The Fusion High School Director Search Committee and Board of Elders are delighted to announce that Craig John Ungethiem will join the Centerpointe staff on March 15.
Craig brings an excellent blend of experience and education to this new call as Director of Fusion High School Ministries. He is moving from Indiana, as did our Ignition Middle School Director, Jenni Festa. He shares her passion for the Indianapolis Colts.
He spent the past four years as youth pastor at Suburban Bible Church in Highland. He is passionate about working with students and teaching God’s word to them.
“I know I am called to full-time youth ministry and eagerly look forward to see where the Lord leads me,” Craig told the committee.
Trish Quinn, search team member, wrote, “I was instantly impressed by his confidence and obvious enthusiasm and commitment to youth ministry. I also loved his energy. He is going to be a fantastic role model for our youth.”
Pastor Mike Barris said, “In addition to his ministry experience and skillset, Craig has a wonderful ability to relate to students in a meaningful way. He also brings to our high school ministry strong teaching skills, creative approaches to helping students growth spiritually and an ‘all-in’ attitude for Jesus. I can’t wait to see the spiritual impact he will have.”
Craig graduated from Liberty University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Religion with a specialty in Youth Ministry. He joined the Suburban Church staff in 2005 and has served there until he accepted the call to Centerpointe. One of his commitments at Suburban was to involve the youth in the mission of the church. “I made it a point to blur the lines between adults and the youth by involving the youth in the big picture of the church. I would emphasize that the youth were not the ‘future of the church’ rather they are the church right now,” he wrote.
At Suburban, he was responsible for the junior and senior high ministries, organizing and running multiple outreach events as well as mission trips, Bible studies, small groups and other activities. He recruited and trained the volunteer staff to help in the ministry. He has a rich background in mission experience, having participated in 15 short-term mission trips around the world. Craig explains, “The (mission trips) are not a statement of how great I am for doing this. Rather, it is a testimony of how God can take a sinner like me, save me, and then use me all over the world to reach his children.”
In his spare time, Craig likes to play just about any sport, but golf is his favorite. An avid sports fan, he roots for the St. Louis Cardinals in addition to the Colts.
Speaking of his goals, Craig said, “The kind of life I desire to live is the kind of life that Christ promised us in John 10:10. I truly believe that a life lived in total surrender and submission to our Lord is the most powerful way to live.”
“This powerful life will undoubtedly change hearts and minds of the people around you. That is my desire - to see the hearts of youth changed by Jesus Christ himself. What an honor it is to be high hands and feet to show the students what it means to be a follower of Christ.”
Our youth ministry program for high school students is called Fusion. Please learn more about our activities and upcoming events or click here to look at our calendar.
Winter Weekend and Fusion Ski Retreat give high school students an opportunity to get away for the weekend, have fun with friends and adult leaders, and grow in their relationship with God.