Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Booth.
Brian, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I came out of college and a difficult season knowing that I wanted to dedicate my life to giving people hope. I wasn’t sure what that meant yet, but the journey led me to a few different non-profit organizations working with youth, and eventually to St. Peter. I spent about 10 years working with at-risk youth in various capacities, and it was quite a journey, with many ups and downs. I’ve been threatened and swung at, visited kids in the hospital, and take a group of 8th-grade boys on a wilderness backpacking trip. But the most fulfilling part was seeing kids turn their lives around, and succeed in becoming who they were created to be.
I love being a part of St. Peter because I get to be a part of what God is doing and a part of something that’s much bigger than myself. We have big dreams for reaching new people and starting 10 new ministry sites in the next 10 years. We can already see God putting the pieces together, and I’m thankful to get to be along for the journey.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. Like I mentioned with my work with at-risk youth, it was messy at times. Personally, it was hard too. I’ve had to fundraise my own salary (while we were pregnant with our first child), and I’ve gone months without receiving a paycheck because the organization was short on funds. Working with kids and being in ministry at a church and school is an emotionally heavy thing, and can burn you out if you’re not careful. Ultimately God has always provided and given me what I need for where He brings me.
Please tell us about St. Peter Lutheran Church and School.
St. Peter Lutheran Church and School is a ministry whose mission is to “lead people to a Full Life in Christ”. What that means to us is a life full of joy, community, rest, worship and connection with God. Our school, with over 500 students, provides a huge opportunity for us to connect with families on their journey and come alongside them to help develop their child – mind, body, and spirit. We’re also wrestling through how do we structure our church and school to be counter-cultural in the sense of fighting against the crazy busy culture and expectations surrounding us. How can we bless families by helping them prioritize what really matters and leaving time for rest, margin, family, and community?
We are a ministry that isn’t afraid to try new things in order to reach new people. We’ve started a new model of worship service that’s designed especially for families with young children to be able to worship together. We’re also on the front end of a vision to start 10 new ministries around the Chicago area in the next 10 years and are on the cusp of our first one.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Playing baseball every day over the summer at the playground and at the little league field with my brother.
Contact Info:
- Website: fulllifeinchrist.org, stpetermyschool.com
- Email: bbooth@fulllifeinchrist.org
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