Christie - Do you feel like you connect better (or more easily) with Jr. High or High School Students? Can you explain?

James - For me, Sr. High. I have always had an affinity to them, their issues and communication seems to be easier.

Christie - Do you feel that Jr. High and High School Classes in Student Ministry should be separate? Can you explain?

James - Absolutely!!! They are dealing with such difference issues that you cannot effectively meet both sets of needs in one setting. In a perfect world I would have multiple venues. A combined time for worship and teaching and then small groups separated by grade.

Christie - What is your favorite part of being involved (either now or in the past) in Student Ministry?

James - Seeing the lives changed. We had one young lady in Florida who was living a lesbian lifestyle, a hard-core gang member. She was in a Friday Late Night Worship Service and in the middle of it came to the altar, repented and denounced the lifestyle, the gang, everything she had been a part of. Now she is a Youth Pastor in Vero Beach, FL and rocking her world for Jesus!

Christie - What is the HARDEST thing you have ever had to do as a Student Ministry Pastor?

James - Deal with teenager’s ISSUES! Whether it is dealing with eating disorders, cutting, suicide, or depression. The hardest part of any ministry is seeing hurting people hurt. Sometimes it is overwhelming but we know the answer!

Christie - Do you feel like Student Ministry is difficult? (I know you will say HECK YES! to this... James, I personally feel like being a Student Pastor is THE HARDEST MINISTRY EVER!) My next question would be, why would you say that this ministry could be pretty difficult to take on?

James - You know, I am changing my thoughts the more I deal with adults. Compared to that, Student Ministry is not that bad… The most difficult thing in Student Ministry is the PARENTS! If we could just get the ministry and the parents on the same page it would be so much easier. Most parents want to be able to drop off their kids and we be the answer to everything. But the fact is I cannot be, and don’t want to be, their dad. That is not my job, my job is to mentor them and help them navigate their lives. They still need parents to be parents!

Christie - What could we do differently to make this ministry a more sustainable ministry for the students and for those who serve as Student Ministers?

James - HAVE FUN! Spend time with the staff, leadership/ministry training, retreats, etc… Invite the core student leaders, establish an intern program that includes them and prepares them for when they graduate to be involved in a ministry role.

Christie - What is the #1 resource that has changed your way of thinking for the better with regards to Student Ministry? (This would be a MUST READ for new Student Pastors everywhere...)

James - Purpose Driven Youth Ministry by Doug Fields as well as his prequel book, Your First Two Years in Youth Ministry.

Christie - What website would you recommend for Student Ministry Pastor Resources?

James - Youth Specialties, Group, North Point Community Church, Catalyst

Christie - You were my Youth Pastor many years ago (don't we feel old?!) , what led you to take that first step in Student Ministry right out of Bible College? What has kept you close to students over the years?

James - Our personalities played a huge role in it. I am really still a big kid in many ways. We enjoy being around teens, always have. We love being able to sow into the lives of the next generation.

Christie - Tell us about what you are up to these days so we can celebrate with you, the great things God is doing in your life. Also, this is a place for personal plugs - blog/website, etc.

James - We kicked off The Dream Factory Teen Center in Hot Springs, AR in December 2008. We have developed this as a “fishing pool” to be able to reach the unchurched kids that most churches are not reaching.

In our first three months we have averaged over 50 kids every Friday night and kicked off the program with a concert with 350 present. It is just a place to come every Friday night, 7-10PM, and play pool and basketball, air hockey, Nintendo WII, just a great place to hang out and stay out of trouble.

We have just developed a Small Group program, Driven, that is designed around helping get the teens into a place of maturity by adding accountability, belonging, and care in their lives.

You can check out our stuff at www.myspace.com/dreamfactoryhs or www.thebridgehotsprings.org . You can also see my blog at http://thebridgehotsprings.blogspot.com/

**

Special Thanks to James for sharing his heart with us through this interview.

James was the first Student Ministry Pastor I had. He believed in me, and added me to the Student Ministry Team in North East, Maryland at seventeen years of age.

I love James and his wife Deidre so much and really miss the Friday nights at the Bates' place where the most delicious cheese and salsa dip flowed like honey - (this was Deidre's secret recipe). I remember Bro. Hopper getting pudding in his hearing aid when Richie Miller tried to feed him while he was blindfolded - CRAZY TIMES! Good Times.

Thanks James for being a good friend and a great leader in my life.

I love you guys.