I have just recently been hired as the new youth pastor for Turning Leaf Community Church of the Nazarene. When I first accepted my call into the ministry during my second year of college, I decided to become the full time intern for the two youth pastors at my local church. I learned many things about life and ministry but soon realized I needed to be formally educated in such matters. I then left my hometown of Phoenix, Arizona and moved to San Diego to attend Point Loma Nazarene University. During the summers I worked and interned for a couple different youth pastors getting opportunities to plan events, preach, and minister to youth. After graduation I still needed a formal internship credit so I decided to commit to serving one year under my youth pastor Breck Sneed. I learned some new things but for the most part felt very confident about accepting a ministry as youth pastor somewhere else.

Then the call came. A new church plant in the west valley wanted me to be their youth pastor. After much prayer, I accepted the call and became the new youth pastor for Turning Leaf.
Soon following my acceptance of this new position I suddenly felt this sense of inadequacy and anxiety. Before, I was simply the intern, all responsibility fell to the youth pastor not me. Now all the responsibility for these students was on me. It was in this moment that I felt the weight of such a call and have not taken this call to ministry lightly. Each morning I wake up and feel the wonderful responsibility of being a shepherd. I have all the same knowledge and ministry philosophies that I did before, my perspective has changed. Suddenly, this thing called ministry became so much more serious. My task was no longer to observe, but to lead.

I constantly worry about my performance, this may not seem right, but it keeps me sharp, growing, stretching, and accountable. I don't want to let these students down. I don't want to blow it. So I am constantly seeking God through the process, in the process, and just giving Him praise. I know that as long as I am in Him, grace is abundant. We are only two months along in this new church, and I couldn't ask for better support. My students, parents, and church family are simply amazing, authentic people seeking after God and loving one another. It truly is amazing how a simple title can change your entire perspective. I couldn't ask for anything more.