Don't Despise Our Youth - by David a Washington (Paperback)

About the Book

"Don't Despise Our Youth addresses a youth ministry crisis in the urban and African American context. Youth are being despised in the sense that their value and potential to the overall ministry of the church is low. The book inspires hope for and commitment to the youth, through scripture, personal life stories, and testimonies about the impact of youth in the church"-- Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

Revitalizing Urban Youth Ministry with Faithful Evangelism and Robust Discipleship

Today's youth face immense challenges, and their role within church communities is often undervalued. Don't Despise Our Youth by David A. Washington offers a powerful call to action to transform youth ministry into a platform where young people are empowered to lead, thrive, and serve alongside their church.

Washington writes from his own powerful experience, having come to faith through the work of youth ministry in inner-city Chicago. He credits this ministry with rescuing him from a life of gang involvement, crime, prison, and imminent death, providing the guidance he once lacked.

Having experienced firsthand the impact of youth ministry, Washington uses scripture, personal stories, and powerful testimonies to shine a light on the transformational influence youth can have within the church. This book challenges traditional views of youth ministry and inspires you to see the full potential and worth of youth, urging church leaders and congregations to build ministries that reflect discipleship, community, and the foundation of God's Word.

Whether you're a youth leader, pastor, parent, or educator, this book will inspire and equip you to foster meaningful discipleship in urban and African-American contexts and empower the next generation to rise into their God-given potential.

This book features:

• Scripture-Driven Insights - Explore biblical principles that inspire renewed hope for youth ministry.
• Authentic Life Stories - Gain perspectives through real-life anecdotes and testimonies.
• A Contextual Focus - Access a resource designed specifically for urban and African American church contexts, addressing unique challenges and opportunities.
• Practical Inspiration - Equip yourself with tools to cultivate a thriving youth ministry that empowers and uplifts.

Don't Despise Our Youth is your invitation to see today's youth not as a challenge, but as a valuable blessing to the church's present and future. Get your copy today and transform your approach to youth ministry in your context.

Review Quotes

"David A. Washington is a man of God who lives in the book. I have had the pleasure of walking closely with Pastor David for many years. He is one of the few people who, when I call, you know the odds are he is studying God's Word. Drawing deeply from his own conversion and growth as a teenage believer, David systematically teaches us how to overcome our age bias to make faithful and fruitful disciples of the next generation. Our youth are believers, not babies!"

--John Teter, founding pastor of Holy Faith Fellowship and author of the 1-1-1 Finishing Well newsletter and The Power of the 72

"Don't Despise Our Youth by David A. Washington is a must-read for those seeking to save the next generation of Christ followers and faith leaders. It is one of the most thoughtful and practical books on youth ministry. David Washington has brought years of study and experience to this transformational work of youth ministry. David Washington is the direct product of the power of youth ministry. It saved him and changed the trajectory of his life forever. As you dive into this biblically based work, prepare your heart and mind to be confronted and challenged to save our youth and our future."

--D. Darrell Griffin, senior pastor of Oakdale Covenant Church of Chicago and author of Building a Better You

"It's never been harder to be a student, and it's even harder in our urban centers where they are confronted with poverty, violence, and drug use. The church is in a unique position to combat these challenges and show our young people a better way. In Don't Despise Our Youth, David A. Washington calls attention to this important mission and offers a strategy for how to get it done. This book, drawing on the courage of someone who experienced these challenges firsthand, provides a framework that will allow leaders to reach today's youth, proclaiming God's love in a fractured, hurting world."

--Dave Ferguson, founding pastor of Community Christian Church and CEO of Exponential

"Don't Despise Our Youth brings a refreshing balance of scholarly research, real-life experiences, and a panoramic look at urban youth ministry and its necessity. Being David A. Washington's youth pastor is one of the greatest gifts of my life and ministry. This book will help readers get a fresh perspective on the transformative power of relevant urban youth ministry. This is a must-read for parents, senior pastors, urban leaders, and those serious about ministry to youth! Great read and needed resource!"

--Harvey Carey, founding and senior pastor of Faith Citadel Church

About the Author

David A. Washington (DMin, North Park) is the founder and senior pastor of Kingdom Covenant Church, an urban inner-city ministry on the South Side of Chicago. He is the author of Kingdom Church: A People Committed to the King's Agenda and a youth ministry and gang intervention specialist with over three decades of experience working with youth, gangs, and prison ministry. Washington resides in Chicago with his wife and two adult children.