Introduction to “Project: Culture Changers”
An Invitation
I want to invite you into something big this year. It is something intentional, something practical, and something that will actually change the culture around you in the name of Jesus. It’s called "Project: Culture Changers.”
Every year I come up with a theme for our youth group. Our first year was Family. At the time, our group lacked consistency. Leaders had come and gone, but the students remained. So we redefined what it meant to be a family. Not just a group that shows up to the same events, but a people committed to loving, supporting, and walking with one another.
Our second year was Seek the Lost, Seek the Broken. We moved from inward care to outward compassion. Our hearts began to break for people who don’t know Jesus.
Our third year was Life On Mission. That compassion turned into action. We weren’t just feeling something anymore, we were living differently. Not just on mission trips, not just at events, but in everyday life.
And this year has been Come & See. We’ve leaned into the simple but powerful invitation of Jesus: come and see. Come and know Him. Come and follow Him. And invite others to do the same. Because you can live on mission, but if your life isn’t marked by invitation—both inviting others and continually responding to Jesus yourself—the mission will eventually stall.
But here’s the natural next step: If you have truly come and seen Jesus, you don’t just keep Him to yourself. You extend Him to others.
That’s where we’re headed. Because when Jesus changes your life, He doesn’t just leave you where you are—He sends you. And when people who have been changed by Jesus begin to live sent lives, the culture around them doesn’t stay the same. It shifts. That’s the heart behind being a Culture Changer.
From Talking About It To Living It
Let’s be honest for a second. We can talk about changing culture all day long. We can build a series around it, have great discussions, even feel inspired in the moment. But if it never moves into action, and if nothing actually changes in the way we live, then we’re not culture changers. We’re just observers. That’s not what Jesus has called us to.
So instead of letting this become just another theme we talk about, we’re building something that helps us live it. That’s where “Project: Culture Changers” comes in. This isn’t about doing something extreme or unrealistic. It’s not about trying to change the entire world overnight. It’s about faithful, daily obedience in the places God has already put you. Because culture isn’t changed in big moments alone, but it’s changed in small, consistent decisions over time.
What This Looks Like
“Project: Culture Changers” is a simple, year-long invitation to live differently. It’s inspired in part by the book Radical, but adapted in a way that is realistic, sustainable, and deeply intentional for our students. Over the next few weeks, we’ll unpack five challenges more fully. We will talk about why they matter, how to do them, and stories of what they can look like. But for now, here’s where we’re starting:
Read The Word Every Day
No matter what it takes, be in Scripture. This is where it all begins. Even if it’s one verse, that’s better than nothing. The goal isn’t perfection but consistency. We don’t want to overcomplicate this, but we do want to take it seriously. When you’re in the Word, you stay rooted in truth. You begin to think differently, live differently, and most importantly love differently. Without God shaping you through His Word, everything else in this project becomes unsustainable.
Pray for the World Every Day
It’s easy to feel small when you look at the world around you. But you are praying to a God who is not small. Prayer isn’t just something that fills you, but it’s something God uses to move. If we want to see change in our culture, it has to start with seeking Him daily. Not just for ourselves, but for the people, places, and problems around us. Imagine what could happen if our entire youth group became a people committed to daily prayer for the world.
Sacrifice Your Money
For many, this will be one of the hardest steps. Not because students are unwilling, but because it feels like there’s not much to give. But that’s exactly why it matters. This isn’t about giving out of obligation. It’s about trusting God with what you have. Jesus didn’t commend the people who gave the most; He honored the one who gave sacrificially. What you do with your money reflects what you trust and what you value. So this year, we’re choosing to be people who give. To the church. To local needs. To global mission. Not casually, but sacrificially. Because generosity doesn’t just change others. It changes you.
Spend Time In Another Context
Jesus constantly stepped into spaces that others avoided. He sat with unexpected people. He served in uncomfortable places. He loved without condition. If we’re going to follow Him, we can’t stay in our comfort zones. This means stepping outside your normal routines. Engaging with people who are different from you. Listening. Learning. Serving. We do not compromise truth, but we embody humility. If Jesus could wash the feet of His disciples, including Judas, then we can step into spaces that stretch us, too.
Join A Discipleship Group
You were never meant to do this alone. Community matters, but not just any kind of community. You need people who will challenge you, encourage you, and walk with you in a real way. Discipleship Groups are about going deeper. Not just showing up, but growing up. Not just learning information, but living it out together. If you want to fully step into “Project: Culture Changers”, you need people around you who are doing the same.
Will You Say Yes To The Invitation?
This invitation isn’t about becoming someone you’re not. It’s about being faithful with what’s already in front of you. If you’ve seen what Jesus can do, experienced His grace, been invited into His life—extend that same invitation.
Don’t just remember what God has done. Live in light of it. Take the mission with you: To invite others to come and see Jesus…and to change the culture around you for His glory. So as you step into this year-long invitation, make a decision. Not just about what you believe but about how you’ll live. And by God’s grace…be a culture changer.