In this 26th year of PCNAK, our Keralite Pentecostal churches are beginning to see a rise of young people who have a calling to be a youth pastor. Many of these youth pastors find a home within our own community churches, while many do not. Churches, large or small, should take steps to reach the youth more effectively by incorporating youth pastors.

What is the purpose of having a youth pastor?
Pastor Mathew D. George (Denny), youth pastor of Ebenezer Church of God Philadelphia, PA, points out the need of “giving proper Biblical guidance to children and youth who are babes in the faith.” Although churches have youth programs and different gatherings aimed specifically at the youth, do these activities reach the youth to a depth that is needed to anchor these young Christians in the faith? Additionally, some youth have difficulty in applying spiritual messages in their daily lives because of the language barrier. They listen intently, but the messages do not penetrate their hearts. This is similar to the seed that fell by the way side (Matthew 13:19). Sunday school programs and once a month youth meetings can only go so far to satisfy the spiritual thirst of youth. Further, youths may not feel comfortable in speaking to adults about different topics, such as how to reach out to a peer in school. Although having a youth pastor offers many advantages, many churches may be hesitant to add a youth pastor to the church. According to Denny, these churches should ask some fundamental questions:
1. Can the senior pastor take on this role? (This means separate services for youth as well as “identify with” and “relate to” youth without a language barrier).
2. Are there any youth or children in the church? If so, what is the church's long term vision concerning the responsibility to guide the youth to be followers of Christ?

What is the role of the youth pastor in the Keralite Pentecostal Churches?
Pastor Biju Thomas, youth pastor of IPC Hebron Houston, says defining the role of a youth pastor is the biggest step to the process of adding a youth pastor. According to Biju, there have been situations where youth pastors are invited to minister to the youth, but are given no specific responsibilities. Some churches want the youth pastor to only lead the current programs that are in the church. Churches need to define roles for the youth pastor so that the youth pastor is used to the full extent of his abilities. In large churches, youth pastors may have to develop programs for the young children as well as the young adults. However, these responsibilities need to be defined. Since Pastor Biju and Pastor Denny are their respective church’s first youth pastor, both are going through a transition period. Pastor Biju is having discussions with the youth as well as the adults of his church to decide his role in the church and what ministries he should lead, such as Holy Communion and baptisms.

Youth pastors can cater directly to the needs of the youth and initiate programs that can deeply impact the youth. Biju and Denny are involved in programs such as a weekly Friday night youth prayer, Saturday night worship, Sunday morning service, and personal ministry with the youth of his church. Biju and Denny also takes time during the Sunday morning services to deliver a short message to the youth. The addition of a youth pastor can help to remove the stifling stigma that church is just a once a week service. With established programs youth can feel part of the ministry since the programs will be for the youth and by the youth. A youth pastor can equip our Pentecostal youths to be bible believing youths who are ready to reach out to peers and strangers with sound doctrine. Further, youths might feel more comfortable to bring their friends to a meeting led by a youth pastor. The addition of a youth pastor can be a great opportunity to evangelize, not only to the youth of the church, but many in the community.

What are the characteristics of a youth pastor?
A youth pastor should meet certain characteristics and qualities to become a youth pastor in our Keralite Pentecostal churches. As Apostle Paul states to a young Timothy, a youth pastor should be an example to all believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity (1 Timothy 4:12). Youth pastors need to be of the highest conduct and be leading a moral life since they are leaders to a malleable crowd. Denny, who had a calling for the ministry from a young age, states that a youth pastor should be preparing for a full-time ministry and should become ordained by his respective denomination. Additionally, the youth pastor “should be enrolled or has completed at least a Bachelor's degree in any field of ministry.” Denny also adds that if the youth pastor is not married, then marriage is highly recommended.

How should youth pastors be incorporated into the church?
Churches that see a need for a youth pastor should proceed with prayer and actively seek a qualified youth pastor that will meet the needs of the church and the youth. Prayer is essential to find a person that serves our God with all his strength, in truth and spirit. Once a youth pastor is selected, the church should show all due diligence in welcoming the youth pastor to the church. Denny adds few paramount steps that all churches should take to invite a youth pastor:
1. The youth pastor should have a long term vision for the Kingdom and have a burden for the next generation. The youth pastor should have the freedom to implement his vision.
2. The church should be willing to submit to his leadership as he submits to those who are over him and respect him as a servant of God.
3. The church should become good stewards of finances and pay the youth pastor a salary.
4. The role of the youth pastor should be defined with input from the youth pastor, pastors, and youths.

Keralite Pentecostal churches should consider the need for a youth pastor as part of the ministry to effectively reach the youth. A youth pastor can equip the youth and teach them the disciplines of being a follower of Christ. As the first youth pastor of a church, the youth pastor may go through a transition period to define their roles in the church. In the end, the whole church should benefit from having a youth pastor.