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

In this episode, I talk with Christina Teevan about special needs. Christina leads a special needs ministry in Ashland, Ohio, that is all about serving special needs families in the community and helping other churches and organizations serve them well. Christina consults, helps train volunteers, and has a lot of wisdom for parent partnerships. In this conversation, she breaks down what some of th...

In this episode, I talk with Keith Ferrin about his new book, The Expert Interviews: All About Family Ministry . We touch on some of the interviews and conversations Keith includes in the book, and then he shares highlights and common themes that came out in those conversations but weren't written about in the book. Finally, Keith talks about some of the resources he's put out all about helping ki...

In this episode, Student Minister, Jess Berryhill, shares about the special needs ministry she has built for the students at Mt. Pleasant Church . She walks through the story of how their special needs ministry started, the heart behind it, what helped it grow, and what it looks like now. We also talk about including special needs students versus separating them from the whole of student ministry,...

In this episode, I talk with Craig Cable of Group Publishing . Craig oversees the publishing of different ministry resources, and also has experience in safety and security. He is now leading an initiative church security, and helps train ministry leaders on how to create safe environments. Craig talks about common mistakes he sees churches make, best practices leaders can have in place to be proa...

In this episode, I talk with author and pastor, Chap Clark. Chap has written many books and taught extensively on how to create church that will reach the next generation. He and I have a conversation about his new book, Adoptive Church . Chap shares a lot of wisdom and practical steps churches can take to create environments where the next generation is not just taught faith, but is given a a pla...

In this episode, NextGen Pastor, Corey Ray Jones, talks about the new building and community center his church recently opened. Corey walks through how their church went about learning the needs of their community, the people they talked to, the conversations that were had, and how they leverage the community center in every way to be FOR the people of their city. Corey Ray Jones Connect with Core...

In this episode, Kenny Conley and Kevin Monahan host a panel discussion of NextGen leaders centered around the question, “ Should I stay or go? ” In ministry, we are constantly evaluating where God has us, and where he is calling us. We want to be prayerful, seek wisdom, and ask good questions in discerning this. These leaders, who have made decisions to stay and go in different seasons, share gre...

In this episode, I share a tribe conversation hosted by Ministry Boost for student ministry leaders. These leaders from all different churches talk about series planning, how they do small group leader training, and their best tips and practices for events/retreat training. Student Ministry Leaders Kevin Monahan from 12Stone Church Jeffrey Wright from 12Stone Church Blake Godbee from 12Stone Churc...

In this episode, listen in as elementary ministry leaders share what they're doing in large group time, how they recruit large group volunteers, what teaching and storytelling looks like, and how their substitute system works across all their volunteer teams. Elementary Ministry Leaders Kenny Conley from Mission Community Church Lisa Molite from Community Christian Church Jarrod Harris from Missio...

In this episode, I share a conversation between a tribe of preschool ministry leaders as they talk about curriculum prep, communication, and scheduling volunteers. Preschool Ministry Leaders Kenny Conley from MISSION Community Church Nick Blevins from Community Christian Church Erin English from Westside Family Church Kelly Stockade from Grace Hill Church Jennifer Edwards from  Northwood Church Ja...

In this episode, I talk with Family Pastor, Lisette Fraser, about what family ministry looks like in a multi-ethnic church. We talk about building a multi-ethnic family ministry, the questions and conversations surrounding that, and the kingdom perspective that drives all of us to seek out and worship with people who are different than us. Lisette also shares about their discipleship strategy, bir...

In this episode, I talk with Annette Safstrom about her book, Sustainable Children's Ministry . Annette shares Ministry Architect's findings as it pertains to budget, staffing, and volunteer norms for children's ministry and how we can always be working to grow our volunteer teams. Annette Safstrom Connect with Annette on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Email: annette.safstrom@ministryarchitects.co...

In this episode, I welcome my friend and NextGen Pastor, Kevin Monahan, back to the podcast. Kevin shares something he has created for his team and volunteers that allows everyone to be on the same page about trust, leader expectations, and what it means to win. We also talk about the courses and coaching groups he's going to be a part of with Ministry Boost this fall. Kevin Monahan Connect with K...

In this episode I talk with NextGen Pastor, Gina McClain, about building a lead small culture for kids and students. Gina talks about her experience in past churches, how she lead through the transition from Sunday school to small groups, and the lasting impact of small groups. Gina also teases the course she'll be teaching with Ministry Boost this fall all about small groups for kids and students...

In this episode, I talk with NextGen Pastor, Kelly Stockdale. Kelly and I talk about what #NextGen looks like, specifically in a small church context, but the principles of prioritizing small groups, partnering with parents, and valuing volunteers apply across the board. Kelly also shares about the course she'll be leading for preschool leaders with Ministry Boost in the fall. Kelly Stockdale Conn...

In this episode, I talk with Erin English about redefining preschool ministry. Erin walks through what preschool ministry looked like at her church in previous years, how they shifted their focus to be on relationships and the gospel, and how she helped her team and ministry make that transition. Erin English Connect with Erin on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Email: EEnglish@westsidefamilychurch....

In this episode, Eric Bryant, author of Not Like Me, talks about how we can help kids and students belong before they believe. He talks about his experience working at two churches known for reaching people far from God, Mosaic in LA with Erwin McManus and Gateway Church in Austin with John Burke . Eric Bryant Connect with Eric on Twitter , Facebook , and  Instagram Gateway Church Ministry Boost F...

In this episode, Calla Parker, from Gateway Church , shares a complete strategy and process for student mission trips. Calla works for the Missions/Global Impact team at Gateway , but has a huge passion for the next generation. In her different ministry roles, she has fostered collaboration and alignment between Global Impact and student ministries for maximum impact. Her strategy and process that...

In this episode, I talk with Gerald Fadayomi, Insideout Director at Browns Bridge Church in Atlanta, GA. Their high school ministry has over 1200 students, with 1 in 10 students in the county coming our for their Back to School Bash this year. Gerald leans into what he thinks is the key to their growing ministry. We also talk about his new book, Before You Go, and how we can help prepare high scho...

In this episode, I talk with Children's Pastor, Lindsey Whitney. Lindsey does a great job resourcing leaders and parents at her church, and she shares those resources on her blog GrowingKidsMinistry.com.  In our conversation, she walks through a lot of those resources – from Bibles for different age groups, to books and apps – and how they share those resources at her church. Lindsey Whitney Links...

In this episode, I talk with Nick Salyers about a book that he and Caleb Stevens co-authored: Collegiate: 7 Big Ideas to Make College Awesome . Using the book as a springboard for this conversation, we talk about how parents can set students up for success in college, what students can do to prepare for college, and then how church leaders can equip the students and parents in their ministries. Ni...

In this episode, I welcome back Tom Bump to the podcast. Tom recently transitioned from a small church to being the Family Life Director at one of the smaller campuses at a large multi-site church. Tom talks about the similarities and differences between small church and big church world and what both can learn from one another. He also talks about how we can lead and grow the church by investing...

In this episode, I welcome back NextGen Pastor, Kenny Conley, to the podcast ( Check out Episode 25  & Episode 67 for our previous conversations). Kenny and I talk about 3 key ministry hacks to help you accomplish more in less time and improve the quality of the ministry you offer. We also talk about his new course, 33 Ministry Hacks (details and registration can be found here ). Kenny Conley...

In this episode, I talk with Junior High Ministry Leader, Justin Herman. Justin shares the three things he believes are essential to building a successful ministry, what it looks like to develop long term strategies, and what he does to partner with parents. Justin Herman Connect with Justin on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Call or Text Justin at: 7146000354 HeyJustinHerman.com Mariner's Church |...

In this episode, I talk with North Point Ministries Middle School Director, Britt Kitchen, about how they plan their student ministry calendar-from content, to the ins and outs of events, trips, and retreats. We also break down how they approach utilizing space and facilities, and how they have made their student and office spaces multi-purpose. Britt also walks through mile markers, and how they...