Interview: Ministry and Ministering to the Youth

The following interview questions were sent to Pastor Joel Overduin of the Vineland FRC. He graciously took time to give thoughtful and helpful answers about ministry and about ministering in particular to the youth. Enjoy!

Q1. Could you share with us a little bit about yourself and your ministry? When did you enter the ministry, and for how long have you been a pastor?

A: Thank you for that question. In the words of Paul, I would say what every Christian learns to say, “By the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Cor. 15:10). I was born into a covenant home, with faithful Christian parents who taught me the faith, lived it, and prayed that I might embrace it. Like Timothy long ago, all my life I’ve been privileged to know the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make me wise for salvation (2 Tim. 3:15). So far as I can remember, there was not a day in my life when I did not care about the things of the Lord. Having said that, it was in my high school years that I remember the Lord working to draw me to Himself and especially teaching me to confide in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and in His perfect work as the sole foundation for my salvation.

For as far back as I can remember, I had thoughts about entering the ministry, although that was not without many struggles as well. When I was eight or nine years old, my own father was ordained as a pastor, so in that sense I grew up in a pastor’s home. After high school, I attended Trinity Western University in Langley, BC, obtaining a General Studies BA, including Greek and Hebrew courses, and some history and communication courses. It was during those years that my wrestling increased, but at the same time, I didn’t have clarity. It was also during those years that I met my wife, Marianne, and we were married shortly after my graduation. When we were visiting friends in Grand Rapids, for a day I attended classes at PRTS with Rev. Lawrence Bilkes, a good friend from before, and who was then a student for the ministry. During the lunch hour, a pastor from South Africa spoke about the work of Mukhanyo Theological College in South Africa, and in passing he mentioned the need for pastors in Africa. That presentation deeply convicted me, not so much about serving in Africa, but recognizing the need in our own federation of churches, and coming to realize that I was putting off God’s call. Also during that trip, we worshiped in Grand Rapids FRC, hearing Pastor Vandermeyden preach on Isaiah 6, including the words, “Whom shall I send?” And hearing Isaiah say, “Here I am, send me.” That time in Grand Rapids helped to clarify and confirm my sense of call. Very soon afterwards, I applied to my consistory of Chilliwack, and then to the Theological Education Committee. By September of 2001, we found ourselves in Grand Rapids where I too became a student at PRTS. In May 2005, I graduated, in June was declared a candidate, and by September of that year, was ordained and installed in Bethel FRC in Mitchell, Ontario, where we were privileged to live and I was blessed especially to learn how to be a pastor. During that time our family grew from one child who had been born during our last year of seminary, to five children, the last four being born while we lived in Mitchell. In 2013 I received a call to Vineland, and believing the Lord to be issuing that call, we moved to Vineland in May of that year, and have been there ever since.

Q2. What were your expectations of what ministry would be like as a teenager and young adult? Were these correct expectations, or have they changed with your years in ministry?

A: I’m not sure I had clear expectations of what ministry would be like as a teenager and as a young man. I knew something about the routine of it, watching my own father, and maybe a little of the challenges (and some of the joys) of it, living in a pastor’s family. But I don’t remember having particular expectations. Since having served as a pastor for more than twenty years, I have learned to appreciate many of the blessings of the ministry. It is an amazing privilege to be able to work in the Word of God every day. I am sure, and so thankful to say so, the Lord has used that in my life, to keep me close to Him and to grow in my own walk with Him. And when I get to stand by and see Him at work, maybe in someone’s conversion or with a particular victory over sin, or as death is approaching and there is no fear, that’s a great privilege.

One thing I can say I have learned is that it is truly spiritual work, meaning that it is the Lord’s work. Ministers are merely instruments. I have learned that I myself can do nothing. It’s not my arguments that can persuade a person, it’s not how carefully crafted my sermon might be, or how skillfully delivered, perhaps, or anything like that that can change someone, or save someone. What Paul said about himself and his colleagues in relation to the Lord and His work is as true today as it ever was. We ministers (and all people and servants of God) merely plant and/or water, but it is always God and God alone who gives the increase (1 Cor. 3:7). I have learned or rather am learning therefore, always to abide in Him. Only then can anyone ever bear any fruit (Jn. 15:1ff).

Q3. As you pastor a church with many young people, what would you say are the biggest threats the devil is bringing against the youth of our churches?

A: I’m not sure I know how to answer this question. The devil is no doubt doing far more than I can tell. Having said that, Paul says Christians aren’t (or ought not to be) ignorant of Satan’s devices (2 Cor. 2:11). Some of the things the devil is doing, no doubt, include distracting young people (and older people). Nowadays with our phones we can be constantly preoccupied with lesser things, never mind evil things. A related matter is presumption and complacency. These can be mighty threats and dangers to the youth of the church. “We’ll get serious tomorrow” and “My soul’s not that important, is it?” are easy things to think and to act on. But how deadly they can be. No one’s guaranteed tomorrow, and meanwhile the years of youth can be some of the best years of our life to serve the Lord. Worldliness and worldly-mindedness are likewise pressing temptations. Could it be that the devil is persuading many in our day that it’s okay to be and to live double-mindedly?

Q4. How do you pastorally assist against these threats as you walk alongside your younger members?

A: In seeking to preach the whole counsel of God faithfully and particularly, I hope I’m addressing these temptations and more in a way that young people (and all people) feel challenged and convicted, and above all that they are led by the power of the Holy Spirit to confide in the one and only Saviour, and to overcome through Him.

Q5. On the other hand, what is an encouraging aspect you’ve seen the Lord working within the youth of our churches?

A: I am encouraged by many young people who tell me that they want to be serious in seeking and serving the Lord. I am thankful and count it a privilege when they trust me enough to ask me for help to do that, including to fight against particular sins and temptations.

Q6. How can this blessing of the Lord be fostered and grown?

A: One of my main activities each week is to engage in private prayer for the congregation, including for the young people. I think that’s where we need to start. In addition to that, it’s helpful when a congregation is growing in the communion of the saints, so that members old and young share together about their struggles and encourage each other to press on.

Q7. In your preaching, do you especially try to engage and interact with the younger members of the congregation? If so, how do you do this?

A: I’m not sure if I do this intentionally. Like every faithful pastor, I try to prepare sermons with the whole congregation in mind, including illustrations and applications that will apply to all. Depending on the text, especially, I may highlight one or more points for the youth. But at the end of the day, I think the Word of God in all its fullness, and especially as it holds up Christ – that is what the whole congregation needs, including the youth. And that is what I trust the Lord to bless, also to the youth.

Q8. How has weekly catechism and confession of faith class instruction been helpful to the youth of your church?

A: This question might be better answered by the youth. One of the highlights of the week for me is the catechism and confession of faith classes. I do enjoy teaching young people. Years ago, I remember Rev. van Essen describing this work as an aspect of laying the foundation in the minds and hearts of the young. I hope that with God’s blessing, that’s happening. In the future, my students may not remember much from their catechism and confession of faith years, but I pray and trust that the Lord is at work through the instruction, both to bring to faith (I pray for that often), and to build up and strengthen their faith.

Q9. What would you say to the young person who dislikes their catechism classes and is disengaged throughout the evening?

A: I would say, I’m sorry to hear that you don’t enjoy your time in catechism class. Try to see it as a God-given opportunity that’s only for a short time and that’s meant to leave a lasting impact. Pray for a change of mind and heart. Seek to make the most of every class, every memory work assignment, every discussion, every lesson. Depending on the situation, I might also ask of the student’s help to make classes more engaging. But above all, I'd pray for the student and the Lord's work.

Q10. Finally, if you could leave the youth of our churches with one fundamental message, what would it be?

A: “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon” (Is. 55:6,7).

“Remember your Creator in the days of your youth…” (Eccl. 12:1).

“Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved” (Acts 16:31).

“Present your [body] a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service…Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Rom. 12:1,2).

“Abide in [Christ] and [Christ] in you…He who abides in [Christ] and [Christ] in him, bears much fruit…” (Jn. 15:4,5).