Student Life Resources Announcement


June 2008


In June of 2004, a new era started at Student Life with the launch of Student Life Bible Study. Our calling to write this exciting new Bible Study curriculum was birthed out of our passion to see teenagers grow in their knowledge, understanding, and love of God's Word.

It's working! Thousands of churches across the United States and around the world are using Student Life Bible Study as their primary curriculum for their weekly Bible Study hour for teenagers, and we are hearing great testimonies. The last four years have given us an opportunity to learn and grow. We certainly know more now about ministering to teenagers, how teenagers interact with the Bible, and how our Bible Study and resources can be greatly improved.

In June 2008, a new leadership team is coming together for resource and curriculum development that leverages the strength of the Student Life Bible Study team and the collective creative gifts of the Student Life events production team. This new team is already working together on a more streamlined approach to developing Bible Study resources. This new approach will result in resources that are more creative, more culturally relevant, and designed to better serve the needs of youth workers. You can expect a revised volume of Student Life Bible Study coming in June of 2009, as well as large-scale innovations and improvements for all of Student Life Bible Study.

Andy Blanks will be leading the curriculum design and content development efforts. Andy was the first editor to work for Student Life Bible Study, managing the editorial process from 2003 to 2007. Andy also has the vantage point of a teacher, as he has been teaching Student Life Bible Study to teenagers for the last four years. Since May of 2007, Andy has been leading the development of the Just Like Christ line of Disciple Now curriculum, and the 31 Verses Every Teenager Should Know line of devotional books. Andy has a B.A. in Professional Writing and Public Discourse from the University of Alabama-Birmingham (2003), and will graduate with his Masters in Divinity in 2009 from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

Les Bradford will be providing leadership in developing, packaging, and delivering resources to youth ministry leaders. Les has been director of Student Life Resources for three years, working to produce excellent event resources for ministry, as well as coordinating much of the development and delivery of Student Life Bible Study resources. Les started his Student Life journey as a seventh grade camper at Covenant College in 1995.

Chris Kinsley will be leading the creative and thematic development efforts. Chris brings eight years of experience as Creative Producer for Student Life events. Chris has led the process of developing dramas, videos, graphics, and most everything else that goes into what happens at Student Life events. Chris has a B.A. in Christian Studies from Mississippi College (2001) and a Masters of Divinity from Beeson Divinity School (2004).

Student Life Bible Study Advisory Team
We are also pleased to announce the creation of an Advisory Team to assist us as we evaluate and revise all of the Bible Study resources we produce. Randy Hall (President and Founder of Student Life) will be joined by Dr. Allen Jackson (Professor of Youth Education, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary) and Dr. Margie Williamson (Executive Editor for Life Bible Study), as well as other key leaders in the field of youth ministry. Please stay tuned for a coming announcement about the new Student Life Advisory Team.

Since 1994, Student Life has hosted ministry events for teenagers and youth ministry leaders. In 2008, Student Life will host more than 100,000 teenagers and their leaders at 85 events across the U.S. Through Servant Life, Student Life also sends mission teams to Ukraine, Ecuador, and South Africa, as well as other countries. In 2004, Student Life began producing Bible Study curriculum and resources, now used by thousands of churches in the U.S. and around the world. For more information, contact Tanya Smith at Tanya@studentlife.net, or see the web site at www.studentlife.com.