171: Ben Trueblood 2: What Is Ministry After Youth Ministry?

In episode 171 Zac and Ben Trueblood of Lifeway Students talk about ministry after student ministry.

With 2 new books of research and pastoral concern Ben presents some of the findings and hopes for youth pastors hoping to do right and better.

Need Prayer? Help? Support?

Email the YMB team here.


Check out Ben's Books
Within Reach

A Different College Experience


Key Moments:
Original Dropout Study 2008
70% of active students drop out 
New Findings: Within Reach 2019
66% of active students drop out  
Defining Active Student Ministry: 2x or more a month  

• "Nothing that we have helped them understand that has created a pull for them to be connected in a local expression of believers to other followers of Christ. To me that is more scary that something trying to convince them that their faith isn’t real…"
• We need to create multiple opportunities to be connected to the church at large and the adults of the church and adult ministries of the church  
• “I didn’t feel connected to other people in my church”  
• "I had a need, a desire for connection that was unfulfilled”   
• Connection with people is the primary driver for people staying connected to the church through college.  
• The more we connect students to the rest of the church the more they begin to understand that the church needs me.  
• But in turn… Here’s why I need them.The church needs me, and I need them.  
• Student ministry needs to find ways to connect beyond student ministry itself.  
• Student ministries are doing a great  
• For the next in the now.