Nick Blevins Family Ministry Podcast: Children | Youth | Students | NextGen

In this episode, I talk with Frank Bealer–the Executive Director of Leadership Development at  Orange , and the CEO of their new Phase Family Centers. Frank and I talk about his new book,  The Myth of Balance ,  in which he shows that you can't balance family and ministry life. However, you can pursue health in both areas. In this book, he shares the freedom you gain in overcoming the myth that yo...

In this episode, I talk with Gabe Boucher from  Worlds of Wow . Gabe and I talk about what their organization does to create irresistible environments for kids, students, and churches overall. We have a great conversation about their process, what the outcome looks like, and cost. Then, he shares some practical tips for engaging families and creating welcoming environments. Gabe Boucher Connect wi...

In this episode, I talk with Tomy Cummins of  Woodmen Valley Chapel . Tomy and I dive into what youth ministry trips look like at his church, from planning and fundraising, to details of where students are going and the mission work they are doing. He also shares what his team has done to help create a great volunteer culture, and walks through what their student programming looks like throughout...

In this episode, I talk with Will Hutcherson of NextLevel Church in Fort Meyers, FL. Will and I talk about clarifying the win for family engagement and their five-part strategy for partnering with parents. He shares a lot of practical things they have done to simplify and maximize this strategy, and what it looks like all throughout the year. Will Hutcherson Connect with Will on Facebook  |  Twitt...

In this episode, we celebrate one year of the podcast with a special Q&A episode where we answer questions you all have asked and submitted throughout the year! One Year Celebration Congratulations to  Jhark423  for winning the $50 Amazon Gift Card. Thanks for the rating and review you left on iTunes, and for listening and learning along with us! If you'd like a chance to win a copy of Carey N...

In this episode, I talk with Jeff Henderson of Gwinnett Church . Jeff and I talk about  Champion Tribes –something new he’s launching to help busy dads connect with their sons in unique and life-changing ways. If you lead in ministry, it’s an awesome way to partner with parents and help families in your community  win. And, if you're a parent, it's a phenomenal resource that helps you journey with...

In this episode, I interview Jared Massey. Jared and I talk about what children’s ministry in a small church looks like. Jared shares his definition of a small church, why he is passionate about leaders who serve in a small church context, and unique strengths and challenges they face. Whether you serve in children’s or student ministry, the principles apply across the board. Jared Massey Connect...

In this episode, I interview Brad Griffin of  Fuller Youth Institute . Brad and I talk about the book,  Growing Young , which is all about six essential strategies that help churches reach young people and create churches they love to attend. Brad and I dive into some questions about how to apply it practically, look at what churches are currently doing to apply the principles in this book, what's...

In this episode, I talk with Katie Edwards. Katie is the Junior High Pastor at  Saddleback Church  in California. She shares some great insight on how to understand middle school students, and then how we can help them understand just how much Jesus loves them. Katie walks through the specifics of what they teach, how they train leaders, and how they use what's unique about middle schoolers as the...

In this episode, I talk with one of the small group leaders from our church, Shannon Pijanowski. Shannon is a phenomenal small group leader who leads a group of 2nd graders every Sunday morning, and a group of 11th graders every Sunday night. We walk through what she does on a week-to-week basis to connect with kids and students, and how she partners with their parents. Shannon Pijanowski Connect...

In this episode, I talk with Student Pastor Justin Knowles. Justin and I have a great conversation about creative ideas for youth ministry events and programming. We also dive into what makes a great volunteer culture and he shares his 3 year plan for revamping the ministry he came into at Christ's Church . Justin Knowles Connect with Justin on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram JustinKKnowles.com Chr...

In this episode, I interview Next Gen Pastor Aaron Jack Bauer of Journey Church . We talk about leading yourself and the specifics of how Aaron takes responsibility for his own growth. Aaron also walks through what it has looked like for the Children's and Student Ministries at Journey to align as one NextGen team. Aaron Jack Bauer Connect with Aaron on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Email: aaronj...

In this episode, I interview Children’s Pastor Corinne Noble. Corinne and I have a great conversation about creating remarkable kids' worship experiences. She talks about what this looks like practically from building teams, training leaders, setting up the environment, to the nuts and bolts of choosing music and scheduling. Corinne also shares a unique idea that her team has pioneered in order to...

In this episode, I interview John Huber. We talk about the values that he and his family ministry leaders utilize, and how these values help them create a great culture. John Huber Connect with John on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Email:  jhuber@westsidefamilychurch.com Westside Family Church Links Mentioned in This Episode Good to Great  (book) – Jim Collins explores why some companies make the...

In this episode, I interview NextGen Pastor, Lenny Moore. Lenny and I have a great conversation about being intentional when it comes to raising up new leaders. We talk about how to empower leaders in our ministry to lead according to their gifts, not ours, and Lenny shares his journey of discovering the importance of investing in leaders over programs. Lenny Moore Connect with Lenny on Facebook |...

In this episode, I interview Todd Adkins of  LifeWay Leadership .  LifeWay Leadership  hosts an annual conference and has put out a free ebook on leadership pipelines for churches to help them be intentional about great leadership. Todd and I talk specifically about what a leadership pipeline is, how it is used, and the steps it takes to develop one in your ministry. Todd Adkins Connect with Todd...

In this episode, I interview NextGen Pastor, Allyson Evans, of  Life. Church . Allyson and I dive into the specifics of leadership development and what it looks like to apprentice, train, and invest in the next generation of leaders. Allyson Evans Connect with Ally on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Email: Allyson@life.church Life. Church Links Mentioned in This Episode Craig Groeschel's Leadership...

In this episode, I interview Children’s Pastor, Tom Bump, about what he’s learned throughout thirty years of ministry. We have a great conversation about how to delegate, focus on your strengths, and approach conflict. He even shares about a specific conflict he had with his senior pastor and what that journey looked like. Tom Bump Connect with Tom on Facebook and Twitter Kids Ministry Collective...

In this episode, I talk with Michael Covington of  Disciplr . We have a great conversation about the new things Disciplr is putting out this year, and he shares the revolutionary changes they are making in how you get digital children's ministry curriculum, customize it, and share it with your team. Michael Covington Connect with Michael on Facebook  and Twitter Email : michael@disciplr.com Discip...

In this episode, I talk with children’s ministry speaker, consultant, and writer, Melissa MacDonald.  She and I have a great conversation about helping kids find their place in God's story. Melissa shares how to disciple kids and teach them the Bible in a way they can understand it and apply it to their lives. Melissa MacDonald Connect with Melissa on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Christian and M...

In this episode, I interview Tom Pounder. Tom is involved in coaching and brining up new youth pastors at New Life Christian Church . He also has his own podcast and blog,  YM Sidekick . His background in youth ministry has given him substantial experience with church social media and online engagement, leading him to become the Online Campus Pastor and head of social media at New Life.  Tom and I...

In this episode, I talk with the team at  LCBC Church  in Manheim, Pennsylvania. We talk about what Multi-Site Family Ministry, and what children's and student programming look like at their various locations–from their largest campus of 6,000 to their smallest campus of a few hundred. The team walks through specific practices in their ministries and the roles they leverage to support them central...

In this episode, I interview Sam Luce. Sam and I talk about his journey leading children’s ministry and the tension between entertainment and discipleship – between making church fun and entertaining for kids versus discipling them and growing their faith. Sam Luce Connect with Sam on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram SamLuce.com Redeemer Church Links Mentioned in This Episode “Pastor Success Is Not...

In this episode, I talk with Andy Needham. Andy is part of an organization called  Greenhouse  that puts on one-day children's ministry volunteers training and a one-day youth ministry volunteers training. We walk through what he and his team have learned in doing these events and how we can take those lessons to better train and equip our own volunteers. Andy Needham Connect with Andy on Facebook...

In this episode, I talk with Corey Ray Jones about productivity and effective planning. Corey is the Lead Children's Pastor at  Southern Hills Christian Church  in Carrollton, Georgia. We walk through what a typical week looks like for him and he shares specific things he does to maximize his time and effectiveness. Corey Ray Jones Connect with Corey on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Email:  corey...