First Priority held its third City-Wide Campus Ministry Network Luncheon of the year on Thursday, May 14, 2015, at Meadow Brook Baptist Church in Birmingham. Nearly 50 youth leaders and children's ministers across the Greater-Birmingham area attended for a time of equipping, encouragement and fellowship. Everyone enjoyed a delicious lunch from Chick-fil-A and Meadow Brook Baptist.

 

Our special guest speaker J. Roger Davis, President of Student Life, brought an inspirational message about how to be an effective youth leader. "You must be willing to step back and do whatever it takes, and you must give all the glory to God," said Roger.

 

Roger related his message to a story in the Bible from Mark 2:1-12, in which four men carried a paralyzed man to Jesus to be forgiven and healed. Roger began by asking the question, "What kind of leader are you?"

1) Do you wear an apron? (Are you more of a servant?)

2) Do you wear a cape? (You say, "I've got this; it's on me.")

3) Do you wear a crown? (You expect people to serve you.)

 

 

How to be an effective youth leader

1) Carry your corner:

"The four men carried the paralyzed man to Jesus," said Roger. "You must be willing to carry your corner. What does that look like in your youth ministry? How do you spend your time? You need to spend time with your students, your adult leaders, parents, and your prayer warriors. Everyone has a responsibility and must carry their corner. Work together as a team."

 

2) Do whatever it takes to accomplish a task:

"The house where Jesus was teaching was packed out, so the four men made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the man down to Jesus," said Roger. "The house was packed and these men found themselves in an obstacle. They were willing to do whatever it took to get the paralyzed man to Jesus. This is what we have to do. Sometimes you have to humble yourself to do whatever it takes."

 

3) Give the glory to God:

"Jesus healed the paralyzed man and the man got up and walked," said Roger. "What happens to the four men? It's not recorded so we don't know. But I hope they praised Jesus and took more people to Him. We must give the praise and glory to God."

 

"We need a generation that knows Christ and makes Him known," said Roger. "What are we putting in our students' tool boxes? How are we equipping them? Step back and look at your strategy for your youth ministry. Carry your corner, be willing to do whatever it takes, and then give the glory to God."

 

We would like to thank Roger again for his encouragement and knowledge he shared that will help youth pastors be more effective as leaders. We would also like to give a special thanks to our sponsors who helped make this event a huge success: Empowered to Conquer Youth Conferences and Compassion International. Representatives from these organizations provided youth leaders with educational material about their programs and upcoming events. Please take time to visit their Web sites. We also heard from Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Representative Sara Reynolds who updated everyone on FM419 make-up dates. Click here for more info. Lastly, First Priority Area Director Joey Proffitt informed the group about a film in the making on the incredible true story of Rachel Joy Scott. Rachel was killed for her faith in Jesus at the Columbine massacre in 1999. Click here to watch a video and learn more.

 

We would like to thank all those again who attended and joined us for a great time of growth and fellowship.

 

Click here to view pictures from City-wide