As I wrap up my first year of college and reflect on the people who have impacted my life, one person stands out: my youth pastor, Wes. He never had a big platform or group, and he never claimed to have all the answers. But what he did have was the faith to say yes to God, again and again. And in doing so, he changed everything for me.
Here are five specific ways you can change your students’ lives as well, as you follow Wes’s lead:
1. Take the first step.
The first step of leadership is saying yes to the call God places in front of you—and because Wes said yes, he’s impacted the lives of many people. I bet you have too. What began as a step of faith into the role of a youth pastor became the foundation for a youth group that grew into a true family—one that follows the heart of God and helps transform lives through the power of the Gospel.
This was a youth group that had honest, sometimes difficult conversations. One that stayed up late learning and growing together. One that boldly shared the Gospel with friends and faithfully prayed for one another. To outsiders, it may have just been a youth group. But to us, it was the friendliest, most welcoming place in our town of Westminster.
2. Walk with teenagers.
As you know, youth ministry is not for the faint of heart—but it’s often where some of the most beautiful transformation happens. The teenage years are crucial, and I can still remember walking in as a nervous middle schooler. I’m so grateful that my youth group helped me grow into an adult who loves the Lord.
When I was full of doubt, Wes didn’t shut me down. When I needed someone to talk to, he didn’t turn away. And when I was really hard to love, he didn’t hold a grudge. Instead, he offered grace and chose to be the hands and feet of Jesus. He met students for lunch, went to their extracurricular activities, and stayed late just to support us.
There were probably a thousand other things Wes could’ve been doing with his time—but he had already made his decision: His life belonged to God. And because of that, I found someone I could trust—someone who reminded me that God isn’t distant or indifferent. Through Wes, I learned what God’s investment in my life really looks like. The same is true for you: Through your faithful decisions to be present in teenagers’ lives, you’ll guide them as well.
3. Lead with evangelism.
Another significant thing that Wes said yes to was building a life and a ministry based on sharing the Gospel. Faith doesn’t end—or become all about you—when you say yes to Christ. In fact, that’s where it begins. God calls us to something greater:
‘Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…’ Matthew 28:19
At every gathering, Wes reminded us of the true Gospel and of the deep need every person has for Christ. He also acknowledged that we’re going to mess up and fall short—but because of God’s grace and forgiveness, we’ve been given eternal life. And he would often ask us: “Who wouldn’t want that?”
Because of these consistent reminders, I now understand a greater purpose for my life. I wake up each day knowing there are people around me still trying to find the love that only God can give. Wes was always the first to admit his failures in sharing the Gospel, but he was also the first to teach us how to do it—modeling a life like Jesus lived: loving the broken, planting seeds of truth, and faithfully watering them with prayer and encouragement.
If you do these things too, your model will stay with students for the rest of their lives.
4. Build a firm foundation
Now that I‘m out of youth group and in college, there’s a piece of my life that feels missing: the youth group that became my family and the youth pastor that became a friend. But one thing has remained the same: the faith that became my foundation.
Though I miss Wes and my youth group, I love my school, the people I get to see, and the God I get to share—and that makes it all worth it. Wes has once again said yes to God, this time by moving across the country to serve another youth group. And although it makes me sad knowing I won’t get to see him every time I come home, there’s still so much joy in knowing that another group of students will be blessed by his leadership, just as I was.
No matter where God leads you, know that the investment you’re making in students’ lives is building a strong foundation they’ll carry with them for years to come.
5. Love consistently
If you’re wondering whether you’re making a difference in youth ministry, the answer is most certainly yes. If you’re questioning whether the late nights, deep conversations, middle school drama, pizza-stained carpets, and emotional roller coasters are worth it—the answer is YES.
Keep showing up.
Keep loving the kid who never talks.
Keep texting the one who just lost a parent.
Keep listening without trying to fix.
Keep pointing students to Jesus.
Keep sharing the Gospel in both word and action—and show your students how to do the same.
Because years from now, someone like me is going to write about you. And they’ll say: “They changed my life,” all because of the consistent love you gave.
God uses ordinary people with hearts surrendered to Him to do extraordinary things. Be encouraged—He is with you, and you are making a lasting difference in the world and in the lives of your students.
