DALTON, Ga. — Student-led services at Salem Baptist Church resulted in 10 baptisms during the youth ministry’s first baptism service on Jan. 28.
Salem’s Wednesday night youth gathering averages between 105 and 110 students, with total attendance climbing to 125 to 130 when leaders are included. But what makes the service distinctive is who leads it.
Benjamin Moore, youth pastor at Salem, said he once led worship and preaching himself. Over time, however, he and the leadership team intentionally handed those responsibilities to students.
“We’ve just tried to give that ministry away to the students,” he said. “Our desire has been to move towards that, through a lot of prayer, and little by little God has provided people to come.”
Now students lead games, teach, facilitate small groups, and play instruments in worship.
“We've been blessed with a lot of talent and a lot of gifted students,” said Evan Moore, Benjamin’s son, who focuses on the middle school youth.
The recent baptism service marked a milestone for the ministry. Ten students were baptized — all of them youth.
For Benjamin Moore, the shift toward student leadership is rooted in a desire to see young people living out their faith.
“One of the things that we try to intentionally point out is that they are the church of today,” he emphasized. “It's not about sitting there hanging out and consuming, but we tell them they need to serve. They need to lead. They need to pray about what God would have them do.”
Arianna Moore, Benjamin’s daughter and a pre-intern who helps with youth and leads worship in the bilingual ministry, said she sees a genuine hunger among students. “I think God put a longing in their hearts to do more than just come to church. They actually want to serve and be part of what He's doing.”
Benjamin Moore pointed to Anna Carr, a senior and worship leader, as an example of that culture. “She’s gone all out with her faith at school, sharing the gospel,” he said.
Even younger students are stepping up. A 12-year-old seventh grader has already taught in youth and is leading a small group. Although, as Evan Moore points out, “with a helping hand.”
“Exactly,” Benjamin Moore said. “We’re not just going to throw them out there, but we’re going to walk with them, and provide guidance and correction as needed.”
Students are also launching their own ministry initiatives. Carr recently started a Monday night girls group and is seeing it grow. “We've had 30, I think, at the most. We did a boys and girls group, and 50-something kids showed up,” Carr said.
For Carr, the baptism service was especially meaningful. Several of those baptized were part of her close friend group, including her best friend, Riley.
“It was a great night for me,” she enthused. “To see how they've grown in their faith.”
Carr recalled asking Riley a direct question while they were shopping for prom. “I asked her, ‘Are you saved? I know that you come to Bible study with me, and you go to church occasionally, but are you saved?’”
Riley answered no. The conversation stalled, but Carr said the burden stayed with her for months.
Some months later, sitting with Riley in a car near her old high school, Carr finally had the conversation again. “She got saved and gave her life to the Lord,” Carr said.
Evan Moore said that kind of transformation has a ripple effect. “I feel there's something so attractive about that, and it draws people in.”
Benjamin Moore agreed. “It’s not just a fake ‘we just go to church’ thing,” he added. “They really see a genuine faith.”
That authenticity extends beyond the church building.
Leaders regularly attend Fellowship of Christian Athletes meetings, school events, and sporting games, even when they are not scheduled to speak.
“A teacher told me once, ‘Just show up. You don't have to speak, just show up. You can be the youth pastor of these kids,’” Evan Moore said. “She said that she tried to get others to come, but they said not unless they were speaking. That broke my heart.”
Anna Carr believes that consistency matters.
“That builds a genuine relationship. We've talked about that a lot lately, actually getting to know somebody, showing that you care about them, exemplifying your relationship with the Lord through your relationship with them because you show love to them.”
Jordan Boswell, who leads the high school youth, added that being present at sporting events also helps connect with families.
“When you show up to their sporting events, they love seeing you there, supporting them. And you get to build relationships with the parents, too.”
When asked how to encourage students who feel called to ministry but aren’t sure where to begin, Evan Moore shared advice that shaped his own life.
“Something that my dad always told me is to be a ‘yes man,’” he said. “Any opportunity you have to serve, just say, ‘Yes.’ It's going to be hard to know where you're supposed to be until you try it.”
For Moore and his team, the 10 baptisms are a sign that students are saying “yes” and stepping into their calling now.
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