KEVIN WHITE
Manager, 24-7 Ministries, the Youth Ministry of Awana

About Kevin
As director of 24-7 Ministries, the youth ministry of Awana, Kevin White is passionate about reaching and discipling middle-school and high-school students for Christ. Today, under his leadership, 24-7 Ministries equips more than 4,000 churches across the U.S. with strategic tools to build a healthy youth ministry.

In his work with Awana, Kevin has led the development of the 24-7 Who, Me? and upcoming Now What? training programs. He also oversaw the rollout of the Trek middle-school program. He is involved with strategic planning and curriculum development for both Trek and Journey, the 24-7 high-school program, as well as vision casting for the Awana approach to youth ministry. Kevin also serves and mentors youth leaders from around the country.

Kevin’s story
Kevin’s own life changed dramatically in middle school through the kind actions of others and the realization of God’s amazing love for him.

Growing up in Sycamore, Illinois, Kevin’s parents divorced when he was young. He lived with his mom, and she made a commitment to take Kevin to church each week. During middle school, a few men from the church began investing in Kevin’s life, caring for him and providing the strong male influence that he needed. One of the men invited Kevin to help rehab a house, and he learned a variety of skills – and spiritual lessons.

“Through the kindness of these men, I gained a better understanding of Jesus and the Church,” Kevin says. “The Church started to be the Church and not just what we do on Sunday. I saw the local church as it’s called to be. This group of men took care of my mom and me, and I was influenced a great deal.”

Kevin began a personal relationship with Christ during middle school and began growing in his faith. In high school, he served as a student leader in the church youth group. A vision for student ministry took root.

A heart for youth
Prior to joining Awana in 2004, Kevin served on a church staff as youth pastor and volunteered with a national youth ministry. Kevin saw firsthand the challenges facing today’s generation. He gained valuable insights into how the church can more effectively bring students to a saving faith in Christ and partner with parents to raise spiritually strong children and teens.

“I have a heart for the average kid,” Kevin explains. “Sometimes in youth ministry, we swing to the extremes. The ‘star’ kids and the broken kids get all the attention, and we miss the average kids in the middle.

“Children’s ministry workers and youth workers need to work together for the sake of impacting the participants of those ministries. Too often kids from children’s ministry drop off and don’t make the transition to middle-school ministry. Leaders need to be trained in helping kids stay engaged in church.”

A passion to train and equip youth leaders
Not only is Kevin dedicated to helping students get excited about a personal relationship with God, but he is also committed to equipping youth workers to impact this generation. He enthusiastically shares ideas, provides guidance and offers encouragement to those on the front lines of youth ministry.

Using concepts and skills he acquired while earning his college business degree from Northern Illinois University, Kevin enjoys helping youth leaders with processes and administration.

“It’s important to have our theology down pat, but it’s also important that leaders focus on the tangible aspects of working with people,” Kevin notes. “God has created the Church, and my job is to equip the person who is doing the work in the local church and serve him or her as best I can.

“About 80 percent of churches don’t have a full-time youth pastor, so how can I best help the average guy who’s showing up on Sunday mornings or Wednesday nights trying to reach and disciple students? There’s so much richness in helping these faithful leaders.”

A voice for today’s generation
As a speaker and workshop teacher at churches and conferences across the U.S., Kevin is a recognized thought leader in how to create and build vibrant youth ministries. He regularly trains Awana field staff and ministry teams and participates in regional Awana training conferences as well as ministry conferences outside of Awana. He also speaks to church youth groups on a variety of topics.

Kevin is a member of the Christian Management Association, the Association of Youth Ministry Educators, the Gospel Music Association, the American Marketing Association and the National Network of Youth Ministries. He is also Youth Specialties CORE Certified.

While at Awana, Kevin has developed partnerships with other youth ministries, such as LIFT Student Ministries, Adventures In Missions, Student Leadership University and the National Network of Youth Ministries. The goals of these relationships are to work together and share resources to better reach and grow students spiritually.

Family life
Kevin and his wife, Robyn, met in high school and dated through college. They were married in 2002.

For several years, Kevin and Robyn served as leaders in their church’s college ministry. They currently are involved as small group leaders and coaches and as children's ministry volunteers. They also contribute to global causes through the church's international ministry and HIV/AIDS task force. They live with their daughter, Rayna, in suburban Chicago.

How to contact Kevin
To schedule an interview, contact David Bunker at 630.540.4695 or e-mail mediarelations@awana.org.