Teens mentor through servant leadership disciplines

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)—Sit-ups, push-ups, leg-lifts and stretches prepare a group of teenagers and college students to run "the triangle" around their church property. Gathered in a circle to begin with prayer, a young man petitions God to help them serve and encourage each other as they learn to lead others.

Through rigorous spiritual, emotional and physical training, the servant leadership emphasis at San Jose Baptist Church, Jacksonville, is a growth-training activity designed to establish leaders among the church’s youth.

"I expect a lot out of the servant leadership teenagers because it’s a huge impact on all of the ministry. It raises the bar of spirituality. The greater the stretch of character, the greater culmination of servant leaders," said student minister Mike Domke.

Burdened to find ways to keep teens in church, Domke started servant leadership effort six years ago.

Domke began to assess the constant change in young people’s lives that was causing church drop-outs among teens due to dating relationships and jobs. As teens became older and took on additional school, work and life responsibilities, they all too often became involved with everything but God, said Domke.

So he created the servant leadership emphasis designed for the older teens to disciple the younger students. He offered to meet one-on-one with anyone who wanted to experience spiritual growth. Several teens responded, creating a core group.

Eventually he added physical training to the spiritual principles to teach discipline and the concept that the body is a temple. The physical regiment is intended to test the teen’s true character and who they are in moments of difficulty. "We stretch and grow them to empower them to do things in their world," said Domke.

The emphasis is implemented every April and builds to a weeklong challenge at summer camp.

During this spring’s kick-off session, Domke reenacted the Biblical example of ultimate servanthood as he knelt center-stage in the youth room to wash one of his student’s feet. He then challenged them to participate in the servant leadership emphasis and an opportunity to learn about daily living a Christ-like life.

Students were given 24 hours to consider the test of character and measure of faith the commitment is known to involve and decide whether or not to participate.

Fourteen-year-old Megan Beaudin is one of nearly 20 who accepted Domke’s appeal. As a first time participant in the servant leadership emphasis, she said she decided to "get closer to God (so) He can show through me to other people."

To increase this year’s dynamics, Domke asked the church’s college and career class to walk in faith and take an increased leadership role with the younger youth.

"Our call was to grow in our relationship with God", said Jeremy Hicks, the group’s worship leader. Hicks works full time for an advanced communications network and spends his free time mentoring the servant leadership boys.

Twelve single adults volunteered and now teach, organize physical training and lead all the servant leadership courses.

"I’ve been a part of servant leadership for past three years and only saved for four years," said Hicks. "As a new Christian starving to grow in Christ, I wouldn’t be as far as I am if this opportunity hadn’t been available. It’s growing my relationship with Christ and has challenged me to live outside these walls. Now I’m going other places doing ministry and even considering it fulltime."

Ashley DeFoor was in high school and involved in servant leadership when the program began. She returned to Jacksonville after finishing her college nursing degree. She said she finds the lessons learned in this ministry shaped her college years and continue to help her impact her world today.

In their group time, DeFoor shares the testimony of impacting her world and encourages the girls to share their own.

"At work, I see the idea of being a leader through being a servant, doing things in areas where people don’t see or get recognition. Leading out by being a servant changes your attitude when you think about ministering. It changes the thoughts and ways you do things. You do it because it’s the way Christ served," DeFoor explained.