Pondo Podcast

On this episode of the Youth Ministry stream, Tark takes an opportunity to talk about the current state of student ministry; pulling ideas & key topics that were discussed with youth pastors & leaders during our weekly "Leaders Lunch" each Thursday of the summer camp season. Listen in as Tark shares 6 key principles that were frequent focal points during our weekly conversations. 1. ______...

On this episode of Camp Talk; Cody sits down to talk with Pondo's newest, full-time hire, Brittany Pierce. Brittany shares her excitement for stepping in to her new role and the expectations for the ministry ahead. Cody and Brittany also spend time recapping the events of Summer Camp and share some insight into what drives Pondo through our core values.

On this episode of Campfire Conversations, the Tarkington brothers share some of their funny, scary and awe inspiring moments they have had with animals throughout their lives.

On this episode of the Creative Stream; Makaila, Alesha and Kimberly dive into the topic of "daring to suck" in our creative efforts. So often the thing that holds us back is the perception of what others will think about what we are creating. Listen in as the ladies share their personal challenges and ways they've learned to push past the mental and spiritual barriers that often show up in our cr...

On this episode of the Youth Ministry stream, Tark sits down to have a conversation with Matt Childers and William Fountain who will be staffers here at Camp Pondo this summer. Both Matt and William are students who loved their time in each of their own student ministries. Listen in as they give unique perspectives and insight into what they believe it will take to reach students in todays world.

On this episode of Camp Talk, Cody, Dan & Becky respond to sound bites from Pondo Friends who share the impact camp has had on their lives and ministries. We want to give a BIG thank you to Neal Benson (Pastor of Coastline Bible & Week 9 speaker), RJ McCauley (Student Pastor at Magnolia Church) and Zachary Bondoc (Student Pastor at FBC Temple City) for sharing their powerful thoughts and s...

On this episode of Campfire Conversations, the Tarkington brothers dive into discussion about their favorite sports teams as they were growing up and some of the highlight moments of watching their teams win championships. On the back half of the podcast, you'll hear stories of their own playing days; from their time out in the backyard, to little league and on to being part of their high school t...

On this episode of the Creative Stream, Makaila sits down for a conversation with a special guest, Kristin Hernandez, to talk about their personal stories of loss and the creative processes that followed those difficult seasons. For even more about Kristin's journey you can check out her blog at www.sunlightindecember.com. There you can read stories, listen to her podcast and get more information...

On this bonus episode of the Pondo Podcast, we get the entire staff together for a little Q&A session. You'll hear the team answer tough hitting questions like, "Would you rather live in space or in the ocean?" and "What's your favorite musical?" Towards the end of the conversation you'll hear the Pondo staff talk about the beauty and the challenges of being part of camp ministry and what they...

On this episode of the Youth Ministry stream, Tark zooms in for an interview with his brother-in-law, Jedi Faulkner who is the Associate Student Pastor at Lakes Church in Lakeland Florida. Jedi shares his thoughts on how to balance the time, work and ministry of being someone who serves in multiple roles at a church. He also spends time talking about the adjustments he has had to make going from s...

On this episode of Camp Talk, Cody sits down with Dan and Becky to discuss Pondo's desire to connect, equip, and encourage youth leaders both here at the camp and beyond. Listen in as they explain the importance of making the extra effort to come alongside churches and their leaders; how it all came together in the past, how it happens today and the dreams for the future of investing in the real h...

On this episode of the Creative Stream, Makaila, Alesha and Kimberly share their stories of how they have used creative outlets to process their own emotional journeys. Kimberly shares an original song called, "Beautiful Storm" and Alesha shares a deeply personal story that prompted both an illustrated and written piece of art. You can find Alesha's piece at this link: https://www.instagram.com/p/...

On this episode of Campfire Conversations, Tark & Sean dive into the topic of Movies. The guys share stories of how Tark worked at a local movie theater and they discuss some specific movies that impacted their lives and connected them to God and to community. They also spit fire some of their favorite movies throughout the whole episode.

On this episode of the Youth Ministry Stream, Tark dives into a zoom conversation with Jonathan McDonald; student pastor at Calvary Church in Bellflower, California. Jonathan's journey took him from being a pesky little middle school student in the youth group to leading in that same church as their student pastor. You'll also hear some insight on how to challenge students to be generous givers, h...

On this episode of Camp Talk, Cody, Dan & Becky share some of their impressions of our Winter One Day season. The team also spends some time discussing what this year has allowed us to focus in on all while Dan wants everyone to know..... SUMMER CAMP IS ON!

On this episode, Tark and Sean discuss the topic of Nature and how they have found themselves connected to God and to the others during their experiences with the great outdoors and beyond. Also, for the first time the guys add to the conversation by sharing stories sent in by listeners.

On this episode of the creative stream, Makaila, Cody, Alesha & Kimberly talk about the importance of discovering the story that God has written into our lives. The team also walks through some very practical steps to unlock that story in you and help as you prepare to create unique ways share it with others. Presented by: The Pondo Worship Movement

On this episode, Tark sits down with his dad, Mr. Tark (Keith Tarkington) to talk about some of his keys to longevity in student ministry. Keith, who is now the Mature Adults Pastor at Summergrove Baptist in Shreveport, Louisiana was a student pastor for 37 years! His youth ministry career took place at 4 different churches in 3 different states and every stop along the way was unique. Listen in a...

On this episode of Camp Talk, Cody interviews Daniel and Brittany Pierce. Together they give a small recap of our Winter One Day events and then dive into their stories of coming to camp as junior high students, working as adult leaders with their church, to now serving alongside the Pondo Team.

Tark and Sean are joined by special guests (their parents), Keith "Lamar" Tarkington and Debbie "No Middle Name" Tarkington to have a conversation about the dynamics of their family growing up and how it has connected us to God and to the others throughout our lives.

Join Cody, Alesha, Makaila & Kimberly as they discuss different ways that creativity can connect ourselves and others to God. Presented by: the Pondo Worship Movement

Tark and Sean continue their conversation about music; shifting into what inspired them to start playing music of their own.

Cody and the Skippers talk through the meaning of "Double Portion" and the theme for the upcoming Winter One Day events

On this episode, Tark sits down with Cobie Delfs, youth pastor at Crosspointe Church in Anaheim. Cobie shares his stories about finishing college, stepping into marriage, and taking on his first full time ministry position all in the same year.

Pondo's Directors (The Skippers) talk about what they've learned about leading a camp ministry in a year with no camps. We talk about what it means to wait well and dream big.