedience, remembering that whatever we do for the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the stranger, the sick, and the prisoners, we do for Jesus.
The history of PEER Teens is still being written as this generation of teens and youth strive to help more and more people all around the world experience God and find creative ways to extend His love all around the world.
What is distinctive about PEER Teens?
Engaged ~ PEER Teens are engaged in activities to extend more of the kingdom of heaven to earth.
Holistic ~ PEER Teens focus on economic, social, and spiritual transformation given how integral all three are to experiencing the kingdom of heaven on earth.
“Glocal” ~ PEER Teens come from around the world and work together globally when it is appropriate but also focus on how they can extend the kingdom locally into their own communities.
Diverse ~ PEER Teens come from different ethnicities, races, socioeconomic backgrounds, denominations, etc. to represent the full body of Christ.
Youth-led ~ PEER Teens is led by secondary and tertiary aged students, with support from PEER Servants volunteers and partners.
Mentored ~ Each PEER Teens group should have a Facilitator or Facilitators who are mature in their faith to mentor, encourage, support, and pray for them as they pursue their initiatives to extend the kingdom.
Aligned ~ PEER Teens and PEER Servants share common core values.
PEER Teens Core Values:
The Centrality of Christ – We want to honor Jesus in all we do and how we do it.
The Power of Prayer – We are most effective when we maintain close communication with God.
The Foundation of Fellowship – We recognize that relationships grow strong and enduring as we fellowship together.
The Value of Volunteers – We willingly and joyfully give our time, talents and creativity to serve the Lord together.
The Development of Disciples – We acknowledge it takes true disciples to extend the kingdom of heaven to earth.
The Impact of Inverted - We embrace Jesus' radical teachings on humility, service and sacrifice which are totally opposite of our natural inclinations.
The Reign of Reciprocity – We celebrate that all people have value and were created to enrich each other.
