The future of our country and our churches depends upon those who teach, lead, and develop generation next. This task primarily falls to spiritual leaders who understand the future is sitting in middle and high school right now. Every youth ministry will rise or fall depending on the leadership commitment to four Essentials. This book is a field-guide of sorts that will help you achieve success in each. - The Essential of Self-Development: Caring for your personal spiritual fitness to be the person God has in mind. Eliminating unhealthy habits and replacing them with healthy ones. - The Essential of Other-Development: Recruiting, equipping, and caring for youth leadership who are the nuts and bolts of your ministry infrastructure. - The Essential of Managing Well: Establishing an operational system that is sustainable, biblical, and enjoyable. - The Essential of Gospelizing: Filtering and evaluating your ministry programming through the lens of discipleship and evangelism. If God has called you to serve students and families through youth ministry, may I invite you to evaluate what you do from these four essentials. Charles Poker Boyd, D.Min. is the founder and president of Student Ministry Essentials, Inc. After serving exclusively in the local church for 20 years, he launched a non-profit organization allowing him to serve youth ministers and youth ministries as consultant, coach, trainer, and advocate. As a course writer for Samford University, The Baptist College of Florida, and The Institute for Student Ministry Excellence, he is committed to being a lifelong learner and encourager to those who labor as unsung heroes of the adolescent community.