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The goal of "Welcome to Student Ministry" is to post interviews that help guide both new and experienced student pastors toward faithful ministry over many years. This 14th interview in this series is with Tim Franks. Tim serves as the associate pastor at Eureka Baptist Church in Eureka Illinois.

1. Tell our readers some background information about how long you have been in student ministry, how you started, and anything else that you think would be useful.
   • To be honest I didn't want to go into ministry, growing up in as a pastor's kid, though my dad always saw me doing so. I desired to be a baseball radio announcer. After some difficult circumstances and closed doors in that field of work, the Lord led me towards ministry. I studied at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and interned with student ministry at Ninth and O, there is where my desire and gifts began to flourish in working with teenagers. I have been working in full time student ministry for 16 years now, going on 9 in my current serving in Eureka, IL. I am on the Steering Committee with Rooted and have articles and videos published on Rooted and Youth Pastor Theologian.
2. How has your view of youth ministry changed from when you started to now?
   • It sure has been a challenge over the years to adapt some to the culture changes within student ministry while trying to stay true to the Holy Spirit's guidance and my vision for working with young people. Early on I focused on big events and programs that never seem to see much fruit. I have become way more simple, organic, and relational in the way I approach discipling students than I did in the past. Ministries like Rooted, Youth Pastor Theologian, and CPYU have really strengthened by ability to disciple more effectively along these paths.
3. Share one of your favorite student ministry moments. 
   • One of the hardest, but yet best moments of student ministry was in 2022 when one of our youth leaders young children died in a pool accident. I was broken that Wed. Night, but I knew we needed to gather. We had 50 people including students, parents, and leaders gathered in our backyard crying, hugging, and praying together. I saw the Gospel move more that ever in the hearts of our students during that time period. Our youth leader and her family's response to the accident was deeply moving and helpful as our students processed as well. The night that she gave testimony months after really brought our group together and led to great Gospel growth in our teens.
4. Share one of your least favorite ministry moments?
   • The least favorite moment was when I was a youth intern in seminary. We were playing capture the flag in a large two story church building. It was guys vs. girls, the girls were not trying to win, only to guard their flag so they controlled the stairwells up to their floor. Some older guys and a leader decided it would be a great idea to go up through the baptism that was full for baptisms the next Sunday. The girls chased them back out that way and the leader kicked the plastic piece in front, breaking it and causing water to flow into the band pit on the stage of the church. It is a funny story now, but so stressful and hard to deal with in the moment for sure.
5. What resources do you find helpful to use in student ministry? 
   • God's Word with my ESV Study Bible is where it all begins! There is so much good content and resources out there now compared to when I was just starting a decade and a half ago. I have already mentioned that Rooted, YPT, and CPYU offer invaluable resources for parents, youth pastors, leaders, and even students too! We have used Rooted and YPT's new curriculum for our Sunday school class. For one on one discipleship books I have used Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung, Truth Matters for apologetically defending our faith by Andreas Kostenberger, the Rooted book by Cameron Cole The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School. For youth leaders Lead Them To Jesus by Mike McGarry. For my personal enrichment I read Paul David Tripp's New Morning Mercies and Valley of Vision, alongside lots of books from Charles Dickens to John Piper.
6. What is one or two things that you do to make sure that you do so that you don’t burn out as a youth pastor?
   • One of the main ways that I avoid burnout as a youth pastor is building in breaks throughout each week and throughout each year. I work hard to make sure to have good quality time in my wife and kids. I have been better over the years of actually taking a full day off each week, where I don't engage in ministry things and rest in the Lord and some of my favorite activities like reading and being outside. The other thing that is important for me is to be fed and be involved in things at church that I am not leading. This includes not always teaching Sunday school, being a part of a community group, and allowing our leaders to lead without me occasionally on a Wed. Night. I have really good accountability with a few good friends in my life that ask the hard and best questions that get to my heart.
7. What advice would you give to yourself when you started as a youth pastor if you could go back to that time?
   • If I went back to meet with my old-self I would offer a few suggestions:
     • A. Make sure to keep the Gospel front and center at all times, it is worth it and going to lead to the best and lasting ministry.
     • B. Don't give up on being relational, regularly inviting students and their families into your life in many different ways.
     • C. Equip parents more through giving them resources and building relationships with them, walking with them, and allowing them to see you as an ally and friend.
     • D. Don't go for the pressure of big events and programs, keep it simple and organic, allowing the Holy Spirit to do great work in the hearts of your student and families.

Thank you, Tim, for taking time to answer these questions.  In coming weeks I will post our 15th edition of "Welcome to Student Ministry."