Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Fetter
Hi Brandon, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I recently joined Grace Church as their Gracestudents Director 10 months ago. Grace Church has been meeting in the Orlando area for over 20 years. I serve Gracestudents ranging from 5th – 12th grade who partake in one of our 3 different miistries inside the greater umbrella of Gracestudents.
In my younger years, I knew it was clear that I wanted to do something with my life that actually mattered. If I was only here for 80 or 90 something years… I wanted it to actually matter eteranlly. With that decision, around my junior year of Highschool, I knew I wanted to serve the Church, specificailly student ministry. I studied for 3.5 years at Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas. There I graduated with my Bachelors in Youth and Family Ministry and a Minor in Spanish.
Shortly after graduation, I found a church in Gulfport, Mississippi that was in need of a Student Pastor to oversee their 4 campuses in the Gulfcoast of Mississippi. My wife and I served there for about a year and half, until we realized just how unhealthy the church and our life was. I started looking for a new position, and sure enough found my way to Orlando, Florida and Grace Church.
Grace Church has been life changing for my wife and I. They have loved us, taken care of us, and are so impactful with every lie that they touch. It is hard to interact with Grace and be unchanged by them. Every staff and congregation member simply loves and trusts freely. Those are rare qualities today.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My life is anything but smooth. From losing friends, unhealthy jobs, and lack of clarity along the way… life is hard. That is also where the church steps in though.
When I lost my best friends from an emotionally charged fall out and distrust, the church is the one that helped me get back up to stand clean and confident on who I am. Through different moves and financial stress, the church is the place that offered us advice and wisdom as my wife and I navigate our new life together.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As the Gracestudents Director, I oversee all students that are apart of the Grace Church family. All 5th through 12th graders end up being a part of my work. Gracestudents is an umbrella ministry that has 3 specific groups under it.
Gracestudents56: 56 is where our 5th and 6th graders learn the gospel, study scripture, live life together through small groups, and begins the transition into a greater church ministry, They are no longer a kid, but as they are yet to be full teenager, 56 is the crossroads between kids minstry and student ministry. These 5th and 6th graders meet during our service times every Saturday at 4pm and Sundays at 8am, 9:20am, 11am, and 12:30pm.
Gracestudents 7-12: All 7th – 12th graders come back on Sunday night for a service of their own. Every night contains a full dinner served by our incredible hospitality team, worship once a month, an encouraging gospel filled message that I prepare, and finally a small group community that is lead by our faithful small group leaders. Sunday Nights are defined by our small groups, everyone is welcomed and has an opportunity to find their best friends at Gracestudents.
Gracestudents Life Prep: Our seniors meet twice a month on a Saturday night for our Life Prep Ministry. We believe the church is the place where Students learn about what the schools won’t teach them. I also want to be confident in that students, that when they walk across the graduation stage, anyone from Grace church is confident that the students is a faithful, mature christian… but also able to change a tire, invest finances well, able to meal prep in college, knows how to file taxes, and is willing to serve the church. Life Prep is where all of those things intersect with the church.
My day to day consists of preparring for the weekend ministry, leading the differnet volunteer teams, and spiriutally interceeding for students and families alike. The church probably best knows me for never ending energy I bring to the family, the ability to tell you exactly how it is and how I feel, and the ability to lead well through chaos and emotion.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
The Bible!
Most books by Timothy Keller, those have tended to be as stand out for me.
Purpose Driven Youth Ministry
How To Lead When You’re Not In Charge
Bob Goff Love Does
Contact Info:
- Website: https://discovergrace.com/gracestudents/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/students.dg/
- Other: https://discovergrace.com/family-ministry/
