Disclaimer: this is not a guaranteed guide to automatically create results, this is simply a blueprint to use to grow your ability to create connections and build relationships. With time, conversations will begin to flow. Being a leader in YTH can be intimidating, but these kids need YOU.

With the uphill battle that is youth ministry there will always be wins if you learn to look for them in the big stuff and the small but with that being said there of course will be challenges. A challenge could be God highlighting a student who is an EGR (Extra Grace Required) student. Someone that will challenge you and force you to act in grace and in patience towards them because of how different or maybe how similar you are with the student. A challenge could be a parent who doesn't believe in God or has had church hurt themselves so they don't allow you to connect with the student on a deeper level outside of Wednesdays. Different challenges come up and just know that you're not the first one to go through them and you wont be the last, keep your head up and don't be afraid to ask another leader for advice. So what are you committing to? You are committing to being the difference for a student in a life that is uncertain and unyielding. This is the first time they are going through these challenges- but you are someone who has been there and maybe literally done that. Someone who can honestly look at a student and say God is bigger than the problems we face and there is a better way. It won't be easy but it will be rewarding, that we can guarantee.

To find your 6 is to find the students God has called you to mentor. Firstly, when you’re looking for your 6, look for those who seem disconnected or alone. Go up and just start a conversation; be friendly to them. It’s going to be awkward, it may feel bland and weird. But this is how we win. Start with a compliment, “Hey, I like your shirt” and then follow it up with normal small talk like “What’s your name by the way?” “Where do you go to school?” and “How have you been doing?” This will build a relationship between you and the student. This may be as far as you get with a student on the first Wednesday and that’s ok! So what now? PRAY!! Pray for the student(s) you encountered on Wednesday and for God to reveal to you which students he wants you to shepherd/mentor. From there it’s just connecting with them every week, getting their number and texting them asking if they’re coming, how they’re doing, “Hey, did you see this?”. Just being a friend and a resource for them. Engage in the things they like. Students are more willing to engage with you if you like what they like. If they play basketball every Wednesday, try and get on their team, pass them the ball, hype them up. If they like to worship ask if you can sit and worship with them. Whatever they do on a Wednesday try and include yourself.

It can be so easy to be a part of a youth ministry and get lost in a crowd. Especially in a youth ministry as large as ours. But at YTH For The ONE we are obsessed with the ONE and we want to run for the ONE. This means we want as many of our students to have a leader that is running with them and doing life with them. We want them to build relationships with other students they can run after Jesus with as well.

Here at Church for the One, we are believing that we will see 3571 people get BAPTIZED by the year 2030. Here at Youth for the One, we are believing that our students will play a huge part in that number, while we play a big part in their walk. In 2023, we saw 150 students get baptized, and we are believing for 241 more to get baptized in 2024, but why does this matter? Numbers matter, because every number has a story, and every story matters to God. It is not only about the number, but it is about the inward heart transformation turning into the outward proclamation of faith, and this is why we believe that baptism is important.

Any time you're leading a student into salvation, always end with praying this prayer: Lord I believe, that Jesus Christ, is the Savior of the world. That he gave his life, to forgive my sins, and was raised from the grave, to give me life. I receive your grace, by faith, come into my life, and I will follow you. Amen. After saying this prayer, always point them to their next steps in Baptism and Serving.

Priority Schools: George Jenkins, Mckeel, Lakeland, & Lakeland Christian School ***(if you have a student(s) that go to a school not listed here and they play a sport, you can absolutely go to a game!) Fall Sports: Football (GJ, Lakeland, LCS only), Sideline Cheer (Mckeel only), Volleyball Boys/Girls Cross Country, Boys/Girls Swimming Winter Sports: Boys/Girls Basketball, Boys/Girls Soccer, Boys/Girls Swimming, Wrestling, Competitive Cheer (GJ & LCS only) Spring Sports: Baseball, Softball, Boys/Girls Lacrosse (LCS only), Boys/Girls Tennis, Boys/Girls Track & Field Sports For The ONE: visit churchforthe.one/sports for their games and times ***To find the dates/times/locations of their sports games go to: https://www.maxpreps.com/schools/