Dave: I'm committed to faith formation being packed with significant experiences. We tend to go all-in for the unusual such as mission trips, but we undermine common experiences. I'd like us to be more attentive to how we come alongside kids in their experiences. Then they can discover God in powerful, breakthrough ways in the midst of a family crisis they cannot escape or in the midst of learning how to navigate the weekend party scene. We can help them respond in ways that are consistent with the love and justice issues Jesus identified.

YWJ: What role should youth workers play in helping students execute their ideas about how to change the world?

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Kara: Help them come up with a plan; make sure they have resources; recruit others who share the dream; encourage them when they're down; and celebrate with them when they see God do great things. Process and cry with them if their plans crash, supporting them in ways that help preserve the dream and passion to keep serving even when their first, second, third and fourth plans fail.

Mike: One of the things that's so encouraging about youth is their passion. That needs to be tempered by wisdom. That's where youth workers come in: Enable youth to pursue their vision if it's in the Lord. If it's not of the Lord, then help youth discern that and redirect their vision toward something else.

Austin: Really encourage kids to do something. See what we have to say. Brainstorm with us. Ask us, "What is it you like to do? Why do you want to make a difference?" There are so many kids who want to make a difference. Sometimes it's hard for us to say it. When kids realize adults care about us, it makes a difference.

Dave: I can imagine some kids who are ready to take on those kinds of things. They've sown seeds of character, diligence and perseverance. They've understood servant leadership. When someone such as that says he or she wants to change the world, try to open doors for that person. I also know students who haven't done anything to distinguish themselves as reputable followers of Jesus. They're going from not being well-regarded by their peers to wanting to change the world. In that case, our role is to challenge them not to lose sight of that vision while helping them slow them down and go through some paces to get them ready.

YWJ: What kind of church is needed to support a vision of youth ministry that includes a heart for changing the world?

Kara: A church that's ready to be inconvenienced—kids changing the world is messy and the process of changing the world messes with kids. We have kids at our church who are choosing different majors because of what they've learned about justice. Sometimes it sounds like walking away from "The American Dream," which can be inconvenient for parents.

Mike: This faith that we have in Christ is meant to be a catalyst for the redemption of the world. God uses the church and us Christians in very unique and tangible ways to accomplish His purpose. If we aren't doing it, who will be?