MEET JOSH & KRISTIN LEWIS

Kristin and I grew up in Dayton, Ohio. We both attended the same high school and during our sophomore year we began working at the same local grocery store, Dot’s Supermarket. Through Dot’s, we became good friends and began dating in our senior year of high school. We both went to the same college, Wright State University, and got married in 2015. Throughout college, Kristin and I both served together in youth ministry and developed a heart to pour into the lives of students together.

Though I have lived the majority of my life in Dayton, Ohio, I was actually born in Kent, Washington and lived for a few years as a young child in the Northwest. Interestingly enough, a few years before I was born, my parents lived in Renton and were baptized at Highlands in the late 80s!

ABOUT JOSH

HIGH SCHOOL PASTOR & STUDENT MINISTRIES TEAM LEADER

WORK EXPERIENCE2015–Present Far Hills ChurchDirector of Student Ministries | Student Ministries Pastor

2014–2015 Apex Community ChurchMS Coordinator | Interim Director of Student Ministries

2013–2014 Far Hills ChurchNext Gen Intern

EDUCATION2015–Present Southern Baptist Theological SeminaryMasters of Divinity

2011–2015 Wright State UniversityBA Communication Studies

HOW JOSH MET CHRISTI grew up in a Christian household and at the young age of five I came to faith in Christ. As I grew up, I increasingly grew in knowledge of Christ through my parents and the church. However, about midway through high school, I realized that my walk with Christ had become too dependent upon other people and needed to be something I personally took responsibility for. After that moment, the Lord began to reveal Himself to me in ways I had never known before, and I learned how to root my identity in Christ. Jesus took my heart that constantly wanted the approval of others and showed me through His love I was already approved.

MINISTRY CALLINGI felt called to ministry in my freshman year of college. I attended my first year without knowing what I wanted to do for my future calling, so I jumped into a broad major (Communication Studies) to find my occupation. While deeply involved in school and a para-church organization called the Navigators, I felt the Lord calling me into full time pastoral ministry. At first, I was skeptical, but I began to feel a deep burden for the lost and a desire to communicate God’s Word to the broken.

Once others affirmed this calling, I began serving in youth ministry as a small group volunteer. From there, my opportunities began to grow as I looked to further my calling. I have served as a Middle School Coordinator, Student Ministry Coordinator, Interim Youth Pastor, and Pastor of Student Ministries.

I love ministry because I love people. It is an honor and blessing to be able to have my full-time occupation be dedicated to the saving of the lost and the equipping of God’s people.

One of my goals in ministry is to not make myself the highlight of ministry but to lead leaders to be mobilized in their work for the sake of the gospel. I am excited to pour into a group of people who are striving to bring healing to the broken and raise up a generation that is passionately in love with Jesus. With that, ministry can be tough work and I look forward to sharing in the joys, heartaches, successes and failures with an encouraging team of people who have fun with one another and genuinely care for each other.

H I G H L A N D SNEXT GEN MINISTRIES

HEART FOR STUDENT MINISTRYI love seeing leaders grow with their students as they mature in their walk with Christ. It’s amazing to see a leader begin with a group of freshman kids and watch them reach graduation. I enjoy hearing their stories of how God changed the leader’s heart through the ability to serve the students, and how the students were impacted by the leader.

VISION FOR HCC STUDENTSMy heart for HCC students is that they know and understand that they are not the church of tomorrow but they are the church of today. I have a burden that they understand they don’t have to “wait” to become a Christ follower, but through Christ, they can be wholly devoted to loving God and pouring into others now.

With that, I desire to work alongside leaders to create an environment that upholds a level of excellence that communicates care and develops relationships full of grace and truth. My hope is that students walk in the doors of Highlands and find a place where they are known, loved, and challenged by the Word of God.

SPIRITUAL GIFTSTeaching, shepherding, and discernment

KEY MENTORSMy parents have played a pivotal role in shaping my life. They consistently tried to parent by example and my father would spend mornings teaching me spiritual disciplines and lessons in life.

Danny Whisner was a Youth Pastor and my supervisor when I was a Middle School Coordinator. He taught me how to be relational in ministry and lead as a servant.

Billey Otten was a youth leader that poured into me during high school. He showed me the value of Bible memorization, rooting myself in the Word of God and expanded my theology of God. He is one of the main reasons I desire to pour into the lives of students.

LEADERSHIP STYLEMy leadership style is relational and collaborative. I believe that a great leader truly cares for the personal lives of the team first and foremost. Influence and trust are gained by genuine love for others. While caring for their well-being, I am able to learn their strengths and weaknesses in order to empower them in the use of their gifts to accomplish the task at hand.

I believe that volunteers are just as much a part of the team as paid staff. The goal of the paid staff is to empower leaders to utilize their gifts within the church and in their community. Staff and volunteers work together as a cohesive team that accomplishes the goals of ministry and impacts the lives of students for the sake of the gospel.

INTERESTS AND HOBBIESI spend most of my free time working out, hiking with my dog, roasting coffee, watching movies, and sharing a good meal with my wife. I also love watching football, and I am a big fan of the Seahawks.

I greatly appreciate the writings and works of Matt Chandler, Tim Keller, John Piper, Judah Smith, Eugene Peterson, and Robby Gallaty. I enjoy listening to a variety of podcasts and sermons while also reading different books in my free time.

TEACHING SAMPLES

“Church and Culture” 6.3.18

“Idolatry” 10.21.18

“Legacy of Grace”3.25.18