Hey Parents! Podcast

In this episode of Hey Parents, Lee Taylor is joined by Johnson Ferry's Preschool Minister, Rebecca Rakestraw, as they continue the Summer Essentials series by looking at Jesus' teaching on prayer in Matthew 6. Together, they unpack the Lord's Prayer as a model for authentic conversations with God, discuss why prayer is about relationship rather than performance, and share practical ways parents c...

In this episode of Hey Parents, Lee Taylor is joined by Children’s Associate Lukas Comer to continue our Summer Essentials series by exploring one of the foundational steps of following Jesus: baptism. Together, they walk through the story of Philip and the Ethiopian official in Acts 8 and discuss what baptism is, why Jesus commands it, and how it serves as a public declaration of faith. Parents a...

In this episode of Hey Parents, Lee Taylor and Dylan Evans continue the Summer Essentials series by walking through the story of the Samaritan woman in John 4. Together, they model a simple Discovery Bible Study that families can use anywhere this summer—from the kitchen table to the beach—to help kids engage with Scripture and grow in their faith. As they explore Jesus' conversation with the Sama...

In this episode of the Hey Parents Podcast, Lee Taylor and Courtney Hall continue the Summer Essentials series by exploring Jesus’ command to love your neighbor. Looking at the parable of the Good Samaritan, they discuss how God calls His people to show compassion, mercy, and sacrificial love—even to those who are different from us or difficult to love. Through a practical Discovery Bible Study, L...

In this episode of Hey Parents, Lee Taylor and Christi Hodges continue the Summer Essentials series by walking through a Discovery Bible Study in Luke 7:36–50, where a sinful woman responds to Jesus with overwhelming love and gratitude. Together, they unpack what it truly means to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and how forgiveness transforms the way we worship and live....

In this first episode of our Summer Essentials series, Lee Taylor and Student Pastor Logan Grantham explore one of the most foundational truths of the Christian faith: repentance and faith in Jesus. Using the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19, they discuss what it means to “turn and trust,” how true life change begins with surrendering control to Christ, and why salvation is based on faith rather than...

On this episode of the Hey Parents! Podcast, Lee Taylor sits down with missions pastor Brian Fox and a special guest serving overseas to talk about multiplication—what it means to raise kids who don’t just follow Jesus, but help others follow Him too. Together they explore how everyday moments—running errands, sharing meals, practicing hospitality, and praying as a family—can become opportunities...

In this episode of Hey Parents, host Lee Taylor is joined by Brittany Finch from Johnson Ferry's Global Team and Student Ministry Resident Libby Bickford for a meaningful conversation about one of the Five Ways of Jesus: Serving. Together, they explore why serving isn’t just something we do—it’s a way of life that shapes our faith, our families, and our kids. From local opportunities like summer l...

In this episode of Hey Parents!, host Lee Taylor is joined by first-time guest Pete Buhls and Jordan Wilkes for a thoughtful and fun conversation about biblical community—the second of the Five Ways of Jesus. The episode kicks off with plenty of laughter (including a birthday reading party complete with tacos) before diving into why real, Christ-centered community matters more than ever for famili...

Hey Parents is back for Season Two! In this kickoff episode, host Lee Taylor is joined by Logan Grantham, Jack Dodge, and Dylan Evans to reset the heart behind family discipleship and remind parents and grandparents why the home is the primary place faith is formed. Drawing from Deuteronomy 6, the team talks honestly about what it means to disciple kids intentionally—not outsourcing faith to the c...

In this episode of Hey Parents, host Lee Taylor is joined by Bryan Hanson and David Anderson to wrap up our series on spiritual milestones in the lives of kids. Together, they unpack the final milestone: multiplication—raising children who don’t just follow Jesus, but also help others follow Him. They talk about what it really means to live as a Great Commission family, and how disciple making is...

In this episode of Hey Parents, Lee Taylor sits down with Children’s Missions & Disciplemaking Associate Allison Young and Special Needs Minister Lynn Wilkerson for a fun and meaningful conversation about one of the key spiritual milestones in a child’s faith journey—serving. Together, they explore why serving is essential to following Jesus, how Scripture models a life of compassion and actio...

In this inspiring episode of the Hey Parents Podcast, Lee is joined by student ministry coordinator Aly McBrayer and global missions leader Madelyn DeFore to talk about an exciting milestone in a student’s faith journey: their first mission trip. From local service opportunities to international experiences like the Dominican Republic and Poland, mission trips push students outside their comfort z...

On this episode of the Hey Parents Podcast, we’re joined by TJ Hyer and student pastor Logan Grantham to talk about a key milestone in a child’s faith journey: learning to share their faith. What does evangelism really look like for students today? How do we help our kids grow from a private belief to a confident, outward faith? Together, we look at biblical examples, discuss why sharing the gospe...

In this episode of the Hey Parents Podcast, host Lee Taylor sits down with Courtney Hall and Adrian Coetzer to talk about two of the most meaningful milestones in a believer’s life — baptism and communion. Together, they unpack what these ordinances mean, how they differ from sacraments, and why they hold such significance for kids and families growing in faith. From understanding baptism as a pub...

In this episode of the Hey Parents podcast, host Lee Taylor is joined by Christina Wekall and Clay Smith to talk about what it really means to belong to the body of Christ. Together, they unpack the difference between simply attending church and truly committing to a church family—why belonging matters for both adults and kids, and how that commitment helps faith take root and grow. They share bib...

Welcome back to the Hey Parents podcast! Host Lee Taylor is joined by High School Pastor Dylan Evans and Life Group Leader Heather Taylor to discuss the crucial milestone after your child puts their faith in Jesus: the importance of Biblical Community. Christianity is a team sport, and this episode focuses on why consistent attendance in a Life Group or Small Group is vital for your child's spirit...

In this episode of the Hey Parents podcast, host Lee Taylor talks about one of the most significant moments in a child’s spiritual journey—their first decision to follow Christ. Lee unpacks how parents can recognize when their child is ready to make that decision, how to have meaningful conversations about salvation, and how to walk alongside them with confidence and grace. The conversation explor...

In this episode of the Hey Parents podcast, hosts Lee Taylor, Jasmine Trotter, and Jack Dodge explore the concept of stewardship and generosity as a crucial spiritual milestone for families. Inspired by the biblical story of the Israelites stacking stones to remember God’s faithfulness, the team discusses how to help children develop their own personal faith. They dive into what it means to be a g...

On this episode of the Hey Parents! Podcast, host Lee Taylor and his guests, Allison Young and Jordan Wilkes, explore key spiritual milestones in a child's life. They dive into the significance of the First Grade Bible Presentation, a church event that marks a pivotal moment in a child's faith journey. The conversation emphasizes that this isn't just a ceremony but a vital tool for family disciple...

In this episode of the Hey Parents podcast, host Lee Taylor is joined by children’s minister Christi Hodges and ministry partner Mary Schafer to talk about the foundation of family discipleship. Together, they unpack what it means for parents to be the primary disciple makers in their homes and why the church’s role is to equip and support families in that calling. The conversation introduces the...

In this episode, Lee Taylor is joined by longtime student ministry leader Chris Trent to talk about family discipleship and how parents can better understand youth culture. Together, they share practical tools, biblical wisdom, and encouragement for walking with the next generation as they discover truth, belonging, and purpose in Jesus. Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, located just north of Atlanta,...

In part two of this Hey Parents! Podcast episode, Lee Taylor continues the conversation with college students who spent their summer serving overseas in Poland and Japan. Building on the stories shared in part one, you’ll hear more moments of life transformation, cultural connection, and God’s faithfulness in unexpected places. From revisiting friendships formed on high school mission trips to wit...

In this two-part episode of the Hey Parents Podcast, Lee Taylor hosts a special conversation with a group of remarkable college students who spent their summer serving overseas. You’ll hear powerful stories of life transformation, cultural insights, and how student ministry is sparking joy and purpose in places where religion often lacks relationship. From coffee shop Bible studies and tearful pra...

Lee Taylor is joined by Bobby Smith and Sarah Blackstone to reflect on a powerful student choir mission trip to Poland. For over two decades, students have traveled overseas to share the gospel through music, sports, and everyday conversation, but this year stood out. Hear how students stepped up with boldness, left their phones behind, and engaged deeply with Polish peers in public schools, conce...