STUDENT MINISTRY VOLUNTEERS, YOU ARE LEAVING A LEGACY

My Leader Left a Legacy in My Life

The small group leader that survived all through high school with me was Dale Durbin. Scott Sandahl started as a co-leader but had to drop. And Bill Wadsworth was there when I graduated high school. Both Scott and Bill were huge in my life. But Dale survived my entire journey through high school, and what an impact that long term investment made in my life.

I remember thinking Dale was probably the coolest dad in the world. I remember during small groups Dale picked me up and threw me into a corner and sat on me when I wouldn’t shut up (it’s a guys small group thing). I remember thinking he was a really good husband and genuinely loved his wife.  I remember reading Purpose Driven Life and discussing it at his house (I’m not sure if we ever actually did the reading). I remember Dale challenging me when I had some jacked up theology. I remember Dale talking openly with us about his flaws. I remember us students scheming to get into a little bit of trouble pretty regularly and Dale never squashed the fun.

Most importantly, Dale was a part of my life when I became a Christian. I grew up in the church, prayed to receive Jesus as Savior as a child, but it wasn’t genuine. Dale built a relationship with me and gave me a picture of what it looked like to follow Jesus. Dale helped build genuine community that I was a part of and it changed everything for me as a 16 year old kid. Dale left a legacy in my life.

Dale Durbin on the far left during my senior graduation.
I'm to the right of him.

You are leaving a legacy.

Student Ministry volunteers, you are leaving a legacy. As you build relationships, teach, lead small groups, mentor, encourage, laugh, fight, cry and spend time together with students, you are a part of Jesus building his church. You are a part of seeing students come to know Jesus. You are a part of Jesus changing lives. You are leaving a legacy.

You are leaving a life-long legacy.

You are a part of seeing a transformation that is going to shape the rest of student’s lives. They will transition into college marked by your investment. They will become parents that reflect your parenting. They will have marriages that reflect your marriage. Students will serve, love, and live reflecting much of what their leaders have imparted to them.

You are leaving a generational legacy.

Some of the students you disciple will become volunteers investing in students. Your investment may not only impact your students, but students for years to come.  Most of the those you disciple will marry. That means your investment will not only impact them, but their spouse as well. Most of those you disciple will have kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. Your investment in students will affect the trajectory of countless lives. Volunteer with a vision that you get to impact generations.

Use the opportunity you have to invest in students.

It's easy to miss the fact that leading a small group with students is a big part of building a legacy. Be strategic with this time. Pray continually for your students. See God-centered conversations as an opportunity to refocus their lives around Jesus. Allow time for connection and laughing, as students don't just want to know information, but want to know you.

I'd encourage you to connect with students as you can outside of programming. It’s easy for the tyranny of the urgent to make you miss the opportunities you have to invest in students. As you care for your relationship with God, spouse, and kids first, bring students alongside your life for an investment.

Bring students along with you when you are:

• Watching a sports game
• Eating family dinners
• Working on house projects
• Going grocery shopping
• Working on your car
• Watching your kids

Student Ministry volunteers, as you invest in students, be encouraged! You are building a legacy.