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New Youth Pastor to Develop a “Maximum Impact Ministry”

By Dr. Sheila Coleman, Director of Family Ministries

Our new Crystal Cathedral Director of Student Ministries, Janie Zinn
I would like to introduce you to our new Youth Pastor and Director of Student Ministries, Janie Zinn, who has been involved in youth ministries for the past 10 years.

Most of Janie’s youth ministry experience was in service to the Emmanuel Reformed Church in Paramount, California. She started in ministry to youth as a volunteer and college intern, leading a peer-counseling group. Working with grades 6-12, Janie has served as a small group leader, a discipleship mentor, and one of three youth ministries directors, as well as director of a junior high and high school community after-school program, and with Project Timothy, a RCA summer youth missions program since the summer of 2004.

I recently asked Janie a number of questions about her passion for youth ministry and her plans for ministering to the youth of the Crystal Cathedral. Here, in full, are her very concise, articulate, and enthusiastic responses:

Q. What is it that you like about youth ministries?
A. I love youth ministries! This is a time of transition and growth in students lives. Being a part of youth ministry, whether it's your full-time job or working with students as a volunteer, places all who work with students in a unique and honored position of being a bridge, encouraging students as they mature from childhood into young adulthood and a life of deepened faith. I cannot think of a greater calling than to invest in the lives of students. They aren't just the church of tomorrow; they are the church of today.

Q. Can you describe your call to our ministry and how you made your decision to accept it?
A. As I look at back on the journey on which God has taken me, I can say with confidence, my call to ministry at the Crystal Cathedral is one ordained by God. When God called me out of full-time ministry in the summer of 2005, I heard His voice whisper, "Two years." I thought OK, but "What?" " Where?" "How?" Two years is pretty vague.
This spring I received an e-mail from a faithful brother in Christ basically saying, “I told leaders at the Crystal Cathedral about you and I think you will be a good fit.” I soon met with Dr. Poit and Dr. Sheila Coleman, and, as I walked the campus, I could feel the movement of the Holy Spirit.
After being offered the position of director of student ministries, I prayed, asking God if this was where I was suppose to be. I said, “God, I just need someone I don't hear from often to tell me to go for it.” The next morning, I received an e-mail from my mom's best friend that simply said, "Go for it." I sat staring at my computer screen. Those are the words I asked God for! I love how God uses e-mail to speak!
Then I remembered, "Two years." We serve a faithful God and I am honored that he has called me, two years later, to this place at this time.

Q. What do you envision for the Youth Ministries department here at Crystal Cathedral Ministries?
A. My vision for Youth Ministries at Crystal Cathedral is that it would be a maximum impact ministry where the lost are found, the found are discipled, and the discipled are trained to be leaders for the Kingdom of God.

Q. Anythingelse that you would like to add?
A. Our Heavenly Father is faithful and I am blessed and honored to partner in this ministry. I look forward to the great things God is going to do in Youth Ministries at the Crystal Cathedral.