The Child Discipleship Podcast

Pastor and author, Catherine Hwang-Jin, gives powerful wisdom on how any Children’s ministry leader can use their time with kids for producing lasting discipleship to Jesus. She will also be one of Awana’s Faculty members at our Child Discipleship Forum in September! SHOW NOTES Learn more about Catherine Hwang-Jin’s and all our 2022 faculty members! SUBSCRIBE wherever you get you...

Multi-talented artist and 2022 Child Discipleship Forum faculty member, Andrew Peterson, explains how God has used all of his creativity to point people back to Jesus. SHOW NOTES Learn more about Andrew’s ministries Save your seat, and See Andrew at the Child Discipleship Forum! SUBSCRIBE wherever you get your podcasts today so you never miss an episode.  You can leave a voicemail for the sh...

Author, speaker, and 2022 Child Discipleship Forum faculty Member, Trillia Newbell, imparts on us the importance of helping form a child’s identity in Christ as soon as possible. SHOW NOTES Get copies of Trillia’s books and learn more about Trillia and her ministry. Save your seat, and See Trillia at the Child Discipleship Forum! SUBSCRIBE wherever you get your podcasts today so you ne...

Author, musician, and public speaker, Andy Crouch, is interviewed by Ross Cochran and Michael Handler on how to engage with technology, culture, and faith for the next generation. SHOW NOTES Learn more about Andy’s ministry. SUBSCRIBE wherever you get your podcasts today so you never miss an episode.  You can leave a voicemail for the show at 630-289-5353 and email the show at podcasts@awana...

Ross Cochran, Matt Markins, and Mark Campbell discuss The Barna Group’s data research on how to disciple kids of the next generation. SHOW NOTES Learn more about The Barna Group’s research SUBSCRIBE wherever you get your podcasts today so you never miss an episode.  You can leave a voicemail for the show at 630-289-5353 and email the show at podcasts@awana.org .  Watch Today’s Episode...

On a special episode of the Resilient Disciples Podcast, Melanie Hester is joined by Jenny Smith and Jared Kennedy. Jared Kennedy is a full time editor for The Gospel Coalition and the author of Keeping Your Children’s Ministry on Mission: Practical Strategies for Discipling the Next Generation (Crossway, March 2022) and The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible (New Growth, 2017). He lives in Louisville,...

Ross Cochran, Sam Luce, and Matt Markins discuss why we need to stay focused on our North Star of child discipleship in order to raise up the next generation for the Church with lasting faith.  They give practical steps for every adult to be a part of the journey. SHOW NOTES Click here for more information on Sam Luce’s ministry. SUBSCRIBE wherever you get your podcasts today so you never mi...

Phil and Diane Comer join Matt Markins, Mike Handler, and Ross Cochran for a passionate conversation about parenting and the future of the faith. We cover everything from the value of intentional parenting to the cultural forces of today. Thanks for listening! SHOW NOTES This conversation originally aired on March 10th, 2022 Learn more about Phil and Diane and their ministry, Intentional Parents I...

Dr. George Barna and Matt Markins join Ross Cochran to discuss how today’s generation of kids are facing unprecedented circumstances, and how we can respond to help make resilient disciples. SHOW NOTES This conversation originally aired on June 22, 2021. Check out Dr. George Barna’s book,  Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions,  that was referenced during the conversation. Follow the late...

Pastor of Church of the City New York, Jon Tyson, is interviewed by President and CEO of Awana, Matt Markins, about discipling kids during this cultural moment.  They take a critical look at how to create environments for kids to develop a real relationship with Jesus, and find a faith that this world can’t take away. Thanks for listening! SHOW NOTES More info on Church of the City New York...

Awana is currently reaching 2.5 million kids in Africa every week with the Gospel. The Lord has made it possible for Stephen Maphosah and his team to create a pathway for discipleship for millions more kids, but they can’t do it without you. Stephen joined Ross Cochran to share how one conversation has led to millions of kids being reached in Africa, and how child disciple makers like you all arou...

Keith Robinson, Senior Associate at the Slingshot Group, shares his perspective and experience on how the church has changed its relationship with technology. Keith and Ross Cochran also focus on the impact technology has on kids, and what adults can do to help prepare kids for the needs of tomorrow’s digital discipleship. SHOW NOTES Learn more about Keith and The Slingshot Group SUBSCRIBE w...

Phil and Diane Comer join Matt Markins, Mike Handler, and Ross Cochran for a passionate conversation about parenting and the future of the faith. We cover everything from the value of intentional parenting to the cultural forces of today. Thanks for listening! SHOW NOTES Learn more about Phil and Diane and their ministry, Intentional Parents International Get your copy of Raising Passionate Jesus...

Kellie Bartley and Jenny Smith joined Ross Cochran to reflect on how we can talk to kids in our community about the War in Ukraine. SHOW NOTES Read the article referenced during the conversation, written by Jenny and Kellie. Support our ministry in Ukraine here. Stay up to date on any updates and prayer requests SUBSCRIBE wherever you get your podcasts today so you never miss an episode. You can l...

Mitchell “Street Hymns” West returned to the podcast to discuss his ministry and how he has seen child discipleship happen far outside the realm of the church building or the family living room. SHOW NOTES Learn more about Mitchell “Street Hymns” West and his ministry. SUBSCRIBE wherever you get your podcasts today so you never miss an episode.  You can leave a voicemail fo...

Dr. Denise Muir Kjesbo returns to the podcast to share perspective on the unique needs and opportunities of family discipleship during this time. She also shares practical insights into the the important role parents and grandparents and faith friends play in relationship with the church leaders who want to help disciple their kids. SHOW NOTES Check out the Resilient Documentary preview mentioned...

Cynthia Dixson from Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship joined Ross Cochran at the 2021 Child Discipleship Forum to stress the importance of listening to the kids we are discipling, and how church leaders can connect with families who may seem hard to reach. SHOW NOTES Get your tickets for the 2022 Child Discipleship Forum! SUBSCRIBE wherever you get your podcasts today so you never miss an episode. You ca...

Senior Pastor Shawn Thornton returns to the podcast to share how his life was impacted by loving caring adults, and how that fuels his passion for child discipleship today. SHOW NOTES Learn more about Shawn Thornton and Calvary Westlake Church in California. Get your copy of Shawn’s book, All But Normal: Life on Victory Road. Get your copy of Resilient: Child Discipleship and the Fearless Fu...

Matt Markins and Mike Handler share how they have seen child discipleship lived out in the lives of their own kids, the kids in their communities, and the Awana ministry. Child discipleship happens everywhere, not just in church hallways and in homes! SHOW NOTES Get your tickets today to the 2022 Child Discipleship Forum. SUBSCRIBE wherever you get your podcasts today so you never miss an episode....

Cindy Bultema, Executive Director for Girls GEMS Club, joins Ross Cochran to share her own discipleship story and how that fuels her passion for reaching girls everywhere with the hope of the Gospel. SHOW NOTES Learn more about Cindy and GEMS Girls Club. Learn more about the 2022 Child Discipleship Forum, which will feature Cindy as part of the Faculty. SUBSCRIBE wherever you get your podcasts tod...

Jeff Dalrymple, Executive Director of the Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention (ECAP) returns to the podcast to discuss the critically important work of protecting our kids from abuse. He and Ross Cochran are joined by Sally Wagenmaker ESQ from the ECAP team as well as Awana Missionary Andrea Perkins. SHOW NOTES Learn more about the Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention. Take the Free Child...

Tammy Daughtry is the founder of Co-Parenting International, an organization launched in 2003 to help divorced parents raise healthy kids. She is a national author of “Co-parenting Works! Helping Your Children Thrive After Divorce” (HarperCollins 2011). Tammy and Ross Cochran discuss the importance of discipling a child who is being impacted by divorce and Tammy shares lots of practical ideas that...

Gina Spivey, Pastor of Special Abilities at Calvary Community Church, returns to the podcast to discuss how Covid-19 has impacted the families she serves and how the presence of a loving caring adult can make a difference in the life of a child and their family. Gina and Ross Cochran also discuss how and why we need to make the Gospel accessible to everyone while not “programming it to death...

Dr. Rebecca McLaughlin joined Ross Cochran to discuss her latest book, 10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask and Answer about Christianity, as well as to discuss how teens are navigating their world today. SHOW NOTES Get a copy of all of Rebecca McLaughlin’s books . SUBSCRIBE wherever you get your podcasts today so you never miss an episode.  You can leave a voicemail for the show at 630-289-53...

Marlon Washington is the Youth Pastor at Chicago Hope Church on the West Side of Chicago. Marlon shares how he has seen resilient discipleship play out in his community, and how God has provided more than Marlon ever thought possible. SHOW NOTES Learn more about the band, Made To Be, and listen to them on Spotify , Apple Music , and wherever you listen to music! SUBSCRIBE wherever you get your pod...