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.
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 […]
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. Social media says identity is about how you present yourself online. Culture says identity is about achievements, appearance, and popularity. Friends say identity is about who accepts you and who rejects you. But what does God say? As […]
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 […]
Every few years, the landscape of youth ministry shifts in major ways. Sometimes, it’s because of cultural movements. Other times, it’s the result of changes in technology, education, or even church leadership strategies. But 2025? This year is different. This year, we’re standing at a major crossroads for youth ministry curriculum. Churches are re-evaluating their […]
Let’s be real—teenagers are creatures of habit. They wake up at the last possible second, grab the same snack every day after school, and somehow manage to rewatch the same three shows on Netflix endlessly. But when it comes to spiritual habits, consistency can feel impossible. Most students want to grow in their faith, but […]
