What Alabama’s student ministers are saying about First Priority

As First Priority Greater Birmingham marks 20 years of ministry, student ministers and leaders are talking about the appeal, effectiveness and impact of the ministry that started as only a dream of Benny Proffitt, founder of First Priority of America. Today, the ministry — well known for their yearly See You at the Pole event — operates in 3,000 schools in the United States and in Europe, South America and Africa.

See what Alabama’s student ministers are saying about First Priority:

Stephen Hall, minister to students, NorthPark Baptist Church, Trussville
When Hall served as a student minister in Hayden, a few years ago, he helped the First Priority club at Hayden High School. “That was my first experience with First Priority,” he said.

“It encourages kids to do more than just attend school but to attend school with the mind-set that their school is the missions field that God has called them to,” Hall explained. “First Priority also does well with encouraging churches to come together to do campus ministry as a team of churches around a public or private high school or middle school.”

Greg Walker, youth and family minister, Immanuel Baptist Church, Hokes Bluff
Immanuel Baptist has been involved in First Priority for nine years, and Walker said he has seen the positive effect the ministry has on students.

“For me, the appeal for First Priority is the simple fact that everyone has a place,” he said, adding that anyone has the opportunity “to come and feel welcome.”

“Some of these kids don’t go to church, and that’s all the gospel that they’re going to hear.”

Bryant Frederick, director of student ministries, Grace Life Baptist Church, Bessemer
Grace Life has been involved with First Priority for approximately 10 years. Frederick said one student in particular was very grateful for First Priority. “It just gave that student an opportunity to share [his/her] faith,” he said. “They are making a difference and … I just pray and hope they continue plugging away and doing what they’re doing because they really are making an impact — not only on the schools, but they’re making an impact on our church campuses as well.”

Are you a student minister involved in First Priority? Share your experiences with us by e-mailing news@thealabamabaptist.org or posting your comments on our Facebook page.