Volunteer Youth Worker Podcast

Jeremy sits down (in person!!) with Andrew and Chris from Open Doors Canada to explore what persecution really means and why understanding it matters for all of us youth workers as we pass faith onto the next generation. Drawing from their work and research of Christians all around the world, Andrew and Chris help clarify the difference between persecution and everyday disagreement, grounding the...

In this episode, Jeremy is joined by Dr. Rob Chartrand, professor and program coordinator of Christian Ministry at Briercrest, to explore what many are beginning to notice across Canada: a growing spiritual curiosity among Gen Z. Drawing on recent research, cultural trends, and his experience forming future ministry leaders, Rob reflects on why young people are searching for meaning in a culture s...

In part two of this extended conversation, Jeremy continues his discussion with Dr. Ken Castor as they work through more real questions from volunteer youth workers. This episode focuses especially on students who don’t fit the typical youth ministry mold (think quiet students, highly scheduled students, and those who show up for reasons other than spiritual growth). Ken challenges the assumption...

Jeremy is joined by Dr. Ken Castor to continue the conversation on student leadership that began at the YWC Conference in Moncton. Drawing from decades of research and hands-on ministry experience, Ken responds to real questions from volunteer youth workers about discipling students beyond weekly programs. Over the next two episodes you’ll hear about how leadership development often happens “along...

Happy New Year!!! Ministry in 2026 won’t be about having all the answers or running perfect programs. It will be about presence. Faithfulness. Listening well. Creating safe spaces where students can encounter Jesus and discover who they are in Him. And in all of it, remember this truth: you are making an eternal difference . Some of the fruit you’ll see this year. Much of it you won’t. But none of...

Merry Christmas from all of us at the Volunteer Youth Worker Podcast! 🎄 As we celebrate the birth of Jesus we want to pause and say thank you . Week in and week out, you show up for teenagers, often behind the scenes and rarely in the spotlight. Your faithfulness, prayers, late nights, early mornings, and willingness to listen matter more than you know. In a season that can feel busy and overwhel...

In this episode, Jeremy is joined by Pia Ocenar, a Catholic youth minister with experience serving students across Canada, to talk about teaching faith with clarity, care, and depth. Pia shares her own journey back to faith and offers insight into how the Catholic tradition approaches catechesis: intentionally teaching what Christians believe, how faith is practiced, and how students are invited i...

Jeremy and Sid talk about one of the most polarizing parts of youth ministry: games . Why do we play them? Do they actually matter? And how can they go so wrong so quickly? Together, you’ll hear how games can be a powerful tool for building community, creating belonging, and developing trust between leaders and students… when they’re done with intention. From thinking about games as a means to an...

Tate, Events Leader at Camp Qwanoes and a local youth pastor, shares about why games and activities matter far more than we often realize. He shares stories from camp and youth ministry that highlight how games can build trust, create shared experiences, and open the door to deeper relationships with students. You’ll hear about the difference between games that isolate students and those that fost...

In this episode, Jeremy is joined by Greg Stier, founder of Dare 2 Share, to talk about what happens when evangelism becomes part of the culture of a youth ministry. Drawing from new research involving hundreds of youth groups around the world, Greg explains the difference between a “typical” youth group and a gospel-advancing one. What would it look like to see leaders model faith-sharing, studen...

Jeremy is joined by Steve Zacharias to explore a topic most youth workers have wrestled with: how do you have meaningful conversations with students who are anxious, shut down, or unsure how to engage? Steve draws from both personal experience and practical ministry to unpack how anxiety shows up in student behavior and how youth leaders can respond with empathy, curiosity, and calm. They talk abo...

In this episode, Jeremy sits down with Dr. Jason Burtt, sociology professor at Trinity Western University and former youth pastor, to explore the intersection of culture, discipleship, and what actually helps students grow and flourish today. From pirates and pig roasts to positive sociology and generational shifts, Jason offers insights rooted in both research and real-life youth ministry experie...

In this episode, Jeremy and Sid sit down with legendary youth ministry scholar and practitioner Dr. Chap Clark to unpack how cultural shifts have radically shaped the identity formation of today’s teenagers and what that means for youth workers today. Chap introduces the idea of “avatars” (the multiple versions of self that students present in different spaces) and explains why helping young peopl...

In this honest and heartfelt conversation, Jeremy and Sid tackle a question every youth worker will face at some point: What do I do when I’m struggling personally (whether it's emotionally, spiritually, or mentally) and I still have to lead? They explore what it means to lead with integrity while feeling emotionally off, how to understand the difference between burnout and being overwhelmed, and...

In this episode, Jeremy talks with longtime pastor, professor, and former youth leader Ian Lawson about something every youth worker eventually faces: what do you do when you’re just not feeling it? Whether it’s emotional exhaustion, spiritual discouragement, or the weight of a busy life, there are days when ministry feels heavy and it’s tempting to pull back. Ian brings wisdom from decades of lea...

In this episode, Jeremy and Sid dive into a big, practical question for youth workers: What do I do when a student shares something heavy about their family? Whether you're at camp, in a small group, or hanging out one-on-one, chances are high that a student will eventually open up about something difficult at home. Sid unpacks what your role is (and what it isn’t) when that happens. They talk abo...

In this episode, Jeremy is joined by veteran youth pastor Jonathan Kornelsen from Central Community Church in Chilliwack, BC, to unpack a question that every youth worker eventually faces: How do I care for a student whose family life is messy, broken, or confusing? Jonathan brings 20+ years of youth ministry experience into this honest, compassionate conversation about the limits and opportunitie...

Jeremy and Sid pick up where we left off last week, adding a few more ideas to help you reset your focus on what matters most. Jeremy and Sid explore: Why love for God and others is the true center of youth ministry. The vital role of anchoring students in Scripture, not just for knowledge, but to shape their affections and actions. Why your modeling of faithfulness in whatever environment you are...

In this episode, Jeremy is joined by longtime youth pastor, Alpha Youth Series co-creator, and speaker Ben Woodman for a thoughtful and practical conversation on the most important goal in youth ministry: helping students grow in their love for Jesus and their love for others. Ben shares stories and insights from over 20 years of ministry around the world, and together he and Jeremy reflect on how...

In this episode, Jeremy and Dawn sit down with 15-year-old Ashlynn from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, to talk about how volunteering in youth ministry has transformed her faith. Ashlynn’s story is a powerful reminder that young people don’t have to wait until they’re older to start leading and making a difference. Ashlynn shares honestly about the insecurities she faced as a new Christian and young lea...

In this episode, Will sits down with two remarkable student leaders—Ethan and Wren—from the Saskatoon area to talk about the spiritual discipline of witness. What started as a simple Youth Alpha club in their school has grown into a city-wide ripple effect, inspiring students across the region (and beyond) to start conversations about Jesus with their peers. They share the highs and lows of starti...

In this episode, Will sits down with Clive, a grade 12 student and youth leader at Ebenezer Church in Saskatoon, for a thoughtful and honest conversation about what it looks like to actually love and engage Scripture as a young person. Clive shares his personal journey of growing up in the church, facing doubts, and navigating the tension between science and faith. What changed everything for him?...

As part of our series on spiritual disciplines, William Dmytrow sits down with Pastor Jaidon McCusker and student leader Maximus from First Assembly Calgary to explore the spiritual practice of generosity. This conversation dives into how young people can begin to develop habits of generosity right now—with their money, time, and everyday choices. Maximus shares his personal story of how a small d...

You obviously care deeply about the discipleship of the students in your group, but what is the role of community and accountability in the midst of those relationships? University student Dayton Bracewell shares in this conversation all about his own journey from spiritual stagnation to vibrant discipline and how his understanding of the power of community and accountability has grown. The transf...

In this episode, Jeremy sits down with a remarkable group of high school students from Moncton, New Brunswick, who are helping spark a prayer movement across their city’s schools. As part of our summer series on spiritual disciplines, this conversation focuses on the power of student-led prayer and how it’s transforming lives, schools, and churches across multiple denominations. You’ll hear firsth...