Fun in faith
Working as a youth pastor means so much more than hanging out with kids for a few hours a week. For Christian ministries grads Evan Lebo ’17 and Cody Sherry ’12, it’s about intentionality, forming relationships, hanging out and pointing the younger generation toward Christ.
The two alums work at Mechanicsburg Brethren in Christ Church as youth and young adult pastors. Lebo works with middle schoolers while Sherry takes charge of the high schoolers.
“Youth ministry has to come out of a deep passion for the next generation and a strong belief that these students are worth the time and energy it takes to get to know them,” said Sherry.
Supporting students comes in many different ways. It’s much more than playing a few fun games, singing some songs, listening to a Bible lesson and going home. On any given week, these pastors attend sporting events and theatrical performances of the youth from their church. Sherry also writes more than his share of college recommendations.
While they hope to leave a lasting impact on the children they’re in charge of, youth pastors might not see the results. Patience is key. Lebo said, “I’m realizing more and more that my job often looks like planting seeds in students that may not come to fruition for years down the road.”
And, let’s face it: Kids want to have fun.
“You can’t take yourself too seriously if you want to relate to middle school students,” said Lebo.
Youth group is a place where kids can burn energy and be goofy while also establishing meaningful relationships with others. Sometimes, the path to conversation is as simple as a trip to Chick-Fil-A, where the value of breaking bread together forms solid relationships.
Realizing that the world has a monopoly of fun for students already, the two pastors work to offer something the world cannot: human connection. Sherry said, “When you demonstrate that your ministry is a place where students can talk, laugh, share and be safe, they connect.”
—Jake Miaczynski ’20