Chapter 45: finding my story as a youth worker

We’re all trying to make sense of “our story,” “our purpose,” essentially, “who we were created to become.” But as I thought about telling you one chapter of my story, I found myself in an internal conversation.

Everyone has a story to tell, but does every story need a voice? Does mine?

Is there a lesson here worth sharing? Will it inspire and motivate?

Does it make sense to open the book on someone’s journey and start at page 242?

“Chapter 45” in my story hit its stride as our family began to settle into church life at Evangelical Fellowship Church in Steinbach. My life was beginning to turn in a new direction. Our youngest son was graduating high school in the coming months, and I was walking through my daily “mom” routine, to finish well. I love firsts and lasts, and I believe both matter unequivocally in the story of life.

Jodie Hartung teaches a seminar at Abundant Springs 2025. (Abundant Springs video screenshot)

If memory serves correctly, it was January when our then youth pastor approached me to create some lessons for the youth group. I had spent years writing devotionals at our previous church, so creating lessons sounded like a wonderful challenge. I dove in!

When the time came to present these lessons, essentially teaching someone to teach them, it was decided that I would become the teacher. Yikes! That I had never done. Me, teach? I was usually invisible behind a screen, without even taking credit for the content I created, so this was well beyond my comfort zone or skill set.

But I thought…okay, I could try.

And so began my five-lesson journey into public speaking/teaching—and let me tell you, just because they were youth did not make it less daunting! Our church transitioned late that summer to a new youth pastor and, as I now had teaching experience under my belt, I was asked once again to create lessons through the fall season as everyone settled into their new roles. In addition to that, I took on teaching the youth Sunday School class, and various other bits and bobs along the way.

Again, the Lord did a challenging and abundant work in me. Not only through the time spent with him to develop a new fall youth series and teach weekly Sunday school lessons, but with building community with the youth, the leaders, and through that, the entire church. I had not only found a new home church, but a sense of family, belonging, and a deeper desire to spend more time with Jesus than ever before.

The sense of community felt to me the way the early church in Acts 2:42–47 is described: “A deep sense of awe came over them all” as they worshipped, met in homes, “shared their meals with great joy and generosity all the while praising God” (NLT).

In May 2025, I had another chance to say a new and scary “yes” to the Lord—I was blessed to be a seminar teacher at Abundant Springs. But seeing what sort of kingdom work was happening and joining in was a game changer! Youth are pursuing Jesus. They are asking questions. They are supporting each other. They are making a difference.

This is not a “public service announcement” (PSA) for “doing” things for the Lord. Rather, it’s an encouragement that when you seek the Lord for your next steps, he will often surprise you, challenge you, change and grow you into someone altogether new!

I thought launching my youngest into the world would mean my life would turn into more “grownup” pursuits. In reality, I collected a whole youth group, some who have graduated and become friends, some who are a delight to watch grow in their walks with the Lord, and some who have yet to age into the programs. You know how volunteering goes: when you give time, energy and love, the greatest beneficiary often is the giver, and this was no exception.

Frankly, there is nothing like watching those kids’ eyes come alive when they get what Jesus was teaching, what the Lord is saying, and when they hear Holy Spirit whispers—wow! If I can delight in watching these kids grow and ask questions, how much more does our Heavenly Father delight in us?

So maybe this isn’t a PSA about doing, volunteering, and finding ways to serve. But at the same time, serving can be a game-changer, a spirit-mover, a life-maker. Serving the Lord will change and grow you in the best of ways!

Even though your church’s yearly programming may be in full swing, there are likely still holes to fill in the ministries in your church.

If you have a gift, use it!

If you have time, give it!

If you don’t know where to begin…ask your pastor, elders, or ministry leaders; they will have a good idea of where to direct you.

I promise your efforts will not be in vain.

You, in serving, are giving a piece of yourself to the Lord.

Don’t bury your treasure and hope for the best—let your light shine and multiply your talents.

It’s what we’re called to do!

“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:1–2 NLT).