I met a youth leader this week who brought a small group of teenagers to camp. Almost all of the youth she took were without Christ. Most were without healthy families as well. After a week of forcing kids to attend Bible studies, watching boys and girls to make sure they aren’t in a room alone together, and keeping other kids from starting fights, she was exhausted. When you are a youth leader, how do you handle it when lost kids actually respond to your invitation to the youth group?

First, let’s admit it. Working with any group of teenagers is hard work. Teenagers can be demanding, emotional, deceptive, and intimidating. Working wtih teenagers who have no background in church can be even tougher. Unfortunately, lost kids often act like lost kids. Go figure. The point is that, without people like the youth leader I met, these teenagers might never hear the gospel. While I know God is in charge and I don’t mean to dump a load of guilt on any of us, God has chosen to use us to make himself known and kids really are in desperate need of a Savior. Be encouraged. Even though it is hard, you are about eternal business and God is honored when young people respond . . . even if it’s not easy.

Second, if we are reaching lost youth, we need to double up. The one adult to five kids rule doesn’t really assume that the youth group is mostly lost. When the spiritual need is great, you do need help with crowd control, but even more than that, you need loving adults who will point kids to Christ in lots of different ways. If you are the only adult, a youth may not connect with you. The more adults that are loving a youth, the more opportunity he or she has to connect with Christ.

Third, keep the focus on Christ. I know, when kids aren’t interested in the Bible, it’s easy to try to lure them with pizza and games. Pizza and games have a place in youth ministry, but they should not be the focus of your ministry . . . even with lost kids. Especially with lost kids. Keep telling them about the love of the Father who sent his only Son to be the Savior of the world.

Finally, trust the Holy Spirit. God will show you what to do. Listen and he will tell you what to say. He is at work in the lives of the youth you touch. He can draw them. Keep praying. Keep listening. Keep trusting.