This comprehensive handbook looks at every facet of youth ministry from a gospel-centered perspective, offering practical advice related to everything from planning short-term mission trips to interacting with parents to cultivating healthy relationships.

"Few of us take a trip without some kind of GPS device at our side. We need help navigating the route, the traffic, and the current road conditions, all in an effort to reach our final destination. In humble, authentic and truth-tested ways, Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry provides that level of clarity to those who are passionate about engaging, connecting, and discipling young people within the reach of their calling. With advice anchored in the timeless truth of God's Word, Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry delivers light to the unlit roads of working with young people. It underscores the priority of this mission, while amplifying the impact that an effective student ministry can have within a church community. Filled with wisdom, light, hope, and guidance, the contributors point to a clear objective-making lifelong followers of Jesus the Christ." -Dan Wolgemuth, President/CEO, Youth for Christ "This book is both theologically insightful and practical ... and a book about youth ministry must be both. This is a commendable resource for youth pastors, volunteers, students in training, and search teams looking for a youth pastor." -Jay S. Thomas, Lead Pastor, Chapel Hill Bible Church, Chapel Hill, North Carolina "We see the lamentable statistics about younger people walking away from the church, despite every attempt over the last couple of generations either to turn up the cool factor or to fight the culture wars-or both. The contributors point to a better way. They have tested his gospel-centered approach and honed and refined it along the way. This book is not only a wake-up call, it is a practical guide for ministry to our younger brothers and sisters. I'll be recommending this book far and wide." -Michael Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California; author, Core Christianity: Finding Yourself in God's Story "You are holding a very helpful, straight-to-the-point examination of the fundamental how-to's in youth ministry. Covered here are the key areas of successful Christian youth leadership. Broad in scope but sharp in focus, this book will clearly help anyone who strives to have a ministry built on gold rather than straw." -Ken Moser, Assistant Professor of Youth Ministry, Briercrest College and Seminary; author, Changing the World through Effective Youth Ministry "The contributors to this volume have reflected deeply on the nature and power of the gospel. Drawing from their years of experience, they have given us theologically rich and practical reflections on youth ministry that aim to exalt Christ, strengthen the whole church, and equip teenagers for ministry." -Mary Willson , Associate Director of Women's Initiatives, The Gospel Coalition "Gospel-centered youth ministry is the need of the hour. It's rare to find a book that brings together expertise on everything from evangelism to small groups, from mission trips to social justice, but Cameron Cole and Jon Nielson have given us the perfect primer. I'm grateful for this book and look forward to putting it in front of my students!" -Alvin L. Reid, Professor of Evangelism and Student Ministry, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary; author, As You Go: Creating a Missional Culture of Gospel-Centered Students "Here are 14 chapters written by 14 practitioners each with his or her own personality, writing style, and insight. Yet there is one focus-Jesus. For these writers, youth ministry is not only about teaching the teachings of Jesus, although that is important. Youth ministry is about making disciples-life-long learners personally following and growing in Jesus. These chapters are heart-felt and teen sensitive, with a profound respect for the gospel. That, plus a lot of practical insight make this a book worth having in your youth ministry library." -Terry Dittmer, National Director of Youth Ministry for the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod "Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry is a substantial step in the right direction toward faithful discipleship of students. Not only should anyone in full time, part-time, or volunteer youth ministry purchase this book, but pastors and parents need to pick up a copy as well. Your church will be blessed by it." -John Perritt, resource coordinator; rymonline.org; author, Your Days Are Numbered and What Would Judas Do? "Cameron Cole and Jon Nielson provide a clear vision of holistic ministry, encouraging and challenging readers to integrate the gospel as the center of their ministry with youth." -Brian H. Cosby, Pastor, Wayside Presbyterian Church, Chattanooga, Tennessee; author, Giving Up Gimmicks: Reclaiming Youth Ministry from an Entertainment Culture

About the Author

Cameron Cole (MA, Wake Forest University) is the founder of Rooted, a ministry dedicated to fostering gospel-centered student ministry. He is the author of Therefore I Have Hope: 12 Truths That Comfort, Sustain, and Redeem in Tragedy, and the coeditor of Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry and The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School.

Jon Nielson (DMin, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) serves as the senior pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church of Wheaton in Wheaton, Illinois. He is coeditor of the book Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry and author of the Theology Basics series. He and his wife, Jeanne, have four children.

Drew Haltom (MABS, Reformed Theological Seminary) serves as a pastor at Christ City Church in Memphis, Tennessee, where he lives with his wife, Laura, and two children. Prior to his pastoral ministry, Drew served on staff at Service Over Self, an organization dedicated to leadership development and home repair in strategic neighborhoods in Memphis. He is a contributor to Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry: A Practical Guide.

Philip Walkley (BA, The University of Mississippi) is the executive director of Service Over Self in Memphis, Tennessee, and previously served as the director of student ministries at First United Methodist Church of Grenada, Mississippi. Philip and his wife, Kelsea, live in Binghampton, Tennessee, with their three children. They are members of Fellowship Memphis in Memphis, Tennessee.

Dave Wright is the coordinator for student ministries for the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina. Previously he served as a youth minister in churches in suburban Chicago and Cheshire, England. He has written numerous articles for magazines in both the UK and US.

Book Information
ISBN 9781433546952
Author Cameron Cole
Format Paperback
Page Count 224
Imprint Crossway Books
Publisher Crossway Books
Weight(grams) 276g
Dimensions(mm) 216mm * 140mm * 15mm