We are excited to introduce Paul Brandes as our new (temporary) youth ministry consultant! By serving in this role, Paul will be a vital piece in keeping the Igniter Student Ministry rolling—and moving forward—in the time following Pastor Loren's resignation.
As youth ministry consultant, Paul will have three main functions:
Assessment: attending youth functions; meeting with parents, students, and volunteers to get a good picture of our current youth ministry
Recommendation: help to develop a plan for maintaining ministry through the fall and into spring (during our search for a new youth pastor)
Search Process: help the elders by speaking into the search process based on his work this summer
We are so thankful God provided Paul to serve our church in this way at this time. And, because he will be working here behind the scenes, we wanted to give you a chance to get to know Paul.
Please read the interview below, and join us in praying for Paul and our Igniter Student Ministry during this time of transition.
Grace: Tell us about yourself and your family.
Paul: My wife Ashley and I have been married for ten years. We have two sons, Bevyn (5) and Owen (3).
When you are not helping us out at Grace, what are you doing?
I'm currently serving as the Chaplain at my undergrad alma mater, Sterling College, where Ashley and I met. I'm also helping my best friend from seminary, Caleb Barrows, plant a new Fellowship of Evangelical Church in Lyons, KS called King's Cross Church.
You look kind of familiar... where have I seen you before?
I wish I could say I had a first life as a reality television star, but I'd be lying.
If you recognize me, it's likely because I've visited Grace a few times, including once to give an interview with Caleb about King's Cross. And I'm thrilled to be coming to preach on July 5!
How did your role as our youth ministry consultant come about?
The genesis of my calling to pastoral ministry came as a result of the influence of the two incredible youth pastors I had in middle and high school. "I want to do for others what Brandon and Dan did for me," I thought.
I've been privileged to serve various youth groups over the past dozen years, and even though my pastoral calling and work have broadened out, it truly is my first love. If I can be helpful to students, sign me up!
Specifically for Grace, I've spent the past year working at Sterling College for David Landis [editor’s note: David is our elder chairman here at Grace]. He and I both thought youth ministry consulting would make general synergistic sense for my role as Chaplain, and that I might have something specific to offer Grace at this time.
Why are you excited about filling this role at Grace?
As I've heard more about what the Lord is up to right now at Grace, the word that keeps coming to mind is "transition."
While transitions can be scary, the Lord can (and often does) use them to catalyze amazing growth. I'm so excited to get a front row seat to the amazing things that I believe God is going to do in and through Grace!
What are your goals for your time as our youth ministry consultant?
I hope to provide helpful assessment of the youth ministry, a recommendation for how to structure the ministry for the next semester or two, and provide input on the search process for the next youth pastor.
How can we, as a church, be praying for you?
Pray that I would listen well and provide truthful insight that proves to be deeply helpful.