Philosophy of Ministry
Our philosophy of ministry is grounded in the Great Commission, which calls us to reach and evangelize the lost, making disciples who will carry forward the ministry in accordance with God’s unique calling on their lives. This mission is not just about numbers but about cultivating deep, meaningful relationships that build each other up in Christ and encourage a profound, personal relationship with God. By focusing on evangelism and discipleship, fostering life-changing relationships, building up the body of Christ, encouraging spiritual growth, and glorifying God in all we do, we can fulfill the calling to make disciples who are equipped and inspired to continue the work of the ministry, advancing God’s kingdom here on earth.
Our Testimony
On July 13th, 2013, I was on a mission trip in El Salvador. My team and I were ministering to a group of people when a woman approached us with her four-year-old granddaughter, Daniella, asking if we could pray for her healing. Daniella had suffered a clavicle fracture a few months before, and she was in a great deal of pain. With faith in a miracle, we prayed for God to heal her and make her whole. After nearly half an hour of prayer, the healing did not occur, and we thought God was saying, "not yet." As people began to disperse and pray for others, Daniella cried out, begging us to continue praying for her. We repeated this cycle two more times, and each time she pleaded in her native language, "Please pray, I believe God will heal me." God rewarded this little girl's faith because after persistent prayer, Daniella was healed. She could raise her arms above her head without pain, and the bone was obviously no longer broken.
In that moment, I broke down and realized that God had not only healed Daniella's physical condition but was also showing grace and mercy in my life by healing my spiritual condition. I felt God speak to me, saying, "Tell my children about me." This began my journey of discovering what that meant and what God was calling me to do.
Five years later, after Jocelyn and I got married, we started attending Findlay First Assembly of God in Findlay, Ohio. We had both grown up in the church, but it was not until we came to Findlay First that we felt truly at home. From the moment we stepped into that building, we felt like we had found our family. It was here that our calling was confirmed through our Senior Pastor, Glen Hammons. We began working with the youth, and by the end of 2018, we were youth pastors.
During our six years as youth pastors, we have witnessed God work in ways that can only be attributed to His power. In a smaller church with an average adult attendance of 140-160, our youth ministry has grown exponentially. Starting with just six students, we have seen over 100 students come through to date. While growth in numbers is remarkable, the spiritual growth we have observed is even more significant. We have witnessed 20 first-time conversions, 21 rededications, 12 baptisms, and five calls to ministry. Additionally, numerous relationships have been restored, demonstrating the profound impact of this ministry.
We recognize that what we have witnessed and accomplished is not because of us; it is solely God working through us to accomplish His will. We are so blessed and honored that God has chosen to use us in this way, and we believe that He will continue to work through us wherever He calls us. We are simply happy to answer the call, wherever it may lead, with joy, knowing that His will, will be accomplished and that we will see more and more people in eternity with us, worshipping our Savior.
First Time Salvations
30
Rededication
47
Baptisms
16
Calls to the Ministry
6
WHAT WE DO
Every week, we hold youth services designed to meet students where they are so they can encounter Christ, who will ultimately transform their lives. We accomplish this through Wednesday services, hosting events, going on retreats, and organizing connection times that focus on five key areas of ministry that foster life-changing relationships with God and people.
In all we do, we LOVE students because Christ first loved us. We CONNECT with each student by engaging with their interests and recognizing the unique individuals God created them to be. We TEACH biblical truths that guide them closer to Christ. We DEVELOP their God-given gifts and help them discover ways to serve others and God. Finally, we SEND them into the world to replicate this process with others, praying that their ministry will surpass what we have accomplished and believing that God will use them in powerful ways.
Life Changing Relationships
The Captains
Wednesday night Services
Events
Camp
Service
It's about people
As you can see, we prioritize building relationships with people and students. We firmly believe that God uses these connections to reach others. By creating deep, meaningful relationships, we allow people to see Jesus through us and inspire them to seek a deeper relationship with Him.
We connect with people because Jesus connected us to the Father
John 14:6
We Serve people because Jesus Served people
John 13:14-15
We sacrifice for people because Jesus sacrificed everything for people
1 Peter 2:24
We love people because God loves people
1 John 4:19