(Part 1)

JBTM Book Reviews
158
This book is a collaborative effort comprised of fourteen contributors, including
Cameron Cole and Joe Nielson, who edited the volume. Cameron Cole is the director of
youth ministries at Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, Alabama, and is also
the chairman of Rooted Ministries, which hosts both a resource blog and conference (203).
Joe Nielson is ministry director for Christian Union at Princeton University. Previously, he
served as college pastor at College Church in Wheaton, Illinois. Nielson earned an MDiv
from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, where he is currently completing his DMin. He has
authored two books, Bible Study: A Student’s Guide as well as The Story: God’s Grand Narrative
of Redemption (204–5).
The book’s purpose is clear and precise. Cole explains, “This book champions the gospel
as the core of effective youth ministry. It argues that the message and reality of Christ’s
victory over sin and death should permeate every single facet of ministry to young people.”
Furthermore, the book seeks to show “how the gospel relates to the major categories of
youth ministry” (18). This unapologetic purpose drives the organization of the text.
Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry is separated into three major sections: Foundations,
Practical Applications, and The Fruit of a Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry. Rightfully so,
the first section and each of its chapters discusses the seven facets of a gospel-centered
foundation: gospel centrality, discipleship, expository teaching, relationships, community,
partnering with parents, and generational integration. Section 2 discusses four practical
elements of youth ministry, each garnering its own chapter. These include Bible study,
volunteer training, music, and retreats/events. The third section’s three chapters center
on areas in which students can “bear fruit”: evangelism, serving the poor, and short-term
missions trips. Finally, chapters are set up in a seeming reflection of the book. Each chapter
begins with a theological proposal of the chapter’s subject matter and ends with practical
considerations for youth ministry.
As with any book that is a collaboration of writers, there is variance with the quality of
writing throughout the book. While the overall quality of the volume is high, some chapters
stand out. This is especially true of the first and foundational chapter by Cameron Cole: “The
Gospel at the Heart of All Things.” In this compelling chapter, Cole posits that the struggles
of and answers for teenagers are shared by all humanity today and addressed in the opening
chapters of Genesis. He argues simply and concisely that the most important thing a youth
minister can possess is an accurate appraisal of these fundamental problems: wrong sources
of truth, wrong views of self, and wrong views of God (25–26). He maintains that students
have the same spiritual problems and the same glorious solution as our original parents.
Grounding these in the fall narrative as well as within redemptive history, Cole wonderfully
demonstrates that a ministry centered and based on the gospel is the sole solution to these
original dilemmas.
The value of this book is two-fold. First, it succeeds in building a foundation for youth