When the topic of effective youth ministry strategies comes up, I think back to a testimony I heard years ago. A missionary shared how he felt God’s call overseas to a group of people who needed Christ. He shared candidly how he nearly gave up after ministering for 16 years (!) without seeing any fruit.
I’ve felt like that missionary so many times. And I consistently hear from other people in the trenches who are so close to giving up. Bottom line: Youth leaders often don’t feel as if we’re being effective in ministry. As a result, we want to quit.
That’s why I want to share these highly effective youth ministry strategies. Throughout the years, they’ve helped me maintain maximum impact.
10 Effective Youth Ministry Strategies You Need Now
1. Prayer
Unlike many lists where prayer lands at the bottom, I’d suggest it’s the master key. Without prayer, you can’t be effective and remain in ministry for the long haul. Don’t ever underestimate the power of prayer. The conclusion of the missionary’s testimony was powerful. After a 16-year wait, God brought revival to those people. Hundreds accepted Christ because of this person’s faithfulness and prayers.
2. Vision
In every ministry I’ve been part of, I’ve been more effective when I’ve clearly communicated my vision. This involves communicating to the people I partner with and to those I minister to. As the scriptures say, “Where there is no vision the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18). If you want to be effective in ministry, make sure you communicate where you’re going and how you plan to get there.
3. Disciple
One of the very last commands of Jesus before leaving Earth was for us to “go and make disciples” (Mattnew 28:19). If we follow this command and reach those who don’t know Christ and disciple them, we will be effective because we are doing what Christ told us to do.
