We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us (Romans 12:6a). Paul taught that we have different gifts with the grace given to each of us and that we should use those gifts. As youth directors, we need to use those gifts for ministry so that the volunteers feel the joy of being in ministry as opposed to simply being used.

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:4-7).

Paul also taught the valuable lesson that there are many gifts and a variety of ministries. What I find interesting is that God works through a variety of people for the common good. Volunteers can do many of the activities in this list, which is not exhaustive but gives an idea of what can be done:

• Meet, greet, register, and encourage youth at events
• Go to students’ events and activities
• Build relationships with a particular group of students
• Coach students in art, graphics, and so on for publicizing events
• Coach a student prayer team
• Lead a teacher prayer team
• Lead a community prayer team
• Lead a student worship team
• Lead a Bible study
• Guide and coach students in a drama team
• Coach students in games and activities
• Reach students in a particular group or clique (for example, skateboarders, Goths, video gamers, bikers, computer whizzes, band members, and athletes)

Utilizing volunteers in your ministry nets great benefits for you, the students, and the volunteers:

a. You can minister to more students. The best youth leader can minister personally to only about sixty students. Every time you add a volunteer, you can add about five to fifteen students, who come and connect with that volunteer.

So if you want to know how to get more students involved, then get more volunteers involved!

b. You can reduce the pressure and stress of trying to get everything done in your ministry. You now have more brain power, more person power!

c. You can better reach the tough, “unreachable” student.

In the movie Pearl Harbor, Alec Baldwin’s character, Colonel Doolittle, talks about how powerful a volunteer can be. While watching the pilots prepare, he says to a commander that their forces will win the war because “there’s nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer.”

My point is that there are those special people with a heart for youth and ministry, waiting for you to ask them to help you reach students. They will be helpful, loyal, priceless, and will take to the task with more heart than you can ever imagine! Their gifts will help your ministry grow and prosper (while you look good in the process), but most of all, you too will grow!

Volunteers have no worth—they are priceless!