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.
downtime, your students’ routines are totally different—and so is their connection to youth group. By the time August rolls around, some students haven’t attended in weeks or even months. That’s not a failure—it’s reality. But fall is an incredible opportunity to re-engage students, rebuild momentum, and refocus your ministry. The start of a new school […]
When it comes to youth ministry curriculum, some leaders want total flexibility. “I don’t want to be locked into a rigid script.”“I just follow the Holy Spirit—I don’t need structure.”“My students check out if things feel too planned.” And while it’s true that youth ministry needs to be adaptable, it’s also true that a lack […]
Students face conflict every day. A friend stabs them in the back. Teammates won’t pass them the ball. A parent doesn’t understand where they’re coming from. A classmate posts something offensive online. And if we’re honest, many students handle conflict poorly. They ghost people instead of resolving issues.Students explode in anger.They hold grudges instead of […]
Let’s be honest—some youth ministry curriculums just don’t connect. Some are dry and lifeless. Others feel more like TED Talks than gospel-centered sermons. Some try to be entertaining but lose depth. And when a curriculum fails to engage, it doesn’t matter how well it’s packaged—students won’t connect with it. So what actually makes a youth […]
For many students, the church feels optional. “I love Jesus, but do I really need the church?”“I can worship God anywhere. Why does going to church matter?”“I just don’t feel connected to my church.” In a culture where individual faith is emphasized over community, it’s easy for students to think that church is just another […]
You’ve probably seen it happen. A junior high student who usually hangs back suddenly offers to pray out loud, run the slides, or lead a game. It might seem like a small moment, but it’s a big deal. These early steps toward leadership can have a lasting impact. They help students start to see themselves […]
Let’s talk about how to teach teenagers about overcoming fear and finding gospel-centered courage in Christ. Fear is one of the biggest struggles students face. Fear of failure. “If I fail, what am I?”Fear of what others think. “If they don’t like me, what am I?”Fear of the future. “What will I become?” Fear isn’t […]
For many youth pastors, lesson planning feels like a week-to-week scramble. Monday: What should I teach this week?Tuesday: Maybe I’ll do something on identity… or faith… or maybe relationships?Wednesday: I should probably pick a passage. I’ll figure it out later.Thursday: Oh no, I need to finish this lesson now. Sound familiar? Many youth pastors live […]
When your youth group is on the smaller side, it’s easy to feel like you’re missing out. You might wonder where all the energy went or how to build excitement with just a few students. But those smaller numbers are a huge opportunity. With fewer students, you can build closer relationships, have deeper conversations, and […]
Believe it or not, we’re already halfway through 2025. For youth pastors, that means two things: You’ve seen some incredible ministry wins. And you’ve also hit some frustrating roadblocks. The middle of the year isn’t just a checkpoint—it’s an opportunity. Before the fall semester kicks off, take some time to reflect, refocus, and recalibrate your […]
