Nate Butts
Nate Butts | VLC Youth Minister
Growing up in church, Nate gave his life to Christ at 18. But even after sensing God's call to ministry, he spent years pursuing a different path.
"I felt called to ministry for many years and did not do it," Nate shared. "It never went away. The call just got stronger."
Nate loved coaching football and investing in students through athletics. Yet no matter how much he enjoyed that season of life, God continued to remind him of the calling He had placed on his heart.
When asked what advice he would give someone who feels called by God but is hesitant to take the next step, Nate's answer was, “You feel the pull in your heart for a reason, so keep exploring it through prayer, fasting, and counsel with fellow believers."
For Nate, answering God's call wasn't about gaining something—it was about surrendering something. It meant laying down his own plans and trusting that God's plans were better.
"I knew what God was calling me to do, and I kept trying to do what I wanted to do."
Eventually, through prayer, wise counsel, and the encouragement of people around him—especially his wife, Val—Nate stepped into ministry.
Too often, students are described as the future of the church. Nate sees them differently. "They're not just the future," he said. "They're important right now."
When talking about the disciples, Nate points out something many people overlook. "How old do you think the disciples were? Probably teenagers."
Jesus didn't wait until people had everything figured out before inviting them into His mission. He entrusted young people to help change the world, and Nate believes He is still doing that today.
That's why student ministry matters.
It's not simply about keeping students busy or giving them somewhere to go. It's about helping them know Jesus, understand His Word, and discover that God has a purpose for their lives right now.
One biblical figure Nate especially relates to is Peter. "I feel like we can all relate to Peter." Peter made mistakes. He failed publicly. He denied Jesus when it mattered most. Yet Jesus didn't give up on him. He messed up, but Jesus still had a purpose for him."
That truth is one Nate hopes every student carries with them—that failure doesn't disqualify you from God's purpose. God's grace is greater than your mistakes.
As Nate continues serving students at Victory Life, his prayer is that they would understand they don't have to wait until they're older to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. And his challenge to anyone wrestling with God's calling is to “lean into it and trust in what He has planned for you."
Because on the other side of surrender is often the very thing God has been preparing you for all along.
"I felt called to ministry for many years and did not do it," Nate shared. "It never went away. The call just got stronger."
Nate loved coaching football and investing in students through athletics. Yet no matter how much he enjoyed that season of life, God continued to remind him of the calling He had placed on his heart.
When asked what advice he would give someone who feels called by God but is hesitant to take the next step, Nate's answer was, “You feel the pull in your heart for a reason, so keep exploring it through prayer, fasting, and counsel with fellow believers."
For Nate, answering God's call wasn't about gaining something—it was about surrendering something. It meant laying down his own plans and trusting that God's plans were better.
"I knew what God was calling me to do, and I kept trying to do what I wanted to do."
Eventually, through prayer, wise counsel, and the encouragement of people around him—especially his wife, Val—Nate stepped into ministry.
Too often, students are described as the future of the church. Nate sees them differently. "They're not just the future," he said. "They're important right now."
When talking about the disciples, Nate points out something many people overlook. "How old do you think the disciples were? Probably teenagers."
Jesus didn't wait until people had everything figured out before inviting them into His mission. He entrusted young people to help change the world, and Nate believes He is still doing that today.
That's why student ministry matters.
It's not simply about keeping students busy or giving them somewhere to go. It's about helping them know Jesus, understand His Word, and discover that God has a purpose for their lives right now.
One biblical figure Nate especially relates to is Peter. "I feel like we can all relate to Peter." Peter made mistakes. He failed publicly. He denied Jesus when it mattered most. Yet Jesus didn't give up on him. He messed up, but Jesus still had a purpose for him."
That truth is one Nate hopes every student carries with them—that failure doesn't disqualify you from God's purpose. God's grace is greater than your mistakes.
As Nate continues serving students at Victory Life, his prayer is that they would understand they don't have to wait until they're older to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. And his challenge to anyone wrestling with God's calling is to “lean into it and trust in what He has planned for you."
Because on the other side of surrender is often the very thing God has been preparing you for all along.
victorylife.net | 806-698-6553
12401 Slide Road, Lubbock, TX 79424
Sunday Mornings | 9:30am 11:00am
12401 Slide Road, Lubbock, TX 79424
Sunday Mornings | 9:30am 11:00am
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