Volunteer Youth Worker Podcast

Historically it’s been challenging to have various faith organizations and denominations partner together, but the Canadian Foodgrains Bank has managed to bring many together with the common goal of ending world hunger. Listen in as Pugeni and James chat about why there is still hunger, its local and global complexities, and the ways you can join the movement to end world hunger! Pugeni also share...

Summer camp has historically been a pivotal place for the spiritual development of the next generations. We know camp might look different this summer, but that doesn’t change the fact that if you have students connected to a summer ministry that you can help make that experience even better. Listen in as we chat with Deniel Sewell about the connections that should happen between school year minis...

Do you want to engage with more students? Outside of their home, the number one place students spend their time is school. But schools are often off-limits to Christian leaders… Or are they? Join Janna and Jared from InterVarsity Christian Fellowship as they share about their time in schools… even public schools!   You can access the documents that Jared mentioned by dropping your email into this...

As Christians, Jesus calls us to feed the hungry. As youth workers, we are called to disciple the next generation in the ways of Jesus. Sometimes those calls feel simple, and other times insurmountable. And oftentimes it can be challenging to process both of those calls in light of each other. Listen in as Roberta Gramlich from the Canadian Foodgrains Bank and Denise Van Wissen talk about the ways...

We genuinely believe that to be a good youth worker you need to be a student of Christ and a student of culture, and this episode is all about the ways that Christ meets us in our current culture! Join Colin Lancelot, Holly Bishu Goetz, and Austin White as they talk about the ways your youth group can view the world through Kingdom eyes and treat every person like they are made in the image of God...

We all need extra encouragement and hope in this season, and today’s episode with Laura Bronson brought us just that! She is doing phenomenal ministry in Ontario, Canada, and what better way to be encouraged than hearing about the work God is doing through Laura with students that wouldn’t necessarily show up to church!   You can follow her on instagram @laura_bronson Check out what Laura is doing...

Sometimes asking students questions can feel a bit like an awkward one-sided conversation. Other times, questions lead to faith-cementing moments that students will remember for a lifetime. So… how can you move from “What’s your favourite colour?” to “How did that change how you thought about God?” Join Spencer Conway, Kara Allison, and Kiara Moshansky as they give us practical questions to connec...

Storytimes. Unboxings. Tutorials. All things that had very different meanings a decade ago, and have now taken over student’s lives for better or for worse.    In a world that is constantly engulfed in narratives and stories, how do you help a generation tell a better story? Join Hannah Bartlett, Deniel Sewell, and Peter Yoon as they talk about leading students to tell the best story ever told!   ...

A few years ago, the Renegotiating Faith study found that young people who had someone stay in touch with them as they transitioned from high school to university to connect them to a community of faith were FOUR TIMES MORE LIKELY to stay connected to a community of faith by the end of their first year. So it clearly matters, but what does that connection look like? Join us this week with Rolf Nan...

You hear people sharing stories of breakthroughs and phenomenal faith-shifting moments with their students, and you start to think about the last time you could say the same about students in your ministry. Whether you can’t remember the last time or it was just last week, there are certain practices you can engage in that will leave a lasting impact on the next generation. Join us this week with...

We all have faith questions, and none of us have all the answers. But when students are asking deep questions, the way that you respond matters deeply.   For example, do the 10 commandments really matter anymore? Can’t you just ask for forgiveness after sinning and be free and clear? Isn’t God kind of angry in the Old Testament? Does the Bible really matter?    Join us this week with Dr. Carmen Im...

Some days it seems like everything has changed -- even the way we do ministry. But has our core mission and purpose changed? There is no doubt we are living in a unique season, but are there still questions that we should always be asking ourselves? Join us this week with Dr. Rob Blackaby, President of the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary and College, as he talks about the practices of great spi...

When a teenager discloses a traumatic part of their life it can be difficult to know how to process it and what your responsibility is as a youth worker. Listen in to today’s conversation as a police officer, social worker, counsellor, and youth pastor take time to talk through some of the most difficult parts about journeying with teenagers.  Special thanks to Jonathan Kornelsen from Central Comm...

Prayer usually falls in our lists of critical spiritual disciplines, yet it can be challenging to know how to help teenagers make it a priority. For example, what exactly are good personal prayer practices? And how should you as a youth worker really inspire your group to make those practices part of their rhythm? And are there things you should be avoiding when it comes to passing on the practice...

Sabbath is something clearly modelled in Scripture, yet it can be a challenge to understand how to apply it in today’s world. What does it actually mean to take a Sabbath? Can you encourage teens to take a Sabbath during their week and what would that look like? Can you take baby steps towards a practice of the Sabbath? You know your students are clearly needing more rest and more opportunities to...

If you follow your students on social media, you might have realized that some struggle with hypocrisy. That is, they talk and act a certain way when they are part of your ministry and then a completely different way once they walk out the door. This kind of double living can be extreme, but it can also be fairly mild. Sometimes there’s teenagers that are known for their faith while at your minist...

Personal reflection will make you a better youth worker. That’s because personal reflection will make you healthier, and healthier youth workers honestly make better youth workers.   For that reason, take some time with today’s episode to ask yourself three challenging questions.   And if you discover that the answers are more complex than you’d like, we’d love to journey with you more personally....

“The youth groups that reach the most, pray the most for the lost.”   If you and I don’t equip teenagers to lead their friends to Jesus then we’ll likely continue to see the trend of adolescent disengagement from faith. The stats are startling, but after talking to someone like Greg you realize that the future doesn’t have to be grim. It can be filled with the hope of the Gospel. But it means that...

Crossing the line of faith. Inviting Jesus into your heart. Repent and believe. Follow Jesus. There’s lots of ways that you can describe what it means to become a disciple of Jesus, but sometimes actually talking someone through those early steps of faith can be confusing. As a youth worker, you should feel confident in leading a teenager to Jesus at any point. That’s why today’s conversation with...

When you are volunteering and the person that you report to leaves their position it can create lots of challenges. But the great news is that you have the opportunity to help that transition go well with a few simple steps. No matter what the reasons for their departure, this conversation will walk you through the things you can do to make sure that great ministry continues to happen.   Jason Bal...

Merry Christmas from our team to you! As we mentioned, we are having a special giveaway draw for one set of AirPods (2nd generation). You can enter by sharing one of the following posts below. Draw will happen in January. Thanks for listening!   Instagram Post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CJJGIopryHF/   Facebook Post: https://www.facebook.com/ywcommunity/photos/a.622368524483437/3463892196997708/...

With so many mission trips, service projects, and ministry opportunities on hold, how are you able to create experiences for your teenagers that allow them to understand God’s heart for justice? How can they be taken out of their comfort zone while staying in their household bubble?   Alyssa and the team at Compassion have an idea to do just that. When they launched the True Story Curriculum ( htt...

Do you find it difficult to help teenagers make Scripture a priority in their own lives? How can you inspire them to make daily Bible reading a routine? And once they are reading, how should you guide them to process what they are reading? Access this interactive webinar to get those questions answered! Just for signing up you’ll also receive a 10 minute video curriculum that will teach you, your...

Do you find it difficult to help teenagers make Scripture a priority in their own lives? How can you inspire them to make daily Bible reading a routine? And once they are reading, how should you guide them to process what they are reading?   Not only will Sid and Jason talk through those questions, you can also view this interactive webinar to get those questions answered! Just for signing up you’...

Michael McDonald is the Director of Global Focus and Strategic Relationships at the Bible Project. Learn more about the work that Mike and the Bible Project are up to through their website or Youtube channel .   Do you find it difficult to help teenagers make Scripture a priority in their own lives? How can you inspire them to make daily Bible reading a routine? And once they are reading, how shou...