When I think of success in ministry, one of the students my (Steven) mind goes to is Troy. I met Troy as a 7th grader and had the privilege of leading him through junior high and handing him off to one of my friends in high school. Since 7th grade, Troy has grown astronomically in his faith and as a man of God. Even cooler, he is beginning to find his way in youth ministry. We asked Troy to write a little bit about his journey and how generational youth ministry has had an impact in his life.
My small group leaders have had a huge impact on my life. Whenever I’ve needed something or had a question they knew exactly what to say and really cared about what I had to say and really cared about me. When I left small group each week there wasn’t a complete separation until the next week, my leaders would text m to see how I was doing throughout the week which meant so much to me. But they also encouraged us as a small group to bond and be accountable for one another. Just because of that I have some of the best friends I’ve ever had who have helped me grow closer to God. My leaders have inspired me to lead a small group of my own, and im excited because when I look back I can see how instrumental my leaders were and how God used them in such an important way in my life, and it gives me hope that God will use me the same way they used my leaders in the generation that follows me.
