The Heart of a Youth Pastor

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.”
– Matthew 22:37

As youth pastors, we carry the profound privilege and responsibility of pointing teenagers to the love of Jesus. We craft messages, organize events, counsel students, and plan trips, but beneath the surface of it all lies the foundation of our ministry: the state of our hearts before God. In Matthew 22:37, Jesus reminds us of the greatest commandment—to love the Lord with all we are. For youth pastors, this truth isn’t just something we teach; it’s something we live.

Passion Over Programs

We live in a culture that values productivity. In ministry, it’s tempting to equate our effectiveness with packed calendars, dynamic worship sets, or viral social media posts. Don’t get me wrong, we DO need to work with our hands and not neglect our students. But as Jesus told Martha in Luke 10:41-42, only one thing is truly necessary—time at His feet.

Martha was busy serving, but her sister Mary chose to sit and listen to Jesus. Martha’s frustration boiled over, but Jesus lovingly reminded her that Mary had chosen the better path. The lesson for us is clear: before we serve students, we must prioritize sitting in God’s presence. Our passion for our own relationship with Him must come before our passion for ministry. Programs can reach students, but our hearts—overflowing with the love of Christ—transform them.

When Busyness Becomes a Mask

For many youth pastors, it’s easy to mask a lack of spiritual devotion with spiritual busyness. We justify our personal time with God by pointing to the work of our hands—our performance. But that’s just not healthy.

The work of our hands was never meant to sustain us—only the work of His Spirit can do that. Without intentional time in God’s presence, ministry becomes hollow, driven by human effort instead of divine power. It’s dangerous to let busyness take the place of intimacy with God. We need to remember that God doesn’t call us to perform for Him but to abide in Him.

Even Jesus, in the midst of His busy ministry, would often withdraw to lonely places to pray (Luke 5:16). If the Son of God needed time alone with the Father, how much more do we? This rhythm of rest and connection with God must be our priority. Students don’t need a youth pastor who is burning out from performance; they need one whose heart is ablaze with love for Jesus.

Check out “The Busy Youth Pastor” blog for more

Love the Lord First

Deuteronomy 6:5 mirrors Matthew 22:37, calling us to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and strength. This command is foundational because everything flows from it. We cannot give students what we don’t first possess ourselves.

Are we modeling a passionate pursuit of God in our own lives? Do we hunger for His Word, pour out our hearts in prayer, and worship with abandon? Students are watching. They’re longing for authenticity in a world that often feels fake. They don’t need a perfect youth pastor; they need one who is madly in love with Jesus.

Proverbs 4:23 urges us to guard our hearts, for everything we do flows from them. A heart captivated by Christ produces a ministry marked by His presence.

Leading from the Overflow

John 15:5 reminds us that apart from Jesus, we can do nothing. It’s a humbling truth. The strength to disciple students, endure ministry challenges, and plant seeds of faith doesn’t come from us—it comes from abiding in Him.

Think of a cup being filled with water. As youth pastors, we must let God continually fill us so that we can overflow into the lives of our students. But if we’re empty, we’ll find ourselves scraping the bottom of the cup, trying to pour out what we don’t have.

That’s why prioritizing time with God isn’t selfish; it’s essential. Daily moments in Scripture, prayer, and worship refuel our hearts for the work He’s called us to. When we lead from the overflow of our relationship with Jesus, we’ll find ourselves less reliant on our own strength and more empowered by His Spirit.

A Call to Authenticity

The heart of a youth pastor isn’t about having the coolest sermons or the biggest events; it’s about authenticity. Students don’t need more entertainers or event coordinators—they need shepherds who reflect the heart of Christ. Shepherds who love sacrificially, listen intently, and lead humbly.

Ephesians 5:1-2 challenges us to “be imitators of God…and walk in love, as Christ loved us.” When we love God with all our hearts, we naturally walk in love toward our students. They’ll see a faith that’s not just talked about but lived out, and it will inspire them to seek the same.

Encouragement for the Journey

Youth pastor, you are loved by God—not for what you do but for who you are. He sees your long nights, your tears, and your triumphs. He’s not asking you to be perfect; He’s asking you to love Him wholeheartedly.

Let Matthew 22:37 be your anchor. Love God first, and watch as He shapes your heart for ministry. When your relationship with Him is your priority, your passion for students will flow naturally. And in those moments when you feel weary, remember His promise: “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

The heart of a youth pastor isn’t defined by what we do but by who we love. Love Him first, and He will take care of the rest.

How’s your heart? Feeling discouraged spiritually? I’d love to pray with you and encourage you in your journey with the Lord. Schedule a 1 on 1 coaching session and let’s believe together.