Parents

Too often in student ministry we can get focused on what is right in front of us. Unfortunately at times, we can get tunnel vision on just our students, forgetting some very important people: you! You’re the number one influence in all areas of your student’s life, but especially with regards to faith. Having committed christian parents enables a teenager to have a constant source of discipleship as well as a model of what the christian life looks like on a daily basis.

God intends for parents to serve as the primary spiritual instructors of their children (Deuteronomy 6:4-9) and for those He calls as ministers to equip His people for service (Ephesians 4:11-13). We as organizational leaders and a church-whole have too long failed to equip parents for their vital role in the spiritual instruction and leadership of their students. Many parents in churches fail to fulfill their responsibility for the spiritual development of their children (Judges 2:10, 14). We, at Oak Grove Student Ministries, understand that we make our greatest impact upon unbelieving youth and families when our own youth and families are healthy spiritually (1 Timothy 3:1-13). We want to take on our rightful role as pastoral ministers to parents, acknowledging parents as the primary spiritual leaders of their children and serving parents in that role. We encourage our leaders to partner with the parent’s of their students. We want leaders and parents to work together to help their students grow in their relationship with God and navigate through their school years.

We want to champion the call to pray for parents and to mobilize parents to pray for their teenagers, to spend intentional time each week administering and communicating ministries that impact the home. We are in need to consistently involve parents with leaders and resources that equip parents for biblical parenting and primary discipling of their children. We aim to plan events and experiences that bring parents and teenagers together when it best achieves ministry purposes.

We believe parents want to make the investment, and take the lead role in their student’s life, many unfortunately are not sure how. Consider this: what would youth programs look like if both the parents and the church worked in concert with each other building disciples? We would see something amazing.

Join us in this ministry. We don’t have all the answers but together, we can come close!