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A busy summer is providing opportunities for the SBTC to pour not only into students, but those who lead them
Grant Byrd sensed a call to ministry as a teen, but there was a problem: After God called him, he wasn’t quite sure what to do next. The Southern Baptists of Texas Convention’s student ministry associate says that’s what motivates him—to make sure students understand what it means to be called. Byrd recently spoke with the Texan about a busy summer, the importance of networking with other student leaders, and investing in the future of the church.
By the time people read this, you’ll be well into the middle of a busy summer leading M3 student camps that will minister to thousands of students. But your position as the student associate at the SBTC probably includes a lot more than that. Can you talk about your role?
Grant Byrd: Well, the part I enjoy most is shepherding our student ministers. They often get siloed, and it can be hard for them to meet other student ministers. So for me to get to come in and encourage them or maybe give them some insight from my experience and some of the mistakes I’ve made is important to me. I really feel like I’m in a great position to serve people and connect them to networks, because some of these guys just don’t get that a lot. Sometimes I feel like a salesman, but I’m not selling anything and I’m not saying I have better ideas. I just love being able to talk to guys because I know most of them are hungry for that kind of connection.
As far as M3 camps, right now we’re approaching 5,000 students and adults [registered to attend]. When you go back and talk to adults who are following God and ask them what impacted their lives the most, they’ll most often mention camps and retreats. Camps can provide one of those spiritual marker moments. When kids come to camp, we’re going to preach God’s Word. We’re going to be very clear that Jesus is the only way. We’re going to teach them what discipleship means and give them tools for that. We’re going to encourage and bless student ministers. And when they leave here, they’re going to remember this camp—not because of anything we’re doing, but because Jesus spoke to them. We’re just kind of setting the table. When they go back home, we believe they are going to make a difference for God.
You’re passionate about helping students understand what it means to be called to ministry. Where does that passion come from and how can you impact that particular area in your role at the SBTC?
GB: Man, that is my heart—the ones who are called to ministry. When I was called as a teen, I had a lot of people praying for me, a lot of people shaking my hand, but no real guidance. Nobody really knew how to help me or give me any wisdom about it. So what we’ve got to do is offer more training to our students about it. We have no problem asking them if God wants them to be a teacher or a doctor or a lawyer, but what about a minister? That needs to be a part of their thought process rather than something we never mention when we’re having those kinds of conversations.
For a long time, I taught a “Called to Ministry” group track when our students went to camp. But however we address it … I just think if we don’t start talking about calling with our kids, we’re going to soon be in a bind. We’ve got to talk about it more. It’s got to be an option for our kids. I’m not talking about talking them into thinking they’re called—that would not only be completely wrong, but it could mess up their whole life. But if God calls you, you’re not going to be happy doing anything else, and that is amazing.
We’re going to be offering a “Following Your Calling” retreat Aug. 1-2 at Southwestern Seminary. It’s going to be a great opportunity for high school and college students who feel like they may be called to understand a little bit more about it. It will include great speakers and breakouts about different ministry areas that kids can attend—16 or 17 ministry areas—and we’ll have interactive table talks. I believe it will be great.
"Camps can provide one of those spiritual marker moments. When kids come to camp, we’re going to preach God’s Word. We’re going to be very clear that Jesus is the only way."
You’ve got a team of leaders from across the state helping churches advance the mission through student ministries. Who does that team consist of and how does it help you?
GB: That team consists of Brandon Pittman (Great Hills Baptist Church, Austin), Cameron Crow (First Baptist Church, Farmersville), Corbin Hill (Paramount Baptist Church, Amarillo), Derek Husband (Emmanual Baptist Church, New Caney), Drew Bowsher (Spring Baptist Church), Hayden Gilliam (First Baptist Church, Glen Rose), Jason and Shanna Daniels (First Baptist Church, Friona), T.J. Lewis (Lake Church, Arlington), Tim Rose (First Baptist Church, Odessa), Trent Murray (First Baptist Church, Iowa Park), Thomas Causey (East Paris Baptist Church), and Zach Whitlow (Nolan River Road Baptist Church, Cleburne).
This team brings so much to the table. They’re made up of people of various ages, from various size churches, and they’re from all over the state. We have some who are just starting out and some who are [ministry] veterans. We talk a lot on the phone and text all the time, and we get together on a monthly Zoom call. We talk about things that are coming up and share all kinds of insights—“Hey, what about this? What if I tried that? What about these ideas?” When we need a great breakout speaker or a worship band, they give me names and suggestions and I can ask them for [breakout] topics based on what their kids are needing or what they may be going through. But they don’t just help me—they help each other. And beyond that, it gives us access not only to them, but to the student ministers across the state they’re networking with. Boy, they’re such a big help to us.
What kinds of networking opportunities do you offer for those who are not on your lead team?
GB: Well, those on the lead team will rotate on and off, so we’ll have chances to connect with different people over time. And I’m always available on an individual basis to help with training, encouragement, a little consulting, and things like that. But we also do something called ReZoom, which gives any student minister anywhere in the state a place to connect. Every Thursday morning at 9:30—except for the summer, when youth ministers are busy with camps and trips and things like that—we jump on a Zoom call and talk about ministry. My first question is always, “OK, what went well last night?” because Wednesday nights are big nights for our youth. Then we talk about things that maybe didn’t go so well, and then I’ll ask how people in the group can help. That could be help through prayer or just help figuring out what to do about something. [Student ministers and leaders] are just giving, giving, giving all the time, and sometimes they just want someone to listen to them, but sometimes they don’t want to talk at all—they just want to listen. We absolutely welcome that. I believe that as long as you’re willing to laugh at yourself and you’re willing to learn, you’re gonna love it.
