Oxbow Lake Baptist Revolutionizes Teen Ministry

Pastor Chris Todd and his wife, Jennifer, met as teens and members of the Oxbow Lake Baptist Church youth ministry before marrying six years ago. Now, with the help of his wife, Todd is leading the Teen Revolution ministry with an audacious approach that has kids discussing tough topics and coordinating mission trips around the world. 

“We’re primarily focused on teaching the Bible and making relevant applications to today’s life,” Todd said. “I feel that they are at the age group where they’re starting to make decisions that will affect the rest of their lives and there isn’t a lot of good counsel out there.”

The group consists of 45-55 junior and senior high school-aged kids. They meet every Wednesday and Sunday to discuss the Bible and cover issues pertinent to teens today. Unafraid to tackle delicate social issues, Todd and his wife are currently discussing purity with the Teen Revolution group.

“We like to jump into those uncomfortable subjects,” Todd said. “We don’t want kids to make a mistake and say ‘no one ever told me,’”  Todd said. “The way I see it is the Bible tells pastors to preach the gospel. In many ways the gospel is offensive to people, but our first priority is to stay true to the gospel that saved us. If it’s politically incorrect, so be it.” 

“I think it’s really important that we’re studying purity,” said Rachel Bruder, 14. The young men and women are divided and taught separately by Todd and his wife. “It helps with things that teens are going through. You learn you can be strong and God is always with you.”

Bruder, who has been going to Oxbow Lake Baptist since the second grade, has taken part in the mission trips coordinated for Teen Revolution.“I went on the latest mission trip to Wales,” said Bruder. “My parents came too. It was so much fun and we were able to do a VBS (vacation bible school). It was my first time out of the country and it was very exciting.”Since 2006, Teen Revolution has traveled on mission trips to Mexico, Africa, Tanzania, Wales and Ghana.

“We try to go out of the country every other year,” Todd said. On the off year, the group travels domestically. “We do whatever is needed. No trip is like the one before it. We’ve built churches from the ground up and we’re looking to go to Ecuador next year.”

The price of the next international trip will be about $2,000 per person. To offset the cost, the group is putting on a 5k-10k run at Indian Springs Metropark in White Lake on May 21 at 9a.m.

“We’re hoping it will take a huge cost out of the way,” said Todd. “Our sponsorship is almost 100 percent local businesses. Leo’s Coney Island (in White Lake) was really ready and willing to help out in any way.”

Whatever the Teen Revolution is up to, it is important to Todd that every activity retains a spiritual impact. Whether they are coordinating a canned food drive, building a church or studying the word of God, Todd and his wife remain united in continuing a ministry that brought them together.

“I couldn’t do it without her,” he said.