ministry SPOTLIGHT:

Heather Shoffstall Brings Experience and Passion to Youth Ministry

Heather Shoffstall didn’t initially choose a career in youth ministry. Youth ministry chose her. Actually, it was the kids.

Heather’s call into youth ministry began in 2007 when she volunteered to lead a group of older students, loosely 6th through 9th grade, at Vacation Bible School at Grace United Methodist Church, Somerset, PA. They hit it off, and she continued to meet with them when fall came.

“The church did not have a super-active youth ministry,” Heather said. “It was in transition between pastors that year. The ministry was coming but was not there yet.”

In March 2008, a group of girls asked, and she agreed, to take students to the first-ever SPARK conference. SPARK is the Western PA United Methodist Church’s annual rally for students in 6th-12th grades. In the summer of 2008, students asked her again, this time, to take them to Creation, a Christian music festival.

“They were persistent kids,” Heather said, smiling. “Then, I remembered what it was like to go to Creation when I was their age, and I really wanted to give them that experience. I told them the only way I would go is if they found an adult male to go, too.” They did.

That is how Heather transitioned into serving as the volunteer youth director at Somerset Grace UMC for 11 years – all while she was a single mom to Grant and Kendra and a full-time employee at Wheeler Fleet Solutions, where she worked for 18 years.

Heather’s life lends truth to the saying, “If you want something done, ask a busy person.”

“I went into youth ministry kicking and screaming,” she said. “I often say God hit me on the head with a sledgehammer.”

It seems when it comes to kids, Heather instinctively puts them first. She decided to leave Somerset, where she lived her first 47 years, and move to the Pittsburgh area in 2019 so Kendra could attend Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School. Kendra, now a junior at Seton Hill University, is studying pre-dance therapy and psychology. Grant is a professional videographer in Akron, Ohio.

Almost simultaneously with the move to Mt. Lebanon, Heather accepted a position as the family ministry director at Christ United Methodist Church in Bethel Park.

“The opportunity at Christ Church came about as we were moving. I interviewed on Monday and put my resignation in at Wheeler on Tuesday. I didn’t even have the job yet,” Heather said. “I figured if this [Pittsburgh] is where God wants me to be, he will provide.”

The biggest challenge at Christ Church was learning how to do youth ministry during a pandemic. “I had to figure it out as everybody did, but I also had a lot of learning opportunities,” Heather said, noting that she was able to earn her youth ministry coaching certification and develop personally and professionally.

“It was a hard season,” Heather said. “I don’t think I did anything the same two years in a row.” She left Christ Church in April 2023 and joined Dutilh in early August. And she is thrilled.

“I’m excited because the youth of this church are excited,” Heather said. “They are on fire for Christ, and they are leading in a way that keeps the ministry rolling. I am excited to see that grow and see what different things we can do, what missions we can be involved with, and what experiences we can provide the youth so they can look fondly on these years.”

Heather plans on using the Grow Curriculum for Dutilh Student Ministry. It builds on four talking points each year:

1. Spending time with God

2. Spending time with others

3. Using our gifts

4. Sharing our story

“By the time we go on summer mission, the students should be comfortable talking about their story,” Heather said. “We repeat these four talking points every year. So, we are always growing in our ability to tell our story and lead others to Christ.” This fits in well at Dutilh, where we believe “your story matters here.”

Heather is also looking to attract more volunteers to youth ministry, something that benefits everyone.

“The more people in youth ministry, the better,” Heather said. “I worry about burnout with volunteers. I am very aware of that. And the more community we can build around these kids, the better off we all are.”

Relationship-building is at the heart of a successful youth ministry, says Heather. “My job is not to love students where I want them to be, but to love them where they are and to help guide them,” she said.

“I love watching teenagers learn to own their own faith. And I love watching them develop community relationships within the church walls,” Heather said. “I love allowing them to lead and showing them what that means from a Christian standpoint, how we lead gracefully.”

Heather is a lifelong Methodist, growing up in and belonging to Calvary United Methodist Church in Somerset until 2005. The oldest of three children (she has two brothers), her mother, Linda, still lives there. Heather’s father, Larry, died in 2009.

Heather is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Phoenix. She jokes that her gap year after high school lasted 33 years. “I’ve always wanted to go [to college], and social work can only enhance my relationship with students, parents, and volunteers,” she said.

Some fun facts you might not know about Heather:

• She loves to read/listen to books; she has made it through 65 books this year, not counting college reading.

• In working for Wheeler, she traveled to 44 of the 50 states.

• Heather won’t forget her favorite Bible verses; they are tattooed on her arm. They are Philippians 4:13: I can do all things in him who gives me strength, and Proverbs 31:25: She is clothed in strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

We are excited to see what God accomplishes in and through Heather at Dutilh!

-Published August 30, 2023