Get TO KNOW AJ HUCKO
AJ Hucko is the elevation online youth director. In the following interview, you can get to know more about him.
What was your favourite song when you were a teen?
A: All the small things by Blink 182
What is your favourite movie?
A: Harry Potter the crimes of Grindelwald
How did you begin in ministry and how did you become part of the youth ministry?
A: My mom was the first woman ordained to become a female pastor in my church. I always admired my mom as a pastor but never wanted to go into ministry. I started by majoring in sports marketing for a year and then I said to God, “I will do what you want me to do”, so I got a degree in religion and ministry. Then I became a youth pastor for 4 years. Later I wanted to switch things up and was a police officer for 7 years. Finally, I applied at elevation church to be an eGroup leader and at leader advance, Rebekah Somers told me that I would be the director of the elevation online youth and I said, yes. I encourage everyone reading this just say yes, make yourself available to God and he will position you where he wants you to be.
What were your goals going into youth ministry and do you think that you have achieved them?
A: My goals are to raise as many leaders to pour into students. Have I reached that yet no because there are still students out there that have not heard the word of God. I will keep going until God tells me otherwise.
What fuels your passion to be involved with the youth?
A: Seeing students progressing in their walk in faith and also receiving God as their saviour.
Was there a moment when you felt like giving up?
A: Yes, I felt unqualified had insecurities and also doubted my calling but I surrounded myself with people that encouraged me, for example, my wife Megan Hucko.
What is the most challenging thing about being involved in a youth ministry?
A: First encouraging students to see themselves as God sees them. Secondly, the time difference can be a problem as well.
What would you tell students who do not see themselves the way God sees them?
A: Many times in the bible God uses people that made mistakes. So do not disqualify yourself just because you make mistakes. Thru Christ, we are qualified to do great things.
Was there anyone at any point that didn’t support your decision of becoming a youth leader?
A: Yes, my wife’s family did not really understand what I was doing and also people around me thought it was weird working with teenagers.
Since you are involved with the youth, does being involved influence how you raise your children?
A: Yes, one hundred per cent. I have a six-year-old boy named Clark and a 4-month-old baby named Peyton. Seeing what different students are walking through definitely influence the way I raise my children.
What is your favourite memory while doing youth ministry?
A: Leading a whole eGroup into receiving God as their lord and saviour.
Do you have any advice for youth hoping to become leaders in youth ministry one day?
A: First learn to lead yourself. Secondly, be consistence and lastly have character.
