Two Decades In Ashland Student Worship Pastor ‘Feels Like I Just Started’

Two Decades In

 Ashland Student Worship Pastor ‘Feels Like I Just Started’

Mark Maynard, Kentucky Today

Brad Callaway’s two decades of ministry as student worship pastor at Unity Baptist Church make him something of a rarity.

When Callaway entered student ministry, the average tenure in the role was just one and half to two years. Yet 20 years later — and approaching his 46th birthday — he continues serving the same church and the same community.

“It seems like a long time but feels like I just started,” Callaway said. “Probably just because I’m trying to keep up with the Joneses, staying up with the changes. Youth ministry used to be cookie cutter in the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s. It fit that special mode: You do this, you do that.”

That formula has shifted, and Callaway has adapted with it. While many student pastors move on to associate or lead pastor roles, Callaway says student ministry is where God has called him and, until that changes, he plans to remain.

Callaway’s role at Unity extends far beyond student worship. Known for his wide-ranging skill set, he can preach when needed, teach across all age groups, manage church technology and serve as a steady, familiar presence with deep institutional knowledge.

  Unity Baptist Pastor Heath Bauer, who is in his fifth year at the church, understands Callaway's value because he has witnessed it.

"For the past 20 years, Brad has embodied the spirit of Philippians 2 — doing nothing from selfish ambition, but in humility counting the needs of others as more important than his own. He represents servant leadership at its best. Like Christ, Brad made himself of no reputation, willingly entering the challenging world of teenagers as a steady presence of care, patience, and gospel faithfulness," Bauer said. "Yet to recognize only his contributions to youth ministry would be to overlook the many other ways he has quietly served Christ and His church. Brad has helped launch young couples into marriage through premarital counseling, faithfully maintained the church’s fleet, and is often found serving unseen in the sound booth at Unity Baptist Church."

Over the years, the most dramatic change Callaway has seen in youth ministry has come through technology — especially smartphones. What began with BlackBerrys has evolved into iPhones that place constant connectivity in every student’s pocket.

Callaway embraces social media to reach students, often posting reels or memes to connect where they already are. But he acknowledges that attracting and keeping students engaged has become more difficult.

“From student ministry in the early 2000s, we had families who were still coming to church and kids could invite other friends and they would come to church. Today it’s not so much like that. It’s more of now I’ve got to be the one that’s going to them to show they are cared for, they are loved. Then it opens the door for them becoming more regular. The first window into student ministry is whatever you’re doing on social media.”

Social media’s grip on attention spans has only intensified the challenge.

“It definitely made it a whole lot more challenging to keep people’s attention,” he said. “There’s some stats that came out of a Christian university in California that said you have about 8 to 10 seconds before a student decides if it is worth paying attention.”

With his energetic personality, Callaway works to capture that attention while remaining grounded in preparation and purpose.

“I remember sitting in my office thinking about everything. How are we going to lean into this next group coming up through our ministry? What are some of the greatest needs they are facing and being able to be flexible. Romans 12: 1-2 talks about being a daily sacrifice. But it’s also important to know what’s going on in the world so I can lead students not to be of the world.”

‘I don’t know where I’d be without him’

Ben Stringer, who was part of Callaway’s ministry from 2006 to 2010, keeps in touch while now living near Houston.

“The hindsight that hits me, Brad was always there outside of the ministry of Sunday mornings and evenings and Wednesday evenings,” he said. “Brad was kind of the guy picking you up on Fridays or Tuesday nights. What makes him like a superhero in that facet was the amount of time he spent with me outside of his job, so to speak. He was really my friend, really a part of my life. I knew what he was leading me toward. I could see Christ in his life.”

Stringer said he remembers the dashboards of all three of Callaway’s cars because of the many conversations of struggles and victories they shared while driving.

“Something drew me in as a teenager,” he said. “His relationships didn’t look boring. He looked like he had something more going on. He really was serving the living God of the universe. You have to put yourself out there and have faith. He really did shape me. I don’t know where I would be without him, especially focused on Christ.”

The ‘rock’ in his life

 Callaway credits much of his stability in ministry to his wife, Laura, whose parents — Kevin and Wanda Riddle — previously served as youth leaders at Unity, including during Callaway’s own youth.

“Laura has been a rock for sure,” he said. “She has lived here all her life. She takes a big risk with me. I told her when we were talking about getting married, I don’t know where the Lord is going to want me to serve or need me to serve. As we started praying about that when we were dating, she said, ‘I really don’t want to move. All my family is here. Her being able to say, ‘Listen this is what I want, but I desire to be where God needs us to be.’ That kind of support has kind of been the anchor for us. For me for sure. Having her by my side has just been a true godsend and has helped keep me centered.”

Another layer of ministry comes at home, as Callaway now serves as student pastor to his own children. Carmen and Joel are currently in the youth group, while their youngest, Vivian, will join in a few years.

“It's weird,” he said. “At home, Laura and I try to be those disciple-makers for our kids, raising them up as we’ve been in student ministry. We’ve seen the doors kids have walked through that they shouldn’t be going through and lifestyles they’re embracing. As we are discipling our kids at a young age, all of the sudden, they are in youth group. It’s not easy.”

Kingdom impact beyond Ashland

KBC Children & Student Ministry Consultant Matt Flanagan said Callaway’s decades of leadership at Unity have “impacted countless families with the gospel and we will never be able to measure the fullness of the impact. He has demonstrated the commitment to reach and disciple teenagers and their families.”

Callaway’s kingdom impact goes beyond Ashland, Flanagan said. “He and his wife Laura help lead our KBC retreat for other student ministry leaders and their spouses. He does much more than help plan; he nurtures meaningful friendships and encourages other ministry leaders across the state.”

He has also taught Equip Conferences for the KBC to empower churches in student ministry, Flanagan said. He added Callaway’s longevity is a strength.

“The greatest assets for student ministry leadership are spiritual maturity and intimacy with Christ,” Flanagan said. “Churches are wise to recognize our students greatest need isn’t another peer; it’s someone who is an example and will point them to Christ. This requires relationships built over years.”

Callaway's service at Unity Baptist stretches far beyond youth ministry, Bauer said.

"While Brad is best known for his years of youth ministry, that work represents only the visible portion of a much larger life of service—one whose full measure is known to God alone. Thank you, Brad, for your abiding faithfulness. We rest in the promise of our Lord that “your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:4)."

Callaway does not know how long God will keep him in student ministry, but he is not seeking an exit.

“My dad (Cliff Callaway) was in ministry (a longtime worship pastor) and he said as far as your gifting goes: Is the Lord still using it? Can he still use it, and is it still being effective at this time? I was 14 when I surrendered to the ministry. Dad said, ‘You’re not going to be at one place forever, as cool as that sounds.’”

So far, that “cool” has meant two decades of praying with, crying with and sharing the gospel with generations of Ashland students — and Callaway is still right where he believes he is meant to be.