A new era of youth ministry begins at Tifton First Methodist this month as we welcome the addition of Brent Justice to the Tifton First family. Brent, who was recently hired as the new director of youth ministries, his wife Alisha, and daughter Lilah, moved to Tifton this month.
Brent joins us with a wealth of knowledge and experience in both education and ministry that will lend well to the growth of the Tifton First Youth program.
A native of Tifton, Brent graduated from Tift County High School in 2005. He then earned Associate Degrees in Psychology and Middle Grades Education from nearby ABAC. While a student at ABAC he met and eventually married Alisha. Following his graduation from ABAC, Brent spent a few years in the construction business before he and Alisha were called to the mission field, which took them to Bundibugyo, Uganda for nearly four years. While in Uganda, the two supported the mission organization SERGE, based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
“I have a background in construction,” said Brent, “so I oversaw building projects and maintenance, and supported other missionary projects.
“There was also a group of 8-10 young men who I mentored.”
While Brent was building and mentoring, Alisha, a registered dietician, was in the local hospital two days per week where she assisted with health education and supplementation, as well as sharing the gospel with patients.
When Alisha became pregnant with Lilah, the couple made the decision to leave the mission field and return to the United States. They landed in Augusta, Georgia where Alisha took a position at Augusta University and Brent became a teacher at a local middle school.
They were not there long before an opportunity presented itself in the northeast as Brent entered a pastoral residency program just north of Boston.
The residency program, Brent explained, was designed to “broadly develop all areas of ministry.”
After traveling for much of his adult life, Brent is glad to back in his hometown.
“There is a sweetness to coming back to Tifton, being able to equip the students, get them to experience God, and see all of the ways God is moving outside of our small scope,” Brent said.
Tifton First Senior Pastor Chip Grantham is excited to have Brent join the staff.
“He’s been involved in international missions, education and ministry,” said Chip.
“He brings with him all these resources he has acquired along the way, and he has a passion and heart for youth ministry. We feel like he’s a perfect fit.
“He is somebody who sees what is great about Tifton and wants to be here long term. God has opened too many doors for them to be here for this to not be a God thing.”
Brent is looking forward to getting to work with the youth and volunteers and seeing fruits of his labor.
“I’d like to see [our youth] experience a life with Jesus, and develop a way to begin a relationship with Jesus,” Brent continued. “I want to see them grow to become like Jesus and do the things that Jesus did.
“I want to shape a generation of believers.”
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