Lead Them to Jesus: A Handbook for Youth Workers

by Mike McGarry

Do you feel overwhelmed with the logistics of starting or keeping a youth ministry going? What about the tricky theological questions that keep you and your fellow youth workers on your toes? It’s a lot for what is usually an “all-volunteer army.” Help is here! Veteran youth pastor Mike McGarry offers a practical, comprehensive tool to jumpstart your youth ministry and help youth workers with biblical answers to the tough questions students ask.  In a two-part approach, he tackles both the practical skills and biblical depth needed for effective gospel-centered ministry to today’s youth. He leads readers through twenty theological truths they should be equipped to discuss with students and offers twenty practical skills every youth worker should cultivate.  Lead Them to Jesus  offers insight into the religious worldview of Gen Z and illustrates how to connect the gospel to their questions and core desires. Not only are young people ready to discuss hard issues such as suicide, suffering, and navigating difficult relationships, they are looking for authentic leaders who are committed to speaking truth and investing into their lives.   McGarry prepares both youth pastors and ministry volunteers to go deep with students about what they believe and why. He also helps them think through the strategic role of fun and games and shares how to navigate conflict and cliques.  Lead Them to Jesus  shows youth workers how the gospel shapes every part of how they do youth ministry and will get your whole team on the same biblical and logistical page.

Genres: Christian, Theology, Leadership

208 pages, Paperback

Published August 9, 2021

Reviews

[Connor Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book on student ministry that I have ever read

[Hunter Ahlstrand · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed McGarry handbook for student ministry. I feel like it was a great resource for those starting off in student ministry. McGarry covers many topics but I always felt like he only touched the surface with some of them. I felt like I was always wanting to get just a little more but maybe that was his intention. I would recommend this to any youth worker who is starting off serving in the church for the first time. Practical and easy to read.

[Joe Johal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would 1000% recommend this book to any youth pastor or youth worker. Solidly biblical and incredibly practical

[Adam Joyner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book every youth pastor should have. The book is primarily geared toward the volunteer youth worker, however even for the paid youth pastor, the simplicity and breakdown of the book makes it a great resource on a host of youth topics!

[Anna Meade Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

My friend Mike McGarry wrote this book, and I can testify that the man practices what he preaches. I was thrilled to receive a complimentary copy from the publisher because I would have bought it anyway! Lead Them to Jesus is both deeply theological and extremely practical. Youth ministers will be encouraged to keep the gospel front and center in everything they do, even in the details of planning events and scheduling mission trips and meeting with parents. This book deserves every one of the five stars I can give it.

[Will Standridge, II · Rating 5 out of 5]

McGarry has written a phenomenal book for Youth Leaders everywhere.

I’m getting every one of my volunteers a copy. It gives accessible theological advice about both foundational and complex issues. It also lays out a compelling Youth Ministry philosophy.

This is a tour de force student ministry manual. I could not recommend it more highly.

[Jared · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lead Them to Jesus helps pastors and youth ministers equip and disciple their youth ministry team. Mike combines basic training in biblical doctrine with a gospel-centered philosophy of ministry and a practical mindset. The chapters that help youth workers care for students who doubt or struggle with biblical sexuality are particularly helpful. I can imagine a student ministry team huddling before their weekly gatherings to discuss a chapter each week.

[Michael Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource for someone asked to start a youth ministry at their church, or a veteran ministry leader looking for a practical tool to equip their volunteers. Doesn’t go overly in depth in any one topic, and not every chapter pertains to every group in the praxis half of the book, but helpful nonetheless. Wish I’d had this book when I was starting in youth ministry!

[Joseph Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a fellow Youth Pastor, I wish I had this book starting out in ministry! Lots of practical wisdom, meaningful insights, and helpful advice on how to best start, develop, and endure youth ministry. Great intro for anyone serving among students!

[Ernest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would gladly give this resource to any new leaders and especially Youth Pastors starting out. Experienced YPs will know much of this but there are some good insights and important reminders. Worth the time to read and glean ways to improve one’s own ministry.

[Nickolas Hartman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mike does a great job highlighting the most important questions students ask in student ministry and the practical applications for youth ministry. I used this resource with all my youth leaders. It’s helpful and covers most, if not all the bases…

[Sarah-Marie Rosin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource for youth workers, and youth ministers. Gives an overview of the core topics of theology, and then goes into very practical discussions of youth topics, and ministry as well. Helped me as a student ministry volunteer.

[Derek Plegge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good resource to help in the area of youth ministry!

Youth volunteers will enjoy the first half but might find the second half geared for the full-time youth leader.

[Hannah Spragins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was full of practical advice for youth ministry. Definitely a great resource for someone just starting out.

[Charles Hirschy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource for anyone in ministry!

[Mark E. Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource for practical ministry, definitely something I want to read multiple times.

[Ethan Moehn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every youth ministry worker should own this book. It’s remarkably well done.

[Luke Holder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book on knowing as a youth pastor or leader on how to go through conversations with students.

[Rachael Woodall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical and encouraging for youth leaders!

[Reuben Antvelink · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read many youth ministry books and none have profoundly helped and encouraged me like this book. From the thoughtful way the book is laid out to the content that it has inside this book. It is well thought out and beneficial to anyone in youth ministry. The author truly has a grasp of what Youth Workers are in need of hearing and learning. This book will be a must in my training of volunteers and become a yearly read as I serve the Church. This book is truly a classic and will be useful for generations to come. Buy this book, learn from it and be encouraged. I should say that I received a complementary copy of the book, but was not required to write a positive review. To all the Glory be to God and the what a mighty work God is doing through Mike with him releasing this blessing to all of us.

[Macy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an effective and practical tool for youth ministry. It gives youth leaders a clear mission to "build adult disciples whose faith took root in their teen years." Connect them to the whole body of Christ, not just kids their age.