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.
I know you’re juggling a lot as a youth pastor, because I’ve been there too. You’re not alone, and I hope what you find here encourages you. The summer lull is real. As the new school year approaches, you might notice some students drifting, leaders feeling burnt out, and energy dipping. Getting everyone re‑engaged before […]
I know you’re juggling a lot as a youth pastor, because I’ve been there too. You’re not alone, and I hope what you find here encourages you. Structure can be a gift or a straitjacket. Some leaders love a detailed script that outlines every minute of a program. Others prefer to fly by the seat […]
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 […]
FI know you’re juggling a lot as a youth pastor, because I’ve been there too. You’re not alone, and I hope what you find here encourages you. Many teenagers see church as an obligation or a place their parents make them go. They might not understand what the church is or why it matters. I […]
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 […]
I know you’re juggling a lot as a youth pastor, because I’ve been there too. You’re not alone, and I hope what you find here encourages you. Fear is one of the most common and crippling emotions teenagers face. Sometimes it’s fear of failure or fear of missing out. It could be fear of being […]
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 is an opportunity. Before the fall semester kicks off, take some time to reflect, refocus, and recalibrate your approach. This mid-year […]
