There is a perception in our churches that being a youth worker is an easy job because all you do is play with students. This is so untrue. If youth ministry is easy for you, then you are probably not doing it right. Being a youth worker is challenging because you are fighting the world for the souls of students. Youth workers stand up against media, culture, peer pressure and often apathic parents to encourage students to follow Christ. This requires creativity and innovation because the world is spending millions of dollars each day to reach students and the average church budget is just a few thousand dollars. Youth workers also need to have a deep commitment to persevering because students are like a fishing bobber; one day they are up and the next they are down. This job is tough. Before we wallow in self pitty let’s remember these obstacles and challenges allow us to experience the power of God in amazing ways. Each day we get to be on the front lines as God does battle for the kids in his world. We also get the benefits of using these obstacles to grow our own faith. If we don’t lose heart of take short-cuts God will use all of these struggles to develop perseverance and maturity in our own lives.