One of the thoughts I struggled with as a youth leader in the local church was: Am I really making a difference? As I wrestled with that question, I also sensed that something was missing in my youth ministry. Maybe you’ve had similar thoughts or felt the same way.
I’m thankful I didn’t stay stuck in that old mindset. It’s one of the reasons I’m so passionate about what we do here at Dare 2 Share—partnering with leaders like you to equip and inspire your students to share the Gospel with their friends.
This is also why I am excited to reveal the findings from a Gospel Advancing research project our team launched nearly two years ago. Here are the top five reasons I’m so thrilled about what we discovered:
1. Does it even work? The answer is in.
The genesis of the Gospel Advancing research project was a simple question:
Does Gospel Advancing ministry produce students who will make and multiply disciples? Simply put, does it work?
Praise God—the resounding conclusion to the study was yes!
And not just a theoretical yes—this is backed by real stories, real numbers, and real transformation in students’ lives.
2. Gospel Advancing doesn’t have to be complicated.
One of the things we at Dare 2 Share learned from the research project is that we sometimes overcomplicate things. Yes, we’re learning (you can stop nodding your head now).
We’re in the process of simplifying the way we explain things. Part of that will be communicating that the steps a youth leader needs to take to implement a Gospel Advancing youth ministry are simple as well.
You don’t need a seminary degree or a massive budget—just a heart to see students grow as disciple-makers and a willingness to take the next step.
3. Big impact, big results: What the numbers reveal.
Not only does it work and is simple to implement, but the results are massive. I don’t want to get ahead of myself, because we’re revealing the full results of the research project later this week (you’ve been invited, you should come!), but I’ll give you one stat to encourage you:
Students who are part of a Gospel Advancing youth group share their faith about once a week, on average. That’s 50 times every year.
This is in contrast to students who are part of a more traditional youth group, who typically share the Gospel once every other month. You can do the math!
4. Students are ready—you just have to ask.
Students are eager and willing to be activated to share the Gospel and make disciples.
They’re looking for purpose, and when they see the eternal impact they can have, they step up with boldness. Give them a vision to reach the lost, provide the tools and training they need to confidently and clearly share their faith—and they will do it!
Many are just waiting for someone to believe in them and show them how.
5. You are the difference-maker.
That’s right! Last but definitely not least, you make all the difference. The single greatest factor that influences a student to become a disciple-maker is the presence of an adult in their life who is modeling it for them.
Your example matters.
Your students will go deeper in their faith journey as they see you model sharing the Gospel and making disciples. They will go for it—not just because you teach them, but because you do it with them.
Don’t underestimate the value of who you are and the impact you’re having in your students’ lives. You are making a difference.
Don’t miss our live presentation!
It works! It’s simple! It’s massive! They’ll do it! You matter!
These are only five of the reasons I’m excited about the findings from our Gospel Advancing research project. There are more reasons I’d love to share with you—and I’m not the only one who’s excited to share them.
Please join Dare 2 Share’s founder, Greg Stier, our vice president of ministry advancement, Gustavo Gonzalez, and myself on Thursday, April 24 at 10 a.m. MT for a special live-stream presentation of all our findings.
