Rock steady: Youth pastor likes to leave his mark on the world

Youth pastor Andrew Steven Mellies of Rock of Cape Church in Cape Girardeau likes to, as he puts it, leave his mark on the world for other generations to follow. Mellies is the technology director at Rock of Cape Church and also serves as the athletic director/coach for Eagle Ridge Christian School while serving the teen pastor at Rock of Cape. Mellies said he couldn't do it alone. He said he hopes he can continue in his efforts to making sure today's teens leave their respective high schools with a knowledge of how to be the leader God has called them to be.

How long have you been a member of your faith? 12 years

How did you become teen pastor of Rock of Cape? I went to church here in high school and worked as intern during summers of college. I took the job after graduation from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Okla.

What are the age ranges of the youth that you serve at Rock of Cape? I serve age groups that range from 12 to 25.

How do you keep the teens engaged in ministry activities? By giving them objectives that they need to achieve so they take ownership of the teens ministry. This way they learn to find their purpose in leadership and Christ.

What has been your greatest challenge while overseeing the teens ministries department at your church? Helping teens maintain a Christian walk and leadership purpose after they graduate high school.

As a teens pastor, you serve in a supportive role to the head pastor at Rock of Cape. Who supports you? My wife, Rachel, who is also the children's ministry leader at the church and a teacher for Eagle Ridge Christian School. Also my teens leaders, whom without I could not function on a weekly basis.

What would you say is the greatest achievement you have seen since taking this position? Seeing young people that are in teens or have come through the teens ministry achieve things in leadership roles.

Do any of the teens serve in a leadership role within your organization? Many of the teens oversee areas of the ministry such as set up/media/worship. This way they take ownership of the teens ministry. The adult leaders oversee those areas to make sure there is accountability and constant leadership growth opportunity. We call them our 88 percent teams (because at one point 88 percent of all teens were leaving church after high school and we want to turn that statistic around).

Were you involved with Rock of Cape before becoming the teens pastor? Yes, I went here while in high school and worked as a teens intern to my youth pastor, Tony Hammack, during the summer months of college.

What's your favorite verse and why? Matthew 5:5, "Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth." Meek meaning humble; to me you cannot be a leader without humility or servanthood first. I believe God has called all to be leaders, not followers, especially today's teens if they are going to lead their generation. I believe I have to be humble and serve others in order to be the leader the Lord needs me to be to achieve the plans He has for me. I want to do whatever it takes to serve others and be that influence that the world needs.