Almost four years later, I can still picture the day when a new freshman walked into our youth room for the first time. Her face displayed bewilderment, uncertainty, and maybe even a hint of fear. Alyssa had recently joined a foster family in our church. She knew what it meant to live in a ruptured world.
As she came up the stairs and through the door to this room full of unfamiliar students and adults, I can only imagine the whirlwind of emotions she had already experienced that week, still tossing as she stepped into the room.
Few moments in student ministry have made me as proud as when I think about the way our leaders and students embraced Alyssa. They demonstrated the love of Christ in so many tangible ways. Their welcome led to Alyssa’s profession of faith and baptism over the next year. It also led to her leadership in the group in worship, mission trips, and many other areas within the life of our church.
The celebration of Alyssa’s graduation last May and her joyful visits during college breaks this semester have shown me that she truly experienced the welcome of the church. I’m grateful to count her a sister in Christ and that she has agreed to share her experience. Here are her words in our question-and-answer exchange:
A Testimony of Welcome
Caleb: What was it like coming to First Baptist initially?
Alyssa: It felt a little intimidating at first, but everyone was so welcoming.
Caleb: How has First Baptist been like a family to you?
Alyssa: From the moment I walked in, people remembered my name, asked about my week, and truly listened. It wasn’t just a handshake at the door, it felt like they cared about me as a person. They’ve prayed with me through hard times, celebrated milestones with me, and made me feel like I belong. It’s the kind of family where you’re not just welcomed, you’re known and loved.
Caleb: How your time at First Baptist impacted your faith?
Alyssa: Being part of First Baptist has helped my faith grow deeper and more personal. The teaching here has challenged me to really live out what I believe, not just know it in my head. Worship has reminded me of God’s presence every week. The community has encouraged me to trust him in both the highs and lows of life. I’ve learned to step out of my comfort zone and lean on God in new ways.
Caleb: Based on your experience, what should the role of the church be for other teenagers?
Alyssa: I think the church should be a safe place where teenagers feel known, loved, and valued. It should be a place where they can ask hard questions without fear of judgment. It should guide us in our faith, help us grow in our relationship with God, and give us a place to belong. It’s also about equipping us to make a difference in the world. Its shows us how to live out our faith in real, everyday ways.
Caleb: How important is church involvement for a Christian’s faith?
Alyssa: I think church involvement is extremely important. We shouldn’t live out our faith alone. God designed us to grow together. Being part of a church keeps us accountable. It encourages us when we’re struggling. We have opportunities to serve and use our gifts. It’s in community that we’re reminded of God’s truth, challenged to live it out, and surrounded by people who walk with us through every season.
Caleb: What is the purpose of church?
Alyssa: The purpose of the church is way more than just showing up on Sundays. It’s a place where we can come together to worship God. We learn what the Bible actually says and figure out how to live it out in real life. It’s also where we find people who will walk with us through the highs and lows, kind of like a second family. The church is here to help us grow closer to Jesus. It helps us discover the gifts he’s given us and use them to make a difference in the world. And it’s not just for us, it’s about reaching out, loving people, and showing them who Jesus is through the way we live.
Ruptured World, Welcoming Family
One of the most beautiful aspects of the Christian life is the privilege of adoption in God’s family. As God’s children we receive the full rights of the Son and are heirs of every blessing in him. We can boldly approach the Father (Rom. 8:14-17, Gal. 4:4-7). What a beautiful reality for us as Christians!
Jesus demonstrates in Matthew 12:46-50 that he came to build a family of faith which transcends all the normal groups of society. Trust in him and commitment to doing the Father’s will is what unites this family made up of God’s children. People should know this family of faith by its love for each other (John 13:33-35). As Alyssa experienced, this love should provide ample evidence to the world around us that Jesus has changed our hearts and lives. Seeing students go from disconnected, lost, and hurting to welcomed into God’s family is one of the greatest privileges of ministry.
When we consider how our churches and student ministries can be a faithful representation of God’s work, creating a culture of warmth and welcome should stand out as an essential goal. For students who are unchurched or who come from a difficult family situation like Alyssa, the welcome your church or student ministry gives them could be their first taste of God’s welcome in the gospel.
Practical Ways To Grow Your Culture
Youth ministers, here are some practical ways to grow a culture of welcome in your ministries:
Watch The Doors
Prepare your leaders and student leaders to be ready to welcome anyone who walks in. Instruct them to give a lay of the land, and fill in visitors regarding what to expect.
Be A Connector
Make a goal of connecting guests with two or three leaders and multiple students. The more connections they make the first visit, the more likely it is they will return.
Teach Students To Welcome Others
Cultivate a culture that builds deep relationships and welcomes others in. You want your students to build strong connections and always have room for one more in the circle.
Train Leaders On How To Be Welcoming
Equip your leaders to assume nothing. Coach them to connect with students from all backgrounds, helping them feel at home. Teach them to ask un-intimidating questions. Remind them not to let the students’ answers surprise them.
Have A Follow Up Plan
Have a strategy for guest follow-up which allows for multiple, personal points of contact. Some examples may be: a card from the church, a text or call from a group leader, or information sent to parents or guardians about the ministry and upcoming opportunities to connect with the group.
A Picture of Christ’s Love
As leaders, we should demonstrate the love of Christ in our interactions, our conversations, and our care. This applies to the students, families, and leaders in our ministry, and throughout the church as a whole. When we help create loving relationships across generational boundaries in our church, our students will experience the welcoming family that the church is meant to be.
I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God. My prayer is that many more students living life in this ruptured world will know the welcome of God’s family through the local church.
If you’re seeking gospel-centered community as you labor, consider applying for one of Rooted’s youth or family ministry mentoring programs.
