Shaun Bati, Africa Regional Youth Coordinator
What motivates you to work with youth?
My motivation comes firstly through the call to work with youth. Secondly, youth are part of the great commission, and youth are part of what God expects us in following His commandments that we Love God and Love people. Finally, everyone was once a youth and it is that stage that we all have to make decisions that really have a huge impact in our future so am excited and willing to be the vessel that God uses in helping young people live within their calling and be part of guiding any youth in making those crucial decisions that come with being young.
How many years have you been in youth ministry?
I have been in youth ministry for about 20 years now.
What is the best book you have read relating to youth ministry?
Purpose Driven Youth Ministry by Doug Fields and Rick Warren
What’s the best advice you can give a youth leader?
Love the youth, be honest with them, guide and mentor them, give them biblical life values and work with all those in their close networks in mentoring them.
What’s the best advice you can give to parents of youth?
Youth belong to God, help them find the purpose of their existence, pray for them, help them to be who they are supposed to be according to God’s plans and not what a parent would want them to be. Give them space to be themselves, as it will help in how to guide them, be there for them through everything and lastly teach them how to relate because as a parent you are their first teacher in relationships.
What would you like the church to know about today’s youth?
Receive them, don’t judge them, love them with the Love of God, understand their world, mentor them, pray for them, direct them to God, not religion, give them biblical kingdom values and use the energy and zeal that youth have.