LeadershipConnexion SPRING2023

YOUTH DIRECTOR | Joe Cali | 717.649.6788 | joe@penndel.org
SAY NO TO ZERO
“What if you brought home a Zero?”
As a kid, whenever I brought home a test or a quiz, my parents would ask, “How did you do?” I would reply with my “okay”
score, and each time, my mom would ask, “Why didn’t you get a 100%?” My mom was never malicious. She knew I could
do better and sincerely wanted me to keep pushing to get that A+. I never wanted to bring home a Zero. I knew my parents
would be disappointed if I did and I wanted to make them proud of me. The more I put in the effort, the more I also wanted
to do better for myself.
In ministry, there is one category in which I never want to have a Zero. As a Youth Pastor, there was a moment in one of our
youth services when I was challenged by the Holy Spirit to look around the room. As I did, I noticed that we had Zero new or
unsaved students in attendance. As the weeks continued, that number didn’t change.
I was compelled by the Lord’s question, “Do you like having Zero new or unsaved students in your group? Do you want
them here? Then go out there and let Me draw them in.” It was at this point that I couldn’t stand having Zero new or unsaved
students at our youth or church services. I refused to be okay with just ministering to those who were already Christians.
Please don’t misunderstand me, I loved the Christian students. I was always super glad that they were walking with Jesus
and plugged into our discipleship tracks. But there were more students out there who had to be given the opportunity to
experience a life with Jesus too!
I began to seek the Lord and ask Him for the steps to take. I put myself in places and establishments where I could interact
with the unsaved students in my community. The Lord led me to the local public school. I began to support our Christian
Bible clubs and volunteer wherever the administration needed help.
I also volunteered at my local community center. This became a place where I was able to interact with students who were
not going to church or didn’t have a relationship with Jesus. I was able to bring Christian students from church with me and
minister there together. It took some time, but those unsaved students eventually made their way to our church property. Not
every one of them came of know Jesus, but some did!
This step of faith helped propel a few things for me and my group: it helped us to keep our walks holy, it gave us a consistent
missional mindset, and it helped us to develop deeper relationships. My youth group students began to catch the vision that
we desired to have new people at our services each week. We wanted them to bring their friends and peers to not only be a
part of our group, but to know Jesus as their personal Savior.
My challenge to you is simple: Say NO to Zero new or unsaved students in your group/church. Take a step of faith outside of
your church walls, get creative, put in the work, and bring others along with you to impact this generation with the Gospel.
Penndelyouth is believing with you for an increase of new and unsaved students coming to
Jesus in your churches this year!
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