December 13, 2013 at 12:33PM at a local high school down the road, a student went to find a teacher with intent to take that teacher’s life. In the process he shot and at this time injured a peer that was quoted as being “in the wrong place at the wrong time”.
I do not think I will ever forget this day. You see, I am just starting out in my career in youth ministry. I have been doing it full-time now for about 3 years. I am working for a youth ministry now where about 70% of the students we host go to the school where this shooting above happened. It is hard to say that there has been a more shaping time in my life. In fact, the impact of this event will shape the way I do youth ministry for the rest of my life. I have read the books, seen the speakers, but an event has solidified something within me that is hard for me not to share.
The one truth, the one thing I have learned from this whole incident is this: There is always one more student that needs Jesus. Whoa! I blew you away with my thought. I know it. But allow me to take you further.
Sometimes in ministry, when things are going well, the students are coming, we have our program nights, singing is great, students are engaged, students are asking questions and they are growing; sometimes we get in the mindset that “we have arrived”. This is as good as it gets might be a better way to say it. But if we are in a position to step back and learn from the events happening around the world, I would argue that the moment you are comfortable is the moment you need something to change. There is always one more student we could go out and get.
I wonder what would happen if we applied ourselves to this thinking. If we did not just talk about it but actually used every last ounce of our being to do so. For the first time in years, I talked to students randomly in a breakfast joint the other day. Somewhere along the way I stopped doing that cause I was so concerned about the students I had in the group, that I failed to go out and keep reaching the students that need to be in the group.
We, as youth pastors, counselors, mentors, brothers, sisters and “fill in blank here”-ers have got to do a better job impacting this culture of youth for Jesus. As a matter of fact, I think the future depends on it. We need talented and out of the box thinking men/women to rise up in ministries, we need talented and fun individuals to help volunteer a small group, and we absolutely, unequivocally need to dial in to reach that one more student who desperately needs Jesus. If we are going to create a youth culture that is looking for a relationship with Jesus Christ, these things are unparalleled in importance.
The moment you think your youth ministry has it all together, I pray that an event like the one this last weekend does not change your mind for you. Make yourselves uncomfortable. Reach one more.
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Food for thought: Who are you thinking of right now? What student? At the very least, go talk to them. Let them know you care.
leadershape 