If you’ve ever met Greg Stier, you know how hard it is not to like the guy. It’s also immediately clear what his core passion is: spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, especially to teens. He breathes, lives, and radiates that gospel—and this book is the manifestation of that.Aimed primarily at youth pastors and youth leaders (though his approach is without a doubt applicable to entire churches), Gospelize Your Youth Ministry lays out a solid method to put the gospel at the very core of your youth ministry. The result is what Greg calls a Gospel Advancing Ministry and through many examples from the book of Acts and from youth ministries nowadays, Greg shows the incredible impact a ministry like that can have.
What I liked most about the strategies Greg lays forth in this book is that they’re evidence based for the most part. Dare 2 Share (the organization Greg Stier founded aimed at spreading the gospel amongst teens) has done a nationwide research to determine what effective youth ministries (those with a conversion rate of 25% or higher) had in common. The analysis resulted in seven values, which are also found in Scripture:
- Intercessory prayer
- Relational evangelism
- Leaders who fully embrace and model the gospel and evangelism
- A disciple multiplication strategy
- A bold vision
- Biblical outcomes to measure
- Ongoing programs reflect the importance of the gospel and evangelism
None of these are new, unknown, or even shocking. Some may even say these values are pretty much standard—except they’re consistently present in only a minority of youth ministries.
The rest of the book is devoted to explaining each of these values in more detail. Greg consistently bases his statements on Scripture, then affirms it with stories from his own experience. The book is sprinkled with humor by the way, which is one of the reasons why the book is so easy to read.
Youth leaders (and pastors alike) will find the book encouraging and challenging at the same time. Greg unfailingly raises the bar with the passion he’s so well-known for. It’s contagious and inspiring and he makes you want to go all in for Jesus with your youth ministry—which is exactly where you should be. Seriously, your hands will start to itch when you read this to start putting it into practice. This book offers you practical tools to help transform your ministry into a gospel-centered, Jesus-centered youth ministry that consistently and lovingly draws teens to Jesus. Read and apply.
I can’t recommend this book enough! Since implementing the 7 values and setting a bold vision in our youth ministry back in July of 2016, our students have had over 400 gospel conversations resulting in 22 decisions for Christ! We’ve also been able to track 536 hours of prayer for the lost since then. The rest of our congregation has been so encouraged by our students leading the way, our adults are now getting on board with the values. Praise God for the work He’s doing through the Gospel Advancing Ministry movement!
This book is changing the lives of my youth pastor friends and they’re seeing the evidence in their youth ministries. A friend of mine in Berkeley, WV focused on some methods with Value #1 (Intercessory Prayer) and in 2.5 months he went from 4 students to 15 consistently. Who would have thought that the way his youth ministry would have grown in number would be through prayer and not through creating a big event. Don’t get me wrong… I’m not saying “get this book and you’ll see immediate numbers, what I’m saying is implementing these values that God holds dear will give you “God results” (aka fruit).
The 7 Biblical Values found in in Acts that this book points out changed my life and my ministry!! I wish I would have known this early in my ministry! They’re even using it as curriculum at Southwest Seminary in Fort Worth! Put these early Church principles in place and watch God move!!
If you work with youth: GET THIS BOOK, READ IT, AND APPLY IT! TODAY! Tired of going from one unsustainable mountain top experience to the next in your youth ministry? This book answered all my frustrations with sound, biblical solutions. Romans 1:16 says the Gospel is powerful. Unleash the power in your ministry.
This is the most powerful and practical book I have ever read on youth ministry…and my favorite part is that these 7 values are straight out of Scripture! Any youth leader who applies these values will see amazing transformation take place in the lives of their students, adult leaders, youth ministry, and church! This is not my promise, but the promise of the greatest youth leader of all time…Jesus!
This is book is a must read! When I was introduced to these 7 values and then saw the tie to the Bible I was hooked. God used these principles to change my life and our ministry into something I would have never guessed possible. Teens fired up with a mission to change the world the way God wants them to change it. I love seeing teens find Jesus and grow closer to Him.
As a para-church ministry leader I am fortunate to connect with multiple ministry leaders. In speaking with them about putting the Gospel at the center of all they do, there is a struggle to know just how to do that. Where do they start? What does that look like? This book equips leaders with the “value tools” that still allows them the uniqueness of their individual ministry, while focusing on the call we are all given to go & make disciples, teaching them to obey His ways. With this book guiding its readers to literally put the Gospel at the center of all they do, it will change lives, including their own.
Greg Stier approach is compelling and evidence backed. This book not only motivates but provides practical tools for transforming youth ministry. Feeling motivated and equipped to make a real impact in youth ministry.
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