Youth ministry is hard work.
I know that to you that’s not breaking news. Like most youth leaders, you’ve endured discouraging days, long nights, difficult conversations, and tight or nonexistent budgets. Students, parents, church leaders, and congregants have monopolized your time, challenged your authority, and tested your patience. You’ve faced stressors and spiritual battles that you think no one sees or understands.
For an overworked, frustrated youth leader, only one solution might seem apparent: leaving to pursue another job or calling. But I urge you not to quit youth ministry too soon. Not only are you having eternal impact on young lives, but those individuals are specially equipped and positioned to impact other souls for eternity.
Here are seven compelling reasons to stay in youth ministry:
1. Teenagers are most open to Jesus.
You’re ministering to the most spiritually receptive generation on the planet. According to Barna Group research, two-thirds of people who place their trust in Christ do so before turning 18.
These days, few preteens show signs of following Jesus. That’s both a challenge and an opportunity. OneHope found that although two-thirds of preteens, or Gen Alpha, identify as Christian, just 16% “display the beliefs and characteristics of a committed Christian.” In other words, the harvest is plentiful, and you’re serving where laborers are needed most (see Matthew 9:37).
Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
2. Teenagers can spread the Gospel fast.
Through social media, school, sports, and friendships, the busy “emerging generation” has unprecedented influence. These digital natives often have hundreds of online and face-to-face connections. Teens interact virtually and IRL (in real life) with peers, adults, family members, and strangers throughout the world. With some training and encouragement, they can set their communities on fire with the Good News of Jesus.
[Jesus] said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation.’
3. Teenagers are daring.
Compared with adults, who often stall and overthink, young people tend to just go for it. Thanks to teens’ still-developing prefrontal cortex, that boldness can lead to missteps, sure. But a sense of daring becomes especially powerful when teens surrender it to Jesus.
As you shape courageous young evangelists, teach them not to be ashamed of Jesus or His Word. Tell stories of missionaries who changed the world by obeying Christ’s Great Commission. During youth group meetings and events, let students recount their Gospel-sharing risks and the unexpected rewards.
‘Therefore go and make disciples of all nations.’
4. Teenagers are fast learners.
Members of Gen Z and Gen Alpha are bombarded by information but absorb it quickly. This is especially true when causes and projects are dear to their hearts. And no cause is greater than advancing the Gospel and making disciples.
Dare 2 Share’s research shows that when youth leaders adopt a Gospel Advancing strategy, they can multiply their youth group’s spiritual impact. In fact, that approach yields up to 30 times the outreach results of a typical youth program.
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young.
5. Teenagers are change-makers.
Today’s youth aren’t the next generation; they’re the now generation. They like to get things done and can communicate in ways that aren’t second nature to most adults. Combine that with teens’ passionate nature, especially in groups, and you have ready-to-go local evangelists who crave your wisdom and guidance.
And the things you have heard me say…entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.
6. Teenagers desperately need hope.
This generation feels crushed by anxiety, stress, loneliness, depression, and confusion. According to the Fuller Youth Institute, up to 40% of today’s teens struggle with mental health issues. And, possibly due to the pandemic, about 60% of them place a high value on home, associating it with comfort and safety.
The takeaway for churches and youth groups? Offer a family-like environment with plenty of trusted adults and caring mentors. Students need emotional and spiritual support, with frequent reminders of the peace only Jesus brings.
‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.’
7. Teenagers will thank you someday.
Words of appreciation might be few and far between in this season. But imagine standing in Heaven someday, hearing story after story of Gospel impact. You’ll marvel at students whose lives changed because you stayed faithful and at people whose hearts your students impacted. Your investment matters more than you know.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Yes, many aspects of youth ministry can be difficult. But your work, love, and outreach efforts are paying dividends.
So stay faithful. Keep fighting. Keep loving students. And keep advancing the Gospel. Because what you do makes an eternal difference.
