Student Ministry Conversations

In light of the events of the past two years; the question has to be asked “What is the future of Student Ministry?”  Come join us as Russell sits down with Brock Morgan as he talks about what the future holds for Student Ministry and how we can best prepare for what’s coming.  You can listen to this episode in a variety of formats including Google Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, R...

Having a method and plan to the madness that is student ministry can be taxing sometimes, but how can we work to have a plan of action that will work long before we reach the growth that we are expecting? Come join us as Brent sits down with Kurt Libby as he talks about infrastructure and how it has incredible impact in student ministry.  You can listen to this episode in a variety of formats...

We all know the end goal when it comes to teaching people about Jesus and having a real relationship with Him, but are we telling the story in a captivating way that will draw students back again and again to learn more about Him? Come join us as Russell sits down with Jonathan Germany as he talks about the art of storytelling and how it has incredible impact in student ministry.  You can lis...

While our primary job is building a ministry that brings students closer to Jesus through equipping leaders and students to bring the Gospel, we are also working alongside a staff that at minimum contains a Senior Pastor and a secretary. What are you doing to step into the vision that has already been given to the staff that you are working with? Come join us as Brent sits down with Luke Gajary as...

This past year has been one that we will all remember for a long time due to so many things going on with the world, but what can we learn from it? Join the conversation this week as Russell sits down with Chad McElveen as they talk about what can be learned and implemented from the past year. You can listen to this episode in a variety of formats including Google Podcasts , Spotify , Pocket Casts...

While we do our best to keep relationships strong with our students in the ministry, statistics have shown that a significant number of students drop away from church and leave their personal faith journeys during their time under their parent's roof. How do we combat this drop effectively as ministers and how do we continue relationships with our students after they leave for their next step in l...

Worship is an integral part of the Christian faith and it's one of our responsibilities to foster a spirit of worship. What happens when we aren't talented in leading worship? How do we get students involved in worship? How can we use what resources we do have to incorporate worship into our weekly gatherings as Youth Pastors? Join the conversation this week as Russell sits down with Melissa Glave...

Ministry is tough. Especially after the weight of the world that all of us have felt over the past few years. What are you doing to take care of the students in your group? Are you addressing mental health and protecting the students by discussing their pain and insecurities?  What about yourself? Stephen Gehring who is a student pastor at First Baptist Church in Graham, Texas joins the podca...

While we all use this skill 1-2 times a week (at least), it's something we can all get better at: Speaking to Students. Join Russell as he interviews Kate Garnes who travels and speaks to students all over. She was employed with Disney for over 10 years, hosts two podcasts (listed below) and is the author of the book "Mixtape: How To Stop Listening To The Recordings Of Your Past. You can listen to...

Student Leadership. It’s something that we all agree holds value in a student ministry but how do we start it? What needs to be in place for it to run successfully? Who do you select to be on your team of student leaders? Daniel Acton who is a Student Pastor at Fairhaven Church in Hudsonville, Michigan. He joins the podcast to talk about Student Leadership. Why it’s important and what value it can...

Welcome to Episode 002 of the Podcast. In this Episode Russell has a conversation with Emily Ferrell, who is the assistant director of Camp Challenge in Bedford, Indiana. She joins the podcast to talk about everything from the ins and outs of running a camp, how she is discerning her call to ministry, navigating covid restrictions, and why church camp really does change lives. She also shares some...

Most of us have been there. The big youth pastor conference. The lights, the sounds, the awesome band, the big name speakers that attend. They definitely have their place in the foundation and evolution of Student Ministry, but it's the conversations that happen AFTER the conference ends for the night that revolutionize the structure and practice of Student Ministry. Welcome to Episode 001 of the...