Fuller Youth Institute

Youth leader, in case no one else has said it yet: WAY TO GO. You made it through another ministry year, and that’s a big deal.

What do you do first when summer begins—take a break, or plan your fall launch?

Mission trips and service projects can be deeply transformative experiences for young people, but only when we approach them with humility, preparation, and a posture of listening.

In episode one of The FYI on Youth Ministry podcast, Carlos Piñero, Dick Lee, and Jen Bradbury reflect on the purpose of mission and service trips, how to prepare students well, and why these experiences still matter for spiritual formation today.

Listen to Season 13, Episode 1 wherever you get your podcasts.

As summer approaches, students lose structure and routine.

That shift can create space for growth or lead to disconnection.

Helping students take one intentional step can shape their entire summer.

What’s one thing you want your students to focus on this summer?

Students are expected to adapt quickly after graduation, but many are not given the tools to process change.

Adapting is a skill that can be developed. One simple way to start is by asking better questions and listening well.

We created a discussion guide to help leaders do this.

Many leaders are asking the same question right now: What is actually different about Gen Alpha?

The answer is not just behavior. It’s environment. Teens are forming identity and faith across multiple spaces at once. That changes how ministry needs to show up.

What feels hardest to adjust in your ministry right now?

Graduation season is meaningful and busy.

It’s easy to feel like you need to plan something big to make it count.

But often, simple and intentional moments are what students remember most.

Here are a few ideas you can use right away to celebrate your seniors well.

If you’re looking for a meaningful gift, consider something that helps them carry their faith forward.

Which of these ideas feels most doable for your ministry?

If you want a mission trip to have lasting impact on your students, you need a clear plan for before, during, and after.

FYI’s Faith & Mission resources were crafted to help you lead those moments well.

Which part of the process do you focus on most?

You planned the youth group night. You prepared the message. Only a few students walk in.

That moment can change how you lead the rest of the night. Most leaders feel it.

The question is what you do next.

Swipe through.

Summer is often one of the busiest seasons in youth ministry.

Trips, transitions, and new rhythms all happen at once. It can feel like a lot to hold together.

Before everything gets moving, it helps to focus on a few key priorities:
Meaningful experiences
Supporting graduating seniors
Preparing for mental health conversations

We gathered resources to help you lead each of these areas well.

What are you focusing on most this summer?

You planned the night.
You showed up ready.

Only a few students walked in.

That moment can mess with your confidence.

What you do in that room still matters.