Turning It Around

Many youth workers have students that don’t want to be discipled let alone be at church. Other youth workers have students who are raising funds to build water wells in Sudan and will save the lives of thousands through their actions. So how do you go from students who don’t care to students who want to change the world? Through the years of doing ministry I have only seen two things work: poverty and service. When apathetic students see people in poverty their justice DNA kicks in and they want to see it made right. At first they look to adults to solve the problems, but when they are given the opportunity to bring relief they become motivated by bringing real hope. Soon their hearts are captivated and they move away from self to service. This transformation requires youth workers to provide the opportunities and challenge their students to make a difference.