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T.J. Lewis has spent 25 years in student ministry, the last eight as youth pastor at Lake Church in Arlington. “I love Jesus, the state of Texas, baseball, smoking meat, Christmas, reviewing movies, and the nachos at the various student events I attend,” Lewis says. He added that it’s possible he created the bacon-wrapped Oreo 15 years ago, a Father’s Day tradition at the church. T.J. and his wife, Bekah, have three teenage children.
What victory has the student ministry at Lake Church been able to celebrate lately?
The coolest victory we’ve gotten to celebrate in the last year has been our students’ increased involvement in missions. It’s the most important thing I can lead a teenager to do besides sharing their faith here at home. Last year, 70 youth went on a mission trip. This year, we’re set to take 85 through five different trips. I’m thrilled they’re catching the Great Commission and ready to go! I’m also overjoyed about how many kids are not only bringing their hardcover Bibles to church, but actively taking notes each week.
What’s one thing you are praying will happen over the next year among the youth?
My prayer for my students remains the same every day and year: I desperately want them to love, know, and follow Jesus. If they do, all the other things fall into place.
What’s something surprising you have learned about this generation of students?
The number of teens who don’t want their drivers licenses at age 16 continues to grow. That’s been an interesting trend in the last decade. Several have been honest and told me, “Why would I drive when I can sit in the back seat on my phone?” Others have said they’re genuinely nervous to drive—understandable when you live in [the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex]. Nonetheless, it’s been fascinating watching this pattern continue.
What’s one lesson you’ve learned to this point of your life and ministry you know you’ll never forget?
The task of a shepherd is the same, regardless of how old your flock is. I’m called to teach my group to obey all of Jesus’ commandments and help them see the beauty of how doing that together with a church family is so much better and easier. The Spirit of God is just as powerful and excited to do the work in and through students as He is doing in and through adults. … I’ve got the best gig in the kingdom.
How can SBTC churches be praying for your ministry?
Short-term prayer is easy: We start our big biennial six-week biblical sex series in late April. I’ve been doing this for a long time, but it takes no less wisdom and grace to do that set of messages well. A long-term prayer would be for unity. We have students from 31 different schools in our group. It’s awesome and awful. My team and I are working continually to keep track of all of them and be involved in their world, but we’re also trying to help them really know and love one another. That’s tricky when they usually only meet eye to eye on Sunday and Wednesday.
