Risky Grace

Five minutes before youth group was set to begin, Josh took Victor aside and said he needed to tell him something important. “Hey, this is going to be my last Sunday as a leader,” said Josh. He was…

Secular Wisdom from the Movies: The Revenant

In this series, “Secular Wisdom at the Movies,” we hope to offer student leaders a resource – whether for summer programming or just regular teaching. So often we overlook biblical insight from the secular world. The movies in…

Ordinary Girl, Extra-Ordinary Grace

“You did not choose Me, but I chose you…” (John 15:16) If I could give the teens I love one gift this Christmas season, it would be to have a heart like Mary. She doesn’t earn or even…

The Authenticity of Grace through Repentance

For many believers in our culture today, “repentance” is a word that has fallen out of favor. Many are still more than willing to talk about their “weaknesses” or “struggles.” Some are even willing to admit them in…

I’m a Decent Youth Minister, an Even Worse Parent

This is the sixth piece in our ongoing series, “Confessions of a Struggling Youth Minister.” While student ministry is often extremely edifying and even a barrel of laughs, it can also be isolating, discouraging, and totally exhausting. Our…