"In Alongside , Drew Hill helps adults understand teenagers and helps teenagers understand themselves. But more importantly, Drew helps all of us see the only remedy for our problems is found in the gospel of Jesus Christ. But teens, he tells us, require more than gospel information, they need a loving gospel relationship. They need someone to walk alongside of them. Parents and youth workers would be wise to read this book and mine the treasure held in its pages. A good book will make you cry and laugh, inspire you to action and compel you to pass it on. This is a good book." Marty Machowski , pastor and author of Parenting First Aid , The Ology , Long Story Short , and other gospel-rich resources for church and home "I highly recommend Alongside to all parents, teachers, youth ministers and anyone who has a concern for the well-being of adolescents.
Drew Hill has invested his life in helping teenagers respond to the unconditional love of God, and this excellent book offers practical help that will lead to their lives being forever changed." Gary Chapman , Author of The Five Love Languages "With raw, real life examples from decades of working with teenagers, combined with biblical and practical guidance, Alongside provides pathways to help all of us journey together with the rising generation toward genuine experiences of the gospel." David Robbins , President & CEO, FamilyLife " Alongside is a beautiful and practical companion for anyone who wants to learn how to better love the teenagers in his or her life. I found myself in tears as I read incredible real-life stories of the gospel breaking through the distractions, darkness, loneliness, and pain that often accompany adolescence. It tells the beautiful story of the gospel, and also offers tools that will help you communicate that story well as you walk alongside the teenagers in your life." Ellie Holcomb , Dove Award-winning singer/songwriter "Drew Hill engagingly demonstrates that the incarnation is not just a central Christian doctrine. It''s a model for how we share Jesus with teenagers. Alongside takes us on an authentic journey into the exciting yet perilous world of adolescence, making the case that sharing the gospel is not merely by words.
''It''s opening up our very lives,'' entering into their lives, as Jesus did. This is must reading for parents and youth workers!" Dennis P. Hollinger , President, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary "Drew Hill was my camp counselor twenty years ago. He has photos (read: blackmail) to prove it. Ever since I''ve known him, Drew''s passion and gift has been bringing gospel grace to young adults. In Alongside: Loving Teenagers with the Gospel , Drew has distilled decades of youth-ministry experience into a resource that is funny, engaging, and profound. Whether you''re a parent, pastor, youth leader, or teenager, I commend this book to you." Matt Smethurst , Managing Editor, The Gospel Coalition "As a former youth pastor, Young Life leader, and someone who has parented two teenagers, I''ve found great encouragement in Alongside .
In a time when the youngest among us are receiving so many confusing signals from their leaders, Drew has helped us see that ministry to teenagers is both walking alongside and in front of them. Alongside is a fresh reminder of the tremendous opportunity parents and leaders have been given. It''s an invitation to simply walk across the room, the street, and even the school parking lot and make a positive difference in someone''s life. I''m looking forward to seeing the far-reaching impact this timely resource will have in the lives of teenagers and those who minister to them. This book is a gift. I commend it to parents, pastors, lay leaders, and most especially, our fearless heroes: those walking alongside teenagers in youth ministry." The Most Rev. Dr.
Foley Beach , Archbishop and Primate, The Anglican Church in North America " Alongside: Loving Teenagers with the Gospel is a modern day primer for parents and youth workers. A must read for those who are serious about meeting teenagers where they are. Drew Hill''s format of questions and a prayer is very compelling and helpful. Most of all, you can tell that Drew Hill is not just an author; he is someone who has given his life to this high calling of reaching teens for the gospel." Gail Ebersole , Vice President, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Eastern US " Alongside is a great read for any parent or student leader who wants to effectively engage students with the gospel. With years of firsthand experience working with middle school and high school students, Drew shares keen insights into the next generation while offering practical suggestions for leading students to find their identity in Christ. Really powerful." J.
D. Greear , Pastor, The Summit Church, Durham, NC "I think for many of us, we can quickly forget what it felt like to be a teenager. I certainly had those moments as a Young Life leader while also trying to manage the intense world of professional sports. We forget the pressure to fit in, pressure to perform, and unrelenting messaging of how we just aren''t quite enough. In Alongside , my friend Drew lays out a beautiful display of what it means to pursue young people, right where they are. This book will equip anyone to impact the next generation with the heart of God." Clint Gresham , Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl XLVIII Champion; international speaker; best-selling author of Becoming " Alongside takes you on an amazing journey through the struggles and trials of being a teenager . and the joy that comes with walking alongside them and sharing the gospel.
Having experienced this firsthand as a lost teenager, then as a Young Life leader, and now a parent of three teenage boys, I promise you will want to take plenty of notes as you walk through Drew''s compilation of stories, triumphs, struggles, and truths. A great read!" Dave Alpern , President, Joe Gibbs Racing "Drew''s book to help simplify communication with teenagers will change lives! He uses his years of experience and knowledge of God''s Word to encourage parents and mentors to stop stressing about the small things. Alongside helps transform the principles of the Gospel into very practical ways to inspire the tender hearts of young people." Joe White , President, Kanakuk Kamps " Alongside is an essential read for anyone who loves teenagers and seeks to reach their hearts with the gospel. While full of practical advice, I was struck by how Drew Hill consistently points to God''s power as our only hope. This book is for ordinary people who serve an extraordinary Savior who walks alongside us." Matthew Smith , Singer-songwriter, Indelible Grace "Only the gospel gives lasting hope, meaning, purpose, and life. And it is parents and youth workers who are primarily called and strategically placed to speak the gospel into teenagers'' lives.
Drew Hill offers practical wisdom to help us do this." Walt Mueller , President, Center for Parent/Youth Understanding "Drew''s insight has been validated by decades of working with and caring for young people. But this is not just a book about relating to youth culture. It is a road map for living life well, at any age and in any community. Read it. Do what it says. The rewards are generous." Allen Levi , Singer-songwriter; author of The Last Sweet Mile "Drew takes you into the world of young people, pulls you into your own life, and sets you down in Scripture.
Alongside is a great resource to have on your bookshelf through the seasons of life and ministry. As a veteran youth worker and father of two, this book has refreshed my perspectives and recharged my passion to love young people well." Cesar Castillejos , Pastor; father; youth ministry veteran "In twenty-plus years of ministry, I have never met anyone more gifted at relating to and leading students to Jesus then Drew Hill. This book, Alongside , was written in the trenches, years and years of relating to students and parents. I couldn''t think of anyone on the planet more equipped to write this book. It is authentic, relevant, and helpful. A must- read for anyone leading teenagers!" Bryson Vogeltanz , Location Pastor, Passion City Church, Atlanta, GA "Drew Hill not only captures your heart with the power of the gospel, but this book is also full of captivating stories and illustrations. Alongside is an excellent resource for the church.
" Matthew Z. Capps , Senior Pastor, Fairview Baptist Church, Apex NC "There''s a special place in my heart for books that help parents and youth workers share with teenagers, not only God''s good news but their own lives too. A must-read book, Alongside is refreshingly honest and filled with life-changing, relationship-enriching insights and inspiration." Fil Anderson , Author of Running on Empty "Drew Hill''s passion for Jesus and teenagers is contagious! Alongside is an excellent read. Short, fun-to-read chapters, packed full of relevant stories and practical ministry ideas. Powerful and helpful guiding questions at the end of each chapter to help both parents and youth leaders process and apply the information. And I love that each chapter is drawn together with a pertinent Scripture passage and prayer intended to be used by the reader. These prayers alone are worth the price of the book.
Warning: Don''t read this book unless you want to be impacted in your personal and your ministry life. You won''t be.