Youth Pastor Interview
Presented to
Dr. Stephen Vandegriff
For
CHMN 301 – D01
Foundation of NextGen Ministry
By
Marcus Scott
Biography
Pastor Charles Peter Gibson, an anointed servant of Jesus Christ, is a native of Byron, GA. To
experience the ministry of Pastor Gibson is an experience of love, impartation, revival,
challenge, impact, and edification. Among many things, he is anointed to lead people into the
presence of God, recognize their gifts, and equip the people of God through his revelatory
preaching and teaching which brings insight into the lives of many. Provoking the Body of Christ
to holiness, deliverance and maturity, Pastor Gibson’s ministry has reached various churches,
schools, revivals, and conferences; crossing denominational barriers. He has reached and touched
the lives of many people including youth, teenagers, young adults and adults as he fulfills the
commission upon his life. He was licensed into the ministry under Pastor Walter Glover of
Macon, GA, Senior Pastor of Greater Zion Baptist Church, in November 1973, and later
ordained by the same church organocation in October 1983. He is a graduate from Mercer
University where he earned a Master of Divinity degree. Affectionately known to some youth as
"Peter", Pastor Gibson takes on the ministry assignment of being a mentor; assisting those youth
who possess the calling of God on their lives for ministry and are hungry for more of God in
their lives. At his home church, First Baptist Church, he currently serves as the Pastor.
Interview
What ages are you responsibility for, when it comes to teaching? Teenagers are often
described as an unwelcome bunch of learners that pose multiple difficulties to teachers. And it
may be true as it is for any age group when you do not know how to deal with them. I have been
teaching teenagers for the past 20 years and they are in fact my favorite age group. I can
remember being an individual therapist in Atlanta, GA. The facility were I worked was Charter
Peachford. While I was there, I felt to always be committed to depressed teenagers.
I use the formal approach to teaching. I present Jesus’ teachings in ways students will
remember and carry with them; use memorable Bible lessons and activities. Provide teens with
Bible reading aids to help them study on their own or turn learning the Bible into an exciting
game. Bond teens is important Bible lessons and activities during their religious study.
In what subjects do students appear to demonstrate and interest (with regards to teaching
opportunities)? I have experience two subject that are most interesting to students in ministry.
First, it is fashion. Many of us might assume that only girls discuss about fashion, but I have
experienced both sexes in student ministry give a lot of attention towards their looks and their
clothing. I have notices one of the many reasons students in ministry has the privilege of
following the latest fashion trends is because their parents have a lot more disposable income
compared to the previous generations. Second, it is their future. I must admit, we all like to
daydream about our dream job or about our dream holiday or about marrying our soul mate.
Students in the ministry do spend a considerable amount of its time dreaming and discussing
about its future.
Describe the teaching context (the room, building). On all of the walls of the room,
posters can be found regarding the Scriptures and behavior expectations. The student’s work and
upcoming events are displayed on the bulletin board outside of the classroom.
What improvements (If any) would you like to see in the teaching location? I would like
to see every third Thursday of each month to have dinner with parents. They will be invited to
eat dinner me in the fellowship hall of the local church to talk about issues that are current in the
community. Why? This allows parents of the young of the local church to become comfortable
with me and appointed people in the student ministry to express both concerns and positive
thoughts about the ministry. It allows the student ministry to be more personalized and gives
parents the opportunity to provide input.
What has been your best method of idea, when it comes to teaching? A brilliant effective
teaching strategy for me: create anticipation for my curriculum. Think Hollywood. They never
just release a movie, its against attention hacking DNA. Every movie ever released from
Hollywood is first launched with a Preview. You go to see a movie and before that movie begins
– you shown 5 movies that are ‘Coming Soon’. Then you see the Preview again on TV or
YouTube and you can’t wait for it to come out because of all the anticipation they’ve created for
you.
Personal Ministry application
It is about sharing the Gospel and building relationships within a specific group of
people. It is important for me to unashamedly share the Gospel with the lost. I don’t have to wait
for the right time; the right time is now. Sharing the Gospel shouldn’t wait until I have my finger
on the pulse of the situation. In fact, sharing the Gospel is how I find out someone’s specific need
in the first place. There is always opportunities for me to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.
For example: share the Good News with boldness when eating with students in the cafeteria,
hanging out in the dorms, meeting students at fraternity houses, changing in locker rooms,
studying in the coffee shop, etc. Telling the Story of Jesus Christ with individuals or groups.
Teach it clearly in Bible studies and weekly meetings. The Gospel is the power of salvation, so I
share it unashamedly.
