News / Education
Young adult specialist sees future for his generation
New studies help young adults explore the Bible in relevant ways
LifeWay Research showed evidence of this fact in its study, “LifeWay Research Uncovers Reasons 18 to 22 Year Olds Drop Out of Church,” conducted in April and May of 2007 and published in the Nov./Dec. 2007 issue of Facts & Trends magazine.
Armed with this research, LifeWay Christian Resources introduced Threads, a ministry initiative to intentionally engage young adults, which included the hiring of Jason Hayes in June 2007 as the young adult ministry specialist.
Big job, but he’s up to it.
At age 30, Hayes is a young adult himself. He knows the world and the culture. He’s also an experienced minister, having earned a master of divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; served as minister of students at First Baptist Church Concord in Knoxville, Tenn., and served as a teaching pastor at Long Hollow Baptist Church in Hendersonville, Tenn., with the assignment of expanding churchwide spiritual growth along with the design of creative environments, resource development and worship planning.
Recently, Hayes sat down with Facts & Trends and answered some questions about young adult ministry, Threads and a few things about himself. Facts & Trends magazine is the official news magazine of LifeWay Christian Resources. For more on Jason Hayes and the Threads ministry initiative, including multimedia, visit LifeWay.com/News.
Facts & Trends: Why is ministry to young adults “the next new thing” now, as opposed to say, five years ago?
Jason Hayes: Sadly, it really should have been more important five or 10 years ago, but I am grateful that it is now. The reasons for its arrival at the forefront of discussion is probably because of the new research that identifies the need, our cultural climate towards Christ and the church, as well as the obvious absence of young adults in the church.
F&T: Why do you think churches aren’t doing young adult ministry well?
JH: In the past, there traditionally has been a lack of urgency to specifically target this generation. This lack of urgency led to a lack of staffing and attention given to this generation. Then add to that the misguided perceptions about what young adults want and need, and too many churches lost sight of an effective ministry approach toward this age group.
Young adults said they were bored with the lack of biblical depth and excellence in our churches. This led them to a perception that the church is irrelevant. They just didn’t see passion and excellence. Unfortunately, they were probably right.
F&T: Churches say it is hard to plan an event for young adults because they won’t commit to anything more than a few days in advance – something better might come up. Yet, the young adults say they want and will attend big, fun events. So, how can there be a working compromise?
JH: I don’t believe that to be accurate. Just look at culture – they buy U2 tickets almost a year before the actual show. The key is perceived value. I think most people are hesitant to get on board with things they deem as not being valuable or beneficial.
F&T: What do young adults want that churches can immediately provide today – not in a year from now?
JH: What we heard young adults say is that they desire the following four things: community, depth, connection and social responsibility. Notice I didn’t mention any prescriptive magic formula for what that necessarily looks like in your church. Each church is unique and these pillars may need to be applied differently to fit each one.
F&T: What is your goal for Threads?
JH: The goal of Threads is to direct the young adult generation toward a closer relationship with God and to reconnect the church with young adults.
F&T: It’s been a year now since the first Threads resources have been out. What kind of feedback are you getting from young adults about Threads?
JH: The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. We’re humbled and grateful for what we are hearing from people all around the world who are coming in contact with Threads through our print resources and through the ThreadsMedia.com Website. We really sense that God is doing something great here and something much bigger than any of us. But, it is neat and exciting to see how He works in bringing this generation back to Himself.
F&T: What are some exciting things that you’re working on now that we can look forward to?
JH: Really pushing the Threads message is a big challenge. We believe that God is in this and we are excited about continuing to get the word out. I’m really excited about some new relationships that we are developing with future authors, ministry partners and event personalities.
We have some incredible Bible studies coming out this year – Tough Sayings of Jesus 2, Feast, Life Matters and others.
We’ll be hosting six regional Connect Conferences in ’08 to help train ministry leaders connect with young adults. They are going to be really well done.
F&T: You grew up in Knoxville, Tenn., and went to college at the University of Tennessee. What did you do there that helped prepare you for this new role a young adult ministry specialist?
JH: I majored in communications, focusing on debate and public speaking – valuable skills for ministry. Even then, I had a passion for innovative ministry. In addition to my studies, I dreamed, organized and taught at SHAKEN, a series of citywide worship services targeting collegiate students. I was fortunate to gain other valuable ministry experience in positions at Second Baptist Church, Griffin, Ga., and Youth Ministry Resources, Inc. before graduating from UT and going to seminary,
F&T: Young adult ministry is your passion and vocation, but what about your life?
JH: I am happily married to my beautiful wife, Carrie. We met at UT and got married in 2001. Carrie taught architecture and interior design at the University of Tennessee until we moved to Nashville. Now she commits her time to being a mom and partnering with me in ministry. We have a son, Hayden, who is almost 2 and an amazing little guy. We like traveling together and hanging out with friends and family. As far as my hobbies, I like reading, exercising, most sports, and spending as much time at the beach as possible.
F&T: Do you mind getting e-mails and phone calls from churches that want to know more about Threads?
JH: Are you kidding? Anytime! E-mail me at Jason.Hayes@lifeway.com or call me at (615) 251-2275.
For up-to-date news and information regarding LifeWay Christian Resources, visit www.lifeway.com/news.
