North American Youth Congress is almost here, and NAYC 15 is chock full of anointed speakers and musicians who will be ministering in Oklahoma City in just a few short months. We’d like to you to get to know them before they preach to you and lead you in worship.

Our next interview comes from our Thursday morning general session speaker and pastor of Lakeview Pentecostal Church, Pastor Jason Huckaby.

InsideOut: If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three items would you want to have with you and why?
Jason Huckaby: 1. My Bible–it’s multi-functioning and therefore would work well as a pillow. And my Bible has rescued me many times before.
2. Pour over system for my coffee
3. And most importantly, I would take my family. I know my family is not an item, but we are a package deal.

IO: Please tell us your favorite joke.
JH: I can’t actually do that.

IO: What is the funniest moment you have had while preaching?
JH: While preaching in Fayetteville, North Carolina with Daryle and Lynita Williams, a lady’s clothing fell off on her way to the altar.

IO: Why do you feel North American Youth Congress is so important for students to attend?
JH: For me, NAYC is a representation of what began in brush arbor services and tents across America and has now become one of the largest gatherings of Christian youth across America. It’s a united force of Dainty Jewel wearing, Jade Mckenzie rocking youth with a deep love for God and a bond that goes beyond sectional and state lines.

IO: How do you mentally prepare to preach to thousands at North American Youth Congress?
JH: I don’t think you do prepare to preach to thousands. (That scares me too much). Then again, I’ve not preached to thousands, so I have little reference point. But then, how did David prepare to fight a giant? He prepared as he always did; to the best of his abilities and left the rest to God.

That’s why I am preparing to walk to the pulpit and preach as if it were a Sunday at Lakeview.

IO: What do you feel are your top two personal strengths and weaknesses and why?
JH: My strengths: 1. I love people. I think that may be the best way to sum me up.
2. I have a deep love for truth.

My weaknesses: 1. Sometimes I can talk more than I listen.
2. Diet and exercise.

IO: When and where did you receive your calling, and how did you prepare to fulfill it?
JH: In 1996 I began my journey in ministry with a very patient and faithful man named Rev. Paul Stringer. He saw something in me that was very hard to find–I’m still not sure what that was. In my college years, my youth pastor Rev. Roy Duke began to invest principles of prayer and dedication. There were endless hours spent on youth weeks and planning retreats. And that was all before I became the youth pastor under Terry Black. His mentorship and investment prepared me to follow the will of God in every aspect of my life.

Collectively, these men taught me that there is no substitute for submission, faithfulness, and spiritual disciplines.

IO: What advice do you have for someone feeling a call to any aspect of ministry? What should their next steps be?
JH: I do not want to be redundant, however I must say it again: submission, faithfulness, and spiritual disciplines. There is no substitute for relationship. The details for ministry are worked out through relationship with God.

Their next steps should be toward submission. Anointing comes through submission. Oil flows down. Be submitted.

IO: What are your long term goals for ministry and life in general, and what steps do you plan to reach those goals?
JH: My long term goals would be to partner with God and the faithful saints of Lakeview Pentecostal Church in evangelizing metro Kansas City, or more specifically the Blue Springs Community. This will be done by offering purpose, healing, and restoration.

IO: How can the students take the North American Youth Congress fire to their homes and home churches and keep it burning?
JH: I don’t think NAYC gives the fire. I believe the students come with that fire. However I do believe NAYC supplies the fuel for that fire. The fuel that will expand the flame–brighter and bigger than we’ve seen before–that in turn catches North America on fire, comes one P7, Bible study, youth week, SFC Rally, and youth convention at a time.

After nine years of youth ministry, the Huckabys evangelized for two years before The Lord directed their steps to reach the community of Blue Springs, Missouri with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Jason Huckaby is scheduled to speak Thursday, August 6, 2015 during the 11:30 a.m. general session.