“I think we should really be doubling down on youth ministry.”

Craig Macartney
Spur Ottawa Writer

Ottawa’s own Joey Molloy, for years one of the city’s leading voices in youth ministry and the former youth pastor at the MET, has been named Pastoral Network Director of the Canadian Youth Network (CYN). CYN comes alongside youth pastors and leaders to help them succeed in reaching Canada’s youth.

“The basic concept is that healthy youth networks breed healthy youth ministries, which breed healthy youth,” Molloy explains.

Molloy says many pastors and youth pastors feel they have no one to turn to for help dealing with challenges. Congregants and boards get uncomfortable thinking about their pastors’ problems, whether they are struggling with depression or something as simple as a busy schedule.

One of Molloy’s roles with CYN is essentially to pastor youth pastors.

“A lot of times, what it involves is a youth pastor or leader who is struggling with something and I come in and do some pastoral coaching. If there is an issue that comes up and they want some help with that, I’m there. Often times it’s that they are struggling with time management or with a particular parent, how to deal with them. It’s those types of things.”

Numerous studies have highlighted that, in North America, people who have not opened up to the gospel by their mid-20s rarely turn to Christ later in life.

Since his departure from the MET, in 2017, Molloy has served as the ministry director for Camp Cherith, in Lanark. An agreement between the ministries enables him to continue in that role, splitting his time between the two organizations.

In fact, Molloy has volunteered with CYN, supporting other youth pastors, for the past two or three years, he says. The new position, however, also has him working to establish networks of youth leaders to support each other in other areas of the country. It is a need he believes the Church must take seriously.

“The Church, in Canada, is on the decline. That means the resources available are on the decline,” Molloy says. “Now what is happening is churches are elevating volunteers to be youth ministry directors. These people are often gifted, but the positions really require professional help.”

“The church, in my opinion, is making a strategic error.”

Numerous studies have highlighted that, in North America, people who have not opened up to the gospel by their mid-20s rarely turn to Christ later in life. Because of this, Molloy says, youth need to be a top priority.

“The church, in my opinion, is making a strategic error in withdrawing funds from our children and youth ministries and shrinking back to making sure we have a pastor. I think we should really be doubling down on children and youth ministry.”

With the reality of many youth ministries being led by volunteers, Molloy believes organizations like CYN are even more important. He hopes churches will invest heavily in their youth and invest in CYN to help them do more to support youth pastors.

“I’m excited to be able to have a hand in shaping youth ministry at a macro level, across the country. I’m also very excited to be able to stay in Ottawa and be part of the youth network here. I really do believe that God is not done with Ottawa yet. I want to be able to stay here and be a part of that.”

Molloy officially began the new position on August 16. Together with CYN, he is planning a launch party on October 24, at Manotick Community Church, for anyone who is interested in hearing more about his work.