Jordan Watkins
Associate Pastor of Children and Youth
Plattsmouth Bible Church
Plattsmouth, Nebraska, USA
What encourages you when youth ministry feels hopeless?
Youth ministry can feel like climbing up a giant sand dune, where each week you get just enough traction to make it up the hill. But then after recapping the week, you realize that you’ve slid right back down to where you started.
That goes for both youth leaders and students. After a tough week at school or home (or both), students can feel like they’re not where they should be in their walk with Christ. And leaders sometimes question if their efforts even make a difference.
Personally, I’ve often felt useless and hopeless—BUT GOD!
I have to remind myself regularly that just because I can’t see the fruit doesn’t mean God isn’t growing any. In fact, God is leading students to Himself. Growing spiritual fruit takes time.
But God’s timing is perfect, and at precisely the right time God can move that student to ask a question that ignites their faith. Or perhaps He’ll lead them into a conversation with a youth leader that He uses to cause spiritual transformation in that student—and maybe even in that leader. Even if we don’t witness the fruits of our labors, He’s moving.
To youth leaders who finds themselves in a position of hopelessness: Have faith! God has called you to exactly the right place at exactly the right time, for His glory. How cool is it that we get to be a part of His Kingdom work?
What does it look like to collaborate with other churches?
Some of our best ideas have come from collaborating with other churches. And that’s not the only benefit. It also reminds youth leaders that they’re not alone. Community is vital. When you collaborate with other churches, you quickly realize that the questions you wrestle with week-to-week are the same ones other churches wrestle with as well.
Questions like:
- What series should we do next?
- What new game/retreat ideas are there?
- How do I balance family and ministry time?
- How do I let go and let Him work?
Youth ministry can feel daunting, but praying with other churches can make it feel less so.
God created us for community. Seek to join other churches in your area to reach your community together. Maybe connect with another youth leader over a cup of coffee, or you could team up to host an event where students in your ministry can meet students from other church communities. Or you could go on a mission trip with another church. We did that one year. It was the best decision ever!
You might be surprised to see that other churches are searching for help and support as well. And God could use you to bring that help.
Who or what keeps you accountable to share the Gospel personally?
Students in our ministry absolutely love using the G.O.S.P.E.L. acrostic and Ask – Admire – Admit Gospel-sharing tools. Thank you so much Dare 2 Share! Learning to use these tools has given them the confidence to go out and share the Gospel with their friends and family. I highly recommend incorporating them into your weekly gatherings.
These tools have helped me too. As a ministry, we’ve held each other accountable week-to-week by sharing stories of Gospel conversations. It’s encouraging when students start asking their youth leaders, “Did you share the Gospel this week?” And it’s led to an increase in our leaders sharing the Gospel personally, as well as the students.
