Building Wisely for the Next Generation

Building Wisely for the Next Generation

In Luke 14:28–29, Jesus asks, “Which of you, wanting to build a tower, doesn’t first sit down and count the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, after he has laid the foundation and cannot finish, all the onlookers will begin to ridicule him.” His point is clear—good intentions are not enough. To build something that lasts, we must plan carefully and use our resources wisely.

That’s exactly our approach to youth ministry at FBC. God has blessed us with students who are eager to grow, leaders who are willing to serve, and a church family who is committed to the next generation. But if we want to see this ministry thrive, we can’t just “hope for the best.” We need to be intentional—structuring our time, energy, and resources in ways that create opportunities for growth, discipleship, and outreach.

This means making thoughtful choices: planning lessons that connect with students’ lives, creating a welcoming environment where they feel they belong, recruiting and training volunteers, and setting a clear vision that inspires students to invite their friends. It also means being good stewards of our budget, our meeting spaces, and even our leaders’ energy, so we can build for the long haul.

When we combine prayerful dependence on God with wise, strategic planning, we create a healthy foundation for growth. We believe that if we faithfully steward what God has given us now, He will multiply it—just as Jesus multiplied the loaves and fish to feed thousands.

The next chapter of our youth ministry will be written by all of us—leaders, parents, students, and the church body—working together, investing our time, our talents, and our prayers. Let’s build wisely, expectantly, and with our eyes on the One who makes all growth possible.

Cody Dowden