3 Ways to Transform Your Life and Ministry

When I first started out in youth ministry, I remember how eager I was to start my first “real job” as a youth leader in a small, local church. As a passionate guy, I had dreams to build the biggest, best youth ministry program in town.

When I connected with the handful of other youth leaders in the area, my excitement must have been evident because the most seasoned youth leader in town pulled me aside to offer some encouragement—and a bit of advice.

Johnny, the youth leader in his 50s, who had been at his church for more than a decade, shared: “Don’t lose your excitement for youth ministry, but know that it’s going to take about three years for your youth group to reflect your personality and begin to take shape the way you envision it.”

At the time, I shrugged it off, tucking it away somewhere deep in the recesses of my memory, and proceeded to do things my way. It wasn’t until a few years later in my ministry career that I truly understood how right Johnny had been.

As I came to this realization, it led me to reflect and ask: “What exactly have I been modeling for my students? If this youth group has finally taken on my personality, what does that even look like?” It was a turning point in my ministry, a moment when I realized the weight of the example I was setting for the teenagers I was called to lead and the urgent need to take it more seriously.

I share this story to give you a similar word of encouragement as you faithfully lead your students. What you do and how you live will shape your youth ministry—whether that takes three years, more time, or less.

There are three things I wish I had started doing earlier in my ministries, and I challenge you to model these for your students.  

2. Care for the lost people in your life.

This might take the most intentionality of the three. Caring for someone requires getting into their lives, getting to know them and their needs, and being present with them. It could be a commitment to grab a cup of coffee with them (my personal favorite), invite them over for dinner, or go for a walk in your neighborhood and listen to what they want to talk about. Whatever you do, give yourself adequate time to be with them. Make it a priority.

3. Share the Gospel with the lost people in your life.

As you pray for their salvation and find ways to care, be sure to go all the way and share the Good News of Jesus Christ with them. Out loud. With words. I admire Paul’s commitment to sharing the Gospel:

 “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:2.

Is it evident to the lost people in your life how important Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection are to you? Are you so passionate about who He is and what He did for you that you can’t help but share the hope you have in Jesus?

I want to challenge you to commit to sharing the Gospel with the person you’ve already committed to pray for and resolve right now when and where you plan to have this conversation with them.

Be intentional along the way to share your stories and intentionally train your students to do these things as well. Before long, as your youth ministry begins to reflect your example, you’ll find yourself leading a Gospel Advancing movement in your city with students reaching their friends and making disciples.

I’m convinced it can be this simple: As you model a lifestyle of prayer, care, and sharing the Gospel, your students will see your example and follow it—and I’m convinced it won’t take you anywhere close to three years.

That’s a life worth living and a youth ministry program worth building.