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.
Choosing a youth ministry curriculum isn’t just about finding something that fills time on Wednesday nights—it’s about choosing a tool that shapes students’ faith. But with so many options, how do you know which curriculum is actually worth investing in? The reality is, not all curriculum is created equal. Some are engaging but shallow. Others […]
One of the biggest debates in youth ministry is how structured teaching should be. Some leaders prefer a laid-back, discussion-based approach, while others believe in following a structured teaching plan. But here’s the reality: Students thrive when there’s a plan.Faith grows deeper with intentional teaching.A structured approach doesn’t kill flexibility—it enhances it. So what does […]
If there’s one topic that never stops dominating your students’ thoughts, conversations, and social media feeds—it’s love and relationships. But here’s the challenge: Culture bombards students with messages about love that are shallow, selfish, and disconnected from biblical truth. Most students are already forming their views on relationships long before they ever talk to a […]
Youth ministry looks different in a small church. You probably don’t have a big production budget. That’s probably an understatement.You might have students spread across multiple grades. Some of them might not even be in middle school yet.You likely have a small (or even volunteer-only) leadership team. Nobody’s getting paid to do this. So why […]
Small groups should be one of the most powerful environments in youth ministry. They’re where students go beyond listening to sermons and start wrestling with faith, building relationships, and applying truth to their daily lives. But here’s the challenge: Some students dominate the conversation.Others barely say a word.Discussions can feel forced, awkward, or disconnected from […]
Peer pressure isn’t a new problem—it’s been shaping the decisions of teenagers for generations. But in today’s world, it’s louder, more persistent, and harder to escape than ever before. If we want to help students stand firm, we can’t just tell them to “be strong” or “make good choices.” They need something deeper than willpower—they […]
Every youth pastor has been there. It’s Wednesday night, your sermon isn’t finished, and the clock is ticking. Maybe you’ve got a solid outline, but something’s missing. Maybe you’re struggling to connect your message to real life. Maybe you’re just hoping students don’t tune out five minutes in. Here’s the hard truth: The way we […]
Teenagers are in a constant battle over who they are. The world is quick to offer answers: But what does God say? As youth pastors, one of the most important things we can teach is that identity is not something we achieve—it’s something we receive in Christ. When students understand that their worth isn’t based […]
If you’re feeling conflicted, hurt, or even a little lost about what’s happening with Orange, you’re not alone. If you’re not aware of what’s happening with Orange right now, here’s the overview: Last year, it came out that there was sexual misconduct and abuse between Orange’s Founder and the President of Orange. Both leaders resigned […]
In youth ministry, the term “gospel-centered” gets thrown around a lot. Every youth ministry curriculum claims to be Christ-focused, biblically sound, and faith-building. But when you take a closer look, a lot of what’s out there is more behavior modification than true gospel transformation. So what actually makes a youth ministry curriculum gospel-centered? And how […]
