Mike Haynes is a youth ministry veteran and the creator of G Shades. A vibrant contributor to the youth ministry landscape, Mike’s passion is to help students and youth pastors alike see life through the lens of the gospel. He and his wife Anna have five kids spanning elementary, middle, and high school, and he serves as the high school pastor at Christian Fellowship Church in Ashburn, Virginia.
Most of us don’t get into youth ministry for the overwhelmingly generous paycheck. We love Jesus, we love the next generation, and for one reason or another, we feel that this is what God has called us to. Depending on your church culture, you might work long and uneven hours. It’s hard, sometimes. And that’s […]
The Trinity is one of the most foundational doctrines in Christianity—and one of the most confusing. How can God be one, yet also three persons? What does that even mean? And more importantly, why does it matter for a teenager’s daily life? As youth pastors, our goal isn’t to turn students into theologians. Our goal […]
If you’ve been in youth ministry for more than five minutes, you’ve likely bumped into a version of this debate: “Shouldn’t youth group be fun? Students won’t come back if they’re bored,” versus, “We’re here to make disciples, not just play games.” And the truth is, both sides have a point. Some ministries lean so […]
The new year is approaching fast. And if you’re like most youth pastors, you’re already thinking ahead about what you’ll teach. You want to walk into January with more than a guess. What you really want is a plan. But how do you map out an entire year of teaching that’s more than just busywork? […]
If you’re leading a youth ministry, few decisions will shape your year more than the curriculum you choose. The right curriculum doesn’t just fill time slots—it provides structure, deepens discipleship, and helps you lead students toward lasting spiritual growth. But not all curriculum is created equal. What makes one set of lessons meaningful and transformative, […]
When it comes to the Trinity, most teenagers have a decent grasp on God the Father and Jesus the Son. But the Holy Spirit? That’s often where things get fuzzy. They’ve heard the name. They’ve maybe sung about Him in worship. But ask them who the Holy Spirit really is, and the answers can get […]
Justice is one of the most talked-about issues in today’s world. Students are hearing about fairness, activism, and systemic injustice almost daily—from social media, news cycles, and conversations at school. Many care deeply about these topics, but they don’t always know how their faith should shape the way they respond. The good news is the […]
I was 5 years old when I decided to follow Jesus. Also, I was 8 years old when I decided to follow Jesus. Furthermore, at 11 years old I decided to follow Jesus. And the summer I turned 14, I turned a corner and began to follow Jesus. Yep. I was totally that Christian kid […]
In many churches, youth ministry can feel like a completely separate world. Students show up on Wednesdays or Sundays, but parents often have no idea what their kids are learning. Meanwhile, parents truly want to disciple their teens – one study found 97% of engaged Christian parents say helping their teen develop a lasting faith […]
The fall semester is one of the most strategic seasons in youth ministry. New students are stepping into your group for the first time. Returning students are reestablishing rhythms and figuring out who they are, where they belong, and how faith fits into their daily life. And let’s be honest—by the second or third week […]
