Professional Youth Ministry: A Changing Landscape

by Dietrich Kirk

In 1994 I was 20 years old, studying electrical engineering, trying to play basketball, and working 10 hours a week as an intern at a Methodist church in Memphis. That summer I attended a youth ministry event in the North Carolina Mountains.

All week long as I sat through worship services, led a small group, and participated in the event’s activities, I heard God whispering to me that I was called to a life ministering to teenagers. I did my best to put off the voice; I was nervous as it was working with the teenagers under my care at the event.

One evening I took a walk and ended up sitting on a bridge overlooking the water. Then God asked me, “Why can’t you do it?”
God didn’t need to tell me what “it” was—I already knew. And I had my excuses ready.

“Well, the money isn’t very good,” I replied.
God said, ”That’s awfully selfish.”
I knew it was, so I said, “What about basketball and engineering?”
God replied, “Don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of it.”
After a long moment, I replied, “Alright, let’s do it.”
I walked off that bridge a different person—one who knew and believed God’s purpose for his life.

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