Ooltewah resident Matthew Vandegriff brings his nearly lifelong quest to work with students to Brainerd Hills Baptist Church where he is the new minister of students.
Vandegriff said he'll use his experience as a police officer for the Chattanooga Police Department and the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office - a total of 10 years - for the job. During his tenure he supervised student resource officers in public schools.
"Students aren't going to tell me anything that's going to shock me or make me feel like they're a bad person," he said. "I've seen a lot of things that I hope will bring some diversity to the way the ministry is done."
Matthew VandegriffHe said students he met may have been involved with drugs, alcohol, sex or gangs, but these habits were part of a bigger search.
"Everything is a seeking-after," he said, "to fulfill legitimate God-given needs."
He said he is working with about 60 kids to develop student leaders and cultivate peer leadership programs.
"Students expect adults to fill roles," he said, "to tell them, 'I'm praying for you.' But student leadership is more effective. I think students today are seeking more than ever. They're seeking authentic connections."
Vandegriff attended Brainerd Hills as a college student at UTC and served as an interim student minister for 10 months in 2007. He once interviewed for the full-time position but did not accept it.
"During the whole 10 years I always felt a drawing toward the ministry," he said. He even found time to earn a degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Vandegriff said his position will give some stability to Brainerd Hills students who've been through three youth ministers in three years.
Current youth programs at Brainerd Hills Baptist Church include Tuesday night student outreach program, Wednesday night youth worship and drama club and Sunday night student choir.