We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jerrod Gunter a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jerrod, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

At a time when riots where breaking out around the conference We were faced with these Challenges in Memphis TN. Being faced with the challenges in
Memphis TN with gangs and crime and gang members getting younger ;
this mission gave us the response specifically in the
aftermath of a young Black student shot by a white police officer on the lawn of our church youth campus, students the city needed answers and guidance. We recognized there needed to be another response rather than destroying our city and riot we believed we needed to start righteous riots and destroy strong holds! (2 Cor 10:4)
we challenged students to view the Gospel and prayer as powerful responses to needs of our city i

We committed them to the power of prayer and power of the Gospel to interrupt the culture of violence brokenness and rage … we would Commit them to weekly prayer sessions in schools, culminating in over 500 students participating in a viral prayer event that showcased the transformative impact of prayer and the Gospel on youth ministry in Memphis. We were looking for a response for our city… but this was a response that would be seen around the country…young people on mission empowered with prayer and the Gospel.

•That movement we called RS because we needed another response (Martin said the Riot was the voice or response of the unheard) and we needed righteous movements to interrupt culture and change cities with the power of the Gospel.

**Since then Riotstarter have committed to building urban evangelism centers in the inner cities Memphis and to expand to other states …net works
We are raising up a team of leaders, youth young adults that are locked into the mission of mobilizing this next generation to take the gospel to the culture! We care what the next generation thinks about God!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

As a non-profit organization and ministry, we are devoted to making and mobilizing young disciples of Christ and empowering them to start Gospel movements that change cities and counter culture.

In the midst of nationwide riots sparked by the tragic killing of Mike Brown in St. Louis and racial tensions in Memphis, a transformative moment unfolded on the front lawn of a youth campus. Faced with the aftermath of a young Black individual shot by a white police officer, students sought answers and guidance. Recognizing the need for a different response than joining other organizations promoting riots, they were challenged to view the Gospel and prayer as powerful responses to city issues. Committing to weekly prayer sessions in schools, the movement gained momentum, culminating in over 500 students participating in a viral prayer event that showcased the transformative impact of prayer and the Gospel on youth ministry in Memphis.

Jerrod Gunter has a heart for developing and equipping youth in every phase of life. With more than 10 years of youth ministry experience, Jerrod has challenged students to make Jesus the priority in their lives. He has started a movement, labeling teens “Riotstarters”, that has shown them how to create a culture of prayer and evangelism in their schools and communities. Because of this bold vision, hundreds of students have made a decision to follow Jesus.

He has shared his passion for youth ministry with organizations such as Google, Impact360, Stuff You Can Use,Center for Youth Ministry Training (Nashville) and Dare 2 Share Ministries. His new book, Riotstarter, discusses how to create a counter-cultural movement of prayer to transform cities for Jesus Christ.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Giving people a mission.
In every area of a teens life they have a mission. On the football team there is a mission…on the swim team there is mission…on the debate team…even playing fortnite for 20 hrs straight they have a mission; but often times in the area of the church and thier relationship with Jesus teens are rarely presented with the mission. Often times in our churches or youth group we reach them with hype events, catered with dodgeball and pizza…but they are not “engaged” with a mission.

Teens reaching Teens, their cities, their communities, their campuses …with the Gospel!

That’s the mission: equipping them with the one thing that gives them the power to change thier schools their communities thier churches… you see this was the idea that sparked me; putting the “playbook” in the hands of teenagers who were searching for a mission, a purpose a cause to do something impactful. And it was not just gonna happen with them dragging another friend to youth group; it was gonna be them equipped with the Gospel and empowered by the Spirit to ignite a spark in thier culture. The mission is not just to gather in buildings… the mission in how many are equipped in the building to Go and engage culture with a message of hope. And they have the energy, the social capital, and hunger to do it… you see teens don’t need passion… (they got that)… they need permission! Give them the mission and get out of the way!

1.Get a Bold vision to engage your community! (Keep asking the community what they need: and fill it; real work happens at Ground level.)

2.Begin to train and equip the next generation to engage culture. (We need policy change and prayer; practical solutions and the prophetic.)

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

I think the most effective way in managing a team and maintaining high morale is first presenting them the purpose or mission for which they will lead. people want to be called to something… not just for something.

I think secondly as leaders we need to “model”what winning looks like so that the team can exemplify those standards. We should be leaders that display what it looks like to serve and in turn the team reproduces that.
and not only should we model it, but we should give them an opportunity to go do it. If as leaders we’re gonna simply do everything, then what we are training people to do will result in only “information” and they never get a chance for the “demonstration.”

Be authentic. no one knows everything being transparent endears you to your team. This creates an environment where others can thrive.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://riotstarter.org
• Instagram: jgunter5
• Facebook: Jerrod Gunter
• Twitter: jgunna27

Image Credits

Word of Life
Trey Easter