Cinco de Mayo was on a Sunday so we jumped at the best opportunity possible between the youth (6th-12th grades) and the senior saints (55+) to share games, laughter, prizes, stories, and table-life to TACO-bout our faith.

We opted for a taco bar catered by our local Moe’s Southwest Grill, complemented by homemade queso prepared by the Family Dinner Team. Despite initially expecting 44 attendees, we ended up accommodating 57, just enough without leftovers. Our choice of Moe’s Southwest Grill was not only for the delicious food but also to support our local community as a good neighbor, and we were pleasantly surprised with extra chips.

Youth and parents decorated the space the day before. Youth were recruited and individually coached beforehand for the welcome table, opening and closing prayers, led the games, were represented at each table of ten, and made clean-up a breeze. The Family Ministry Dinner Team, who provide dinner for students and children on Wednesday nights, served,  decorated, and directed the clean up.

We used ‘What’s your taco name’ for those waiting to go through the serving line; ‘What’s on your phone?’ for the last game with faith book prizes; and a ‘Pass the Prize’ with prizes of $10 gift cards to the local Mexican restaurant across the street.

Schedule:
5:30-5:45pm Welcome, Pass the Prize game (youth), Dinner prayer (youth)
5:45-6:15pm Dinner
6:15-6:30pm Phone Fun game (youth)
6:30-6:50pm TACO-bout our faith (3 questions modeled by a youth and his grandmother)
6:50pm Closing prayer (youth)

The TACO-bout our Faith questions were posted on each table in an acrylic frame and written by one of our youth with his parents and his grandmother. The youth, dressed in a taco costume, graciously introduced his grandmother and modelled asking and answering 3 of the questions. This was my FAVORITE part of the event.

Things we learned:
a) It took 5 minutes per table of 10 to be served on one side. SO, we will limit the food options next time to shorten the wait time.
b) Paying to have the food prepared and picked up rather than delivered or potlucked saved time, energy, worry about enough food, and the preparation of the food. SO, we will budget for next time.
c) More senior saints attended than youth. SO, at least one youth was at each table.
d) We’ll absolutely do this again as a theme night ‘cuz we’re still hearing great feedback in all areas of communication now that we are weeks beyond the event. SO, Valentine’s Day is on a Friday night in 2025. We’ll schedule next year’s Senior Date Night With The Youth on that Sunday night with an Italian theme for decorations and food.
e) The youth were amazing at leading and enjoying the games. SO, we plan a visit from a ‘guy I know’ who teaches how to project your voice at one of the summer Wednesday night youth groups for a life skill everyone can use.
f) Youth invited their grandparents and grandparents invited their youth. We’ll leverage those relationships in invites even more next time.

Intentionally Multigenerational is another of the five core values of our local church. We seek to engage every age group with the gospel leading to salvation; intentionally connecting age groups with one another; passionate and accessible blending worship to foster multigenerational appeal; excellent age-level discipleship ministries; church-wide gatherings friends to all ages. This event knocked it out of the park.

Take aways included a TACO prayer guide card and a maraca as a prayer prompt to be in prayer for the youth at each table to finish the school year strong and seize their summer for the cause of Christ.

How do you intentionally bridge the generations to start relationships and take multi-generational relationships to the next level?

“I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.” Psalm 89:1