Nate Landis Faces the Challenge of Reaching Our Youth Head-On
Posted by: Sheldon Freeman | August 28, 2025
Authored by Nate Landis (San Diego 2008)
What if youth workers took the Great Commission into the places where students spend most of their time—their schools? In God Wants His Kids Back: Schools of Thought to Reach a Lost Generation, author Nate Landis (San Diego 2008) challenges the reader with a proposition: “As church leaders, we have to ask how willing [we are] to leave the 10 percent of kids in the youth group to lovingly go search for the 90 percent in our public school system.”
As founder and director of the Urban Youth Collective, Nate has faced this challenge head-on. His book shares both the victories and hard-learned lessons from years of campus ministry. Readers will be captivated by his unique approach, which weaves together personal stories, biblical wisdom, practical case studies, and a stunning seven-page photo album—providing the perfect read for anyone looking to learn more about campus ministry.
Beginning with the cleverly titled chapter “Fish Travel in Schools,” Nate doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges but paints a compelling vision of churches embracing local schools as mission fields. His dream is revolutionary yet simple: “I dream of a day when supporting a school becomes as normal for churches as hosting weepy worship services.”
Whether you’re involved in student ministry, pastoring, or simply seeking fresh ways to serve the next generation, God Wants His Kids Back is a practical roadmap for moving beyond church walls into school halls. Allow Nate’s passion and fervor to ignite your vision for reaching students in your community.
Click here to watch Nate’s full book interview on YouTube!
Resource Review by Will Cumby (Houston 2010)
