“We are all capable of contributing to the world in a way that makes a profound difference. A rare few go big. Make the big gesture. Take the big risk. Expose themselves on a grand scale.Create and then ride the big wave. But most of us, myself included, take a different yet equally valid path. It’s the path of the ripple. Simple actions, moments, and experiences. Created, offered, and delivered with such a purity of intention and depth of integrity and clarity that they set in motion a ripple that, quietly, in its own way, in its own time, expands onward.Interacting with, touching, mattering to people we’ve never met in ways we never conceived.” – Jonathan Fields, How to Live a Good Life

Although I don’t believe Jonathan is a Christian, he just summarized what we do in preteen ministry.

We make ripples.

In the early days of ministry I wanted to change the world.

I wanted to cause HUGE waves that would point massive amounts of young people to Jesus.

I wanted to go big.

The reality of ministry over the years has allowed me to see things a bit more clearly.

I go for small impact now.

I make ripples.

Then, God does something cool with that.

Whatever he does with whatever good I initiate or create is up to him.

I simply get out of the way.

I’m removed from the outcome.

I hope what I do makes a difference in the lives of students.

I want to see them in a deep passionate relationship with Jesus.

Connected to each other. Serving those around them.

But my only job is to create ripples.

I believe we’re all in the same boat too.

We’re all making ripples, stepping out of the way, allowing God to do his stuff in the lives of preteens.

nick-diliberto-preteen-ministry

Written by Nick Diliberto, the creator of this website. He’s also married to a killer triathlete (Jena), and has three kids: Ethan (15), Joey (12), and Emma (11). Nick has been a preteen ministry leader for over 15 years and currently oversees the youth group at the Northshore Vineyard Church, just outside of New Orleans, LA.