Kids Ministry Circle Podcast

It is true that you can play and learn about the story of God at the same time! Today's episode is with my friend Vicky, the creator of the Upside Down Kingdom Game, a board game designed to help families learn more about God and His Kingdom together! This is a perfect resource to give out families and play in your classrooms on a Sunday morning. Mentioned Resources: Upside Down Kingdom Game B...

In today's episode I chat with Dr. Shelly Melia to talk about her brand-new book on Generation Alpha — the kids currently filling your children's ministry rooms. From hyper-individualism to truth formation to parent discipleship, this conversation is packed with research-backed insight and practical encouragement for kids and family ministry leaders. If you've ever felt behind or overw...

Chris Ammen is back on the podcast and this time he's talking about his new book, How to Build a Better Children's Ministry — a resource born out of 15+ years of kids ministry experience and a whole lot of trial, error, and hard-won wisdom. Resources mentioned: Kids Ministry Circle Coaching Bundle How to Build a Better Children's Ministry by Chris Ammen Raising Disciples at Home by Chris Ammen Kal...

Summer in kids' ministry is unlike any other season — full of VBS, camp, new team building, and big energy. But if you run hard all summer long, you'll hit the Fall completely empty. In this episode, I share five practical strategies to help you pace yourself, protect your people, and actually enjoy the summer season in ministry. Resourced Mentioned -Kids Ministry Roundtable Membership -3-...

What if the best VBS your neighborhood kids ever attended happened in someone's backyard? In today's episode, I chat with Madison Roberts, founder of Backyard VBS — a free, adaptable, homegrown curriculum that's spreading neighborhood by neighborhood across the country. Madison shares how it started with an 18-month-old and a 3-month-old in tow, why she believes any mom can do this, an...

What does it look like to lead with faithfulness, longevity, and joy in kids and family ministry? In this conversation, Lauren sits down with Kendra Fleming — Executive Director of Family Ministry at North Point Ministries — for an honest, practical, and deeply encouraging conversation about 25 years of ministry leadership. From building volunteer pipelines to navigating criticism, Kendra brings w...

In this episode, I talk with Danielle Wilkins from Next Wave Staffing, a boutique ministry staffing company helping churches and next-gen candidates find the right fit. Danielle brings years of experience in kids ministry leadership and staffing, and she does not hold back on the things people are afraid to talk about: salary, generational tension in hiring, how to ask hard questions in an intervi...

In this episode, I chat with Sean Sweet, founder of Preteen Ministry HQ and author of Let Go and Run Beside, to talk about one of the most overlooked age groups in the local church — preteens. Sean brings decades of experience as both a public school teacher and children's pastor to help ministry leaders understand who preteens really are, why this season is so spiritually critical, and what chur...

Are the stories kids are hearing actually shaping who they believe they are? In this episode, I chat with Matt Markins — President & CEO of Awana and author of The Story We Tell Our Children: Gospel Formation in a World of Counterfeit Imitation — to talk about one of the most pressing issues facing kids ministry today. What is it that the church does that tends to form lasting faith in kids? T...

I am so excited to introduce you to a brand new curriculum, The Park! I met this team at the Children's Pastors Conference and I loved learning more about this curriculum and the heart behind the mission and vision. Resources Mentioned The Park Curriculum The Kids Ministry Circle Summit

In this episode, I chat with Kyle Worley — pastor, author, and podcast host — to talk about his new children's book The Dragon Slayer and His Super Special Suit , the doctrine of union with Christ, and what deep discipleship actually looks like for kids, volunteers, and families. Resources mentioned: The Dragon Slayer and His Super Special Suit Deep Discipleship Curriculum More from Kyle Worle...

In this episode, I am joined by a Abbey Wedgeworth. Abbey is a mom, wife, writer, chief encourager of moms. She has a new book out this week called, Help! I'm Ruining my Kids and it is centered around how the Gospel can transform motherhood. We talk about how the local church can be a safe place for parents who are struggling and how we can partner well without bringing shame. This is the book...

In this episode I am joined by Irene Tucker, a staff and writer at Axis. Together we explore how parents, ministry leaders, and volunteers can better disciple the next generation by leaning into culture rather than shying away from it. We discuss the difference between Gen Z and Gen Alpha, why critical thinking and apologetics matter more than ever for young kids, and why the foundation of any mea...

It was a joy to have Abby Howard on the podcast! Abby is the passion behind @theaccessiblegospel on Instagram & TikTok and through her story, her career, and her passion she is out to help churches everywhere make the Gospel accessible to all kids and families. In this episode we talk specifically about starting and leading a disability ministry within the kids ministry. Her passion and humili...

In this episode, I invite my friend Jared Kennedy to join me to talk about his latest Toddler & Preschool curriculum with New Growth Press. We explore the significance of play in learning, creating a safe and engaging environment for children, and the role of memory in early childhood education. Jared emphasizes the need for encouraging volunteers, casting vision for toddler and preschool mini...

Today on the podcast, I am answering one of my most talked about questions in the Kids Ministry Circle Cohort & Kids Ministry Circle Coaching: How to build a Kids Ministry leadership team. Listen to my 6 key steps to begin the process of building a lead team and how I have done this in a handful of different church environments. Resources Mentioned: Lead Team Org Chart

In today's conversation, I invited my friend, Kris Buckman to help all of us think about safety in a whole new way. We discuss the importance of safety protocols in church environments, particularly focusing on child protection and compliance. They share personal experiences related to church safety, the challenges of accountability, and the necessity of proper training for volunteers. Resourc...

Have you ever been curious about getting head knowledge about God to move to heart transformation from God? My guest today is David Rausch, the founder of GO! Curriculum. In this episode, we talk about David's new book, Feeding Faith: A Children's Ministry Recipe for Rescuing a Lost Generation and so much more! This is definitely a note taking episode that you are going to love! Resources...

This is our last episode in this 4-part series all about raising up the next generation of leaders. My hope is that throughout these 4 episodes, we will begin to answer these 3 questions: -Why is it so hard to find people to work on kids ministry staff? -How can we raise up the next generation of leaders? -How can we better disciple Gen Z?  Today's episode is with Colin Provart. Colin is the D...

It is week 3 of our podcast series all about raising up the next generation of leaders. My hope is that throughout these 4 episodes, we will begin to answer these 3 questions: ​ Why is it so hard to find people to work on kids ministry staff ​ How can we raise up the next generation of leaders? ​ How can we better disciple Gen Z?  My guest today is Julie Puckett. Julie is the Central Kids Pastor a...

It is week 2 of our podcast series all about raising up the next generation of leaders. My hope is that throughout these 4 episodes, we will begin to answer these 3 questions: 1. Why is it so hard to find people to work on kids ministry staff? 2. How can we raise up the next generation of leaders? 3. How can we better disciple Gen Z?  Today's guest is Vicki Abbot. Vicki is the Director of Kids...

We are jumping into a new podcast series! These next four weeks will be all about raising up the next generation of leaders. My hope is that throughout these 4 episodes, we will begin to answer these 3 questions: 1. Why is it so hard to find people to work on kids ministry staff? 2. How can we raise up the next generation of leaders? 3. How can we better disciple Gen Z?  These episodes are both bi...

Welcome back to the Kids Ministry Circle Podcast and hello 2026! We are kicking off another year of podcasting with 6 predictions for 2026. These are 6 things I am seeing in the Kids Ministry world that I think (& hope) we will see more of in 2026. I'd love to know what you think! Don't miss all that we have planned at Kids Ministry Circle for the new year! Kids Ministry Circle Cohort...

I am so excited to welcome Alisha & Nicole from The Grove Church in Liberty Hill, TX. We are pulling back the curtain on how they plan their annual year and how they make sure everything we do aligns with their greater mission & vision. Plus, you are all going to love their Backyard Bible Club Summer event. Resources Mentioned: Spring Cohort 2025 1-on-1 Coaching

The end of the year always gives us an opportunity for self-reflection. In this episode, I share 3 mistakes or missed opportunities from this season of planting a church. Don't look back to be filled with shame, look back so you can grow and learn! I hope this encourages you to also take time this season to look back and plan to grow in 2026! Resources mentioned: Spring Cohort 2026 Kids Minist...