YOUTH LEADER #1
A youth pastor named Bill was serving in the children's ministry when he met a young boy named Johnny. He saw something special in that young man and nicknamed the boy, "Pastor Johnny," because he was sure God had a calling over his life, even at that young age.
YOUTH LEADER #2
A couple of years later, when Johnny promoted to middle school and joined the youth group, the student pastor Mike encouraged Johnny's older brother Ben to launch an FCA club at their local high school, which was immediately successful.
YOUTH LEADER #3
As Johnny reached 8th grade, the student ministry night changed when they met, which necessitated Johnny finding a different youth group in town that worked better for his midweek schedule. In the first month with that new youth group, Johnny felt a call from God to start a Bible Club at his middle school.
His new youth pastor, Josh, encouraged him, and Johnny launched the first Bible Club just before the Thanksgiving break. Eighty students showed up for the first meeting! The following week, 120 students came. Johnny was blown away! After the break, Johnny shared the Gospel during a meeting, and 20 students gave their lives to Jesus.
OUR INFLUENCE IN STUDENT'S FAITH
What's so great about this story? Well, aside from the fact that God is using this middle school boy to spread the gospel on his school campus, it's worth noting that three different youth pastors from different churches invested in this young man's life.
The thing is, students today need more than one faith-filled leader who will invest deeply in their lives. We are sometimes tempted to think that our students need us-and just us-to grow and become all they should be for the kingdom.
YOUTH MINISTRY IS A TEAM SPORT
The fact is, students need you AND the youth pastor down the street, or older adult volunteer, or a Christian teacher. Our individual influence is compounded when we build into the next generation as a united community of faith.
At NNYM, we love to remind each other that youth ministry is a team sport. Let's embrace that and see what God will do when we collaborate and share the job of impacting young lives for the kingdom!
P.S. All three youth leaders continue to encourage and equip Johnny as he leads the ministry at his school. Go Team!
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Travis Deans is the Northeast Regional Coordinator Pennsylvania coordinator for the National Network of Youth Ministries, founder of 9 Month Missions Trip, and pretty much a networking guru.
