by Walt Brock

College-age young people have many options open to them—fun, lucrative, what their friends are doing, education focused, expectations placed on them by others. Some may not know of the opportunity for summer staff or don’t seriously consider it. Addressing issues and giving personal examples in the few short minutes you have their attention is important—e.g., it is enjoyable to do ministry that counts for eternity, God supplies the needs of those who sacrifice for Him, you will make lifetime friends, the life lessons learned while seeing God answer prayer and change lives are not learned in a textbook or classroom.

David asked when people were trying to talk him out of the fight with the giant, “Is there not a cause?” Offer the young people something they can’t buy with money—eternal value. One is worth more than all! Offer them the opportunity to “taste” for themselves the wonders of God at work (Psalm 34:8). Try it; you’ll love it! Commit to His cause.

Opening Questions

• Why is it so hard to put together a summer staff?
• How can we in a few short minutes, on a recruiting trip interest/encourage/recruit someone qualified to be on our SS team? What appeals to the kind of SS we need?
• What do we need to communicate to prospective SS?

Closing Thoughts

• Pray before you go, while you are there, and after you return (Matthew 9:38).
• Recruiting is more than just showing up with some videos and sharing some fun things to do this summer. We must do the work of preparation.