Grow Your Ministry Podcast

Welcome to Episode 29 of the Grow Your Ministry Podcast with Damean Easter.  In this episode, Damean talks about one of the most uncomfortable parts of ministry—fundraising. Asking for money can feel awkward, stressful, and even discouraging. But the reality is that events, camps, trips, and meaningful ministry experiences all require resources. Damean walks through how fundraising doesn’t have to...

Welcome to Episode 28 of the Grow Your Ministry Podcast with Damean Easter . In this episode, Damean talks about one of the most familiar tensions in ministry — balancing what’s important with what feels urgent. Every week brings responsibilities, unexpected problems, relationships to nurture, and vision to lead. And while the urgent moments aren’t going away, they don’t have to derail your entire...

Welcome to Episode 27 of the Grow Your Ministry Podcast with Danny Sugimoto. In this episode, Danny explores how families in your ministry can celebrate Advent in simple, meaningful, and spiritually formative ways. Christmas isn’t just a day — it’s a season full of anticipation, reflection, and connection. We'll walk through how families can serve together, study Scripture, pray intentionally, tel...

Welcome to Episode 26 of the Grow Your Ministry Podcast with Linda Moon . When you started in ministry, it was because you wanted to help kids and teenagers grow in their faith. But growth doesn’t just happen — it’s shaped by habits, opportunities, and experiences that help kids and students discover who God made them to be. In this episode, Linda walks through how to help your group use their uni...

Welcome to Episode 25 of the Grow Your Ministry Podcast with Danny Sugimoto .  In this episode, Danny talks about one of the biggest challenges every ministry leader faces — finding and keeping great volunteers. From leading games and small groups to setting up and tearing down every week, volunteers make ministry possible. But creating a team that’s motivated, equipped, and excited to serve takes...

Welcome to episode 24 of the Grow Your Ministry Podcast with  Jason Sivewright.  If you’ve been following Jesus for a while, you probably have a few spiritual habits that help you grow — things like reading the Bible, praying, or going to church. But for kids and teenagers, those ideas don’t always come naturally. They’re still figuring out what faith looks like in their everyday lives. In this ep...

Welcome to episode 23 of the Grow Your Ministry Podcast with Danny Sugimoto.  In kids and youth ministry, procrastination can sneak up on us fast. Maybe you waited too long to plan a big event, realized mid-year you haven’t emailed parents in ages, or found yourself frantically Googling for a no-prep lesson on Saturday night. We’ve all been there — but it doesn’t have to be that way. In this episo...

Welcome to episode 22 of the Grow Your Ministry Podcast with Jason Sivewright.  In this episode, Jason dives into one of the most practical (and fun) parts of kids and youth ministry: games. Games aren’t just a way to burn energy. They help kids and teenagers build friendships, connect with leaders, and create memories together. But designing great games takes more than grabbing the first idea tha...

Welcome to Episode 21 of the Grow Your Ministry Podcast with Danny Sugimoto.  In this episode, we talk about one of the most practical ways you can build trust with families in your ministry: creating a Parent Handbook. Parents want to know what your ministry is about, how you disciple kids and teenagers, and what they can expect from you. A well-prepared Parent Handbook not only answers their que...

Welcome to episode 20 of the Grow Your Ministry Podcast with Brooklyn Lindsey.  In this episode, Brooklyn unpacks why one-on-one time with your volunteers is one of the most powerful investments you can make in your ministry. These intentional conversations help you encourage, equip, and even troubleshoot with your team in a way that group meetings can’t. You’ll hear about the four main types of v...

Welcome to Episode 19 of the Grow Your Ministry Podcast with Brooklyn Lindsey.  In this episode, Brooklyn shares what to do when attendance in your ministry isn’t where you hoped it would be. Whether it’s a random dip or a trend that’s got you worried, Brooklyn offers practical and honest steps to help you respond without panicking. You’ll walk away with encouragement, a new way to evaluate what’s...

Welcome to Episode 18 of the Grow Your Ministry Podcast with Danny Sugimoto. In this episode, Danny walks through one of the simplest and most impactful events you can host for families in your ministry—a Parent and Small Group Leader Breakfast. If you’ve ever struggled to get parents more involved or wanted to show them what small group leaders are really about, this is an event you’ll want to tr...

Welcome to episode 17 of the Grow Your Ministry Podcast with Danny Sugimoto. In this episode, Danny shares how you can better support kids and teenagers when they experience a crisis. Whether it’s something serious like abuse or something that feels serious to them (like a falling out with a friend), crises show up in all kinds of ways, and it’s our job to be ready. From recognizing what counts as...

Welcome to Episode 16 of the Grow Your Ministry Podcast with Danny Sugimoto!  In this episode, Danny shares four essential tips to help small group leaders feel more confident and equipped—whether they’re leading kids, teenagers, or both. Being a small group leader is a big deal, but it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. From understanding your role to building spiritual habits with your group, th...

Welcome to Episode 15 of the Grow Your Ministry Podcast with Brooklyn Lindsey!  In this episode, Brooklyn shares how to market your church events beyond the basics. Getting the word out is critical for a great turnout, but traditional methods like flyers and church announcements can only go so far. By using inclusive language, leveraging digital tools, and engaging with local businesses, you can c...

Welcome to Episode 14 of the Grow Your Ministry Podcast with Dr. Linda Moon!  In this episode, Dr. Linda Moon explores how we can make Scripture memorization an engaging and meaningful experience for kids. From simple verses like John 11:35 to creative techniques that keep kids motivated, we’re diving into practical strategies that help children internalize God’s Word in ways that stick. What We C...

Welcome to Episode 13 of the Grow Your Ministry Podcast with Danny Sugimoto, Executive Director of Product Strategy! In this episode, Danny shares how to plan parent meetings that families actually want to attend. Too often, parent meetings feel like a formality—packed with information but lacking connection. But when done right, these meetings can build trust, create opportunities for partnership...

Welcome to Episode 12 of the Grow Your Ministry Podcast with Jason Sivewright, Creative Lead!  In this episode, Jason walks through a step-by-step guide to planning ministry events that are fun, meaningful, and stress-free. Whether you’re organizing a small gathering or a large-scale event, you’ll learn how to set clear goals, create engaging themes, and manage logistics to ensure everything runs...

Welcome to Episode 11 of the Grow Your Ministry Podcast with Danny Sugimoto, Executive Director of Product Strategy!  In this episode, Danny unpacks the importance of using icebreakers to connect with kids and teenagers in small groups. Whether you’re leading a group of energetic kids or reserved teenagers, you’ll learn how to break the ice, build trust, and ease your group into meaningful convers...

Welcome to Episode 10 of the  Grow Your Ministry Podcast with Danny Sugimoto, Executive Director of Product Strategy!  In this episode, Danny walks through the 13 building blocks we use to help make teaching unforgettable and engaging. You’ll discover practical ways to help kids and teenagers grow spiritually while keeping them engaged and having fun. What We Cover:  Why we should think strategica...

Welcome to Episode 9 of the Grow Your Ministry Podcast with Jason Sivewright, Creative Lead! In this episode, Jason unpacks one of the most important (but often overlooked) parts of hosting an event: the debrief . You’ve pulled off a successful event, taken a nap, and now it’s time to figure out… what would we do differently next time? Jason shares five essential questions to help you and your tea...

Welcome to Episode 8 of the Grow Your Ministry Podcast with Danny Sugimoto, Executive Director of Product Strategy!  In this episode, Danny unpacks the essentials of taking your ministry online and shares practical strategies for engaging kids, teenagers, and families in a digital space. With these tips and formats, you’ll discover how to create meaningful online connections while maintaining the...

Welcome to Episode 7 of the Grow Your Ministry Podcast with Elle Campbell, co-founder of Stuff You Can Use! In this episode, Elle unpacks the essentials of family ministry and shares a strategic framework for engaging and supporting parents. With this Annual Family Strategy, you’ll learn how to invest in families consistently throughout the year, helping you build stronger relationships and foster...

Welcome to Episode 6 of the Grow Your Ministry Podcast with Elle Campbell, co-founder of Stuff You Can Use! In this episode, Elle dives into one of the biggest challenges in ministry: building and sustaining a strong volunteer team. Elle shares the strategies you need to create a volunteer culture that’s inviting and fulfilling, helping you not just recruit but retain volunteers all year long. Wha...

Welcome to Episode 5 of the Grow Your Ministry Podcast with Elle Campbell, co-founder of Stuff You Can Use! In this episode, Elle breaks down a strategic approach to planning ministry events that make a big impact without overwhelming your team or families. What We Cover: Why it’s important to simplify your event strategy for greater impact. How to plan key events each year that help kids and teen...