Youth Ministry Booster

Send us Fan Mail Jay Winn shares how his youth ministry at Riverpoint Church is shifting toward a more relational approach in response to changing student needs. Despite having fewer resources following leadership transitions, Jay is finding success by investing deeply in authentic connections with students rather than focusing primarily on programs and events. • Returning to "old school yout...

Send us Fan Mail Alleigh Jezek shares how she revitalized a youth ministry by creating an inviting atmosphere, multiplying small groups, and building an authentic community where students feel empowered to lead and invite friends. 🧠 IN THIS EPISODE: 🌀 Creating welcoming environments is in the details like cleaning and organizing the youth space 🌳 Multiplying small groups from 6 to 12 groups all...

Send us Fan Mail The hype of camp is fading. The smell of leftover sunscreen and emotional debriefs still lingers. But now it’s time to face the real ministry question: What’s next? In this episode, Chad and Zac unpack the sneaky shift from summer chaos to fall calendars, and how to survive the mid-summer mental fog without quitting or creating a whole new youth group (again). July can be a peculi...

Send us Fan Mail The emotional marathon of summer camp affects every youth minister differently. Whether you're riding high on spiritual victories, nursing wounds from what felt like failure, or simply exhausted beyond words, this episode offers genuine encouragement for wherever you find yourself. Zach and Chad dive into their contrasting pre-camp experiences - one fueled by caffeine-like ex...

Send us Fan Mail Kate Downing joins us to discuss her new Bible study "Fighting With Fear" and shares profound insights about the theological significance of fear in ministry leadership and decision-making. • Fear itself isn't bad—we were designed to fear, but the object of our fear matters • Ministry decisions often trigger fears about consequences and others' opinions • The &...

Send us Fan Mail Youth Ministry.. it ain't what it used to be!  The digital revolution has transformed youth ministry into uncharted territory, creating what seasoned experts are calling "a perfect storm" of challenges for today's teenagers. At the heart of this storm lies the smartphone – a device that has fundamentally altered how adolescents experience relationships, rest, a...

Send us Fan Mail If you're experiencing ministry burnout or feeling your passion fading, establish accountability with someone who knows you well enough to speak truth when you're drifting, and intentionally surround yourself with those newer to ministry who bring fresh perspective and enthusiasm. SPECIAL GUEST ALERT: Jameson Barker Veteran youth minister Jameson Barker shares how he mai...

Send us Fan Mail What's it like to be new? Feel like you are the only one?  Welp you are not! There is a growing trend of folks leading youth ministry that are 1. new to the role 2. home grown from the church where they attend. In this episode we learn firsthand all about it!  Join us for an eye-opening discussion about the journey into youth ministry with Miguel Adesokan, who shares his uniq...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a vibrant young leader embraces his calling in the unpredictable setting of youth ministry? Special Guest Alert: Mariano Sarabia This episode explores the path of youth ministry through the experience of Mariano, who shares his calling, challenges, and successes in empowering young leaders. The importance of humility, prayer, and authentic relationships in minist...

Send us Fan Mail Could You Survive the 1800s?  The password is Clifford the Big Red Dog. Could you hack it in the 1800s armed only with modern knowledge? Wild question, right?  Zac and Chad wrote a book!  This episode kicks off with some fun, lighthearted speculation before we take a deep dive into childhood nostalgia—Dr. Seuss, Clifford the Big Red Dog , and how those early books shaped our love...

Send us Fan Mail Youth ministry is relational work. The work isn't not quality time but quality time. Relationships that are growing are resilient.  🚨SPECIAL GUEST ALERT  Daniel Kim dkim@gospelife.com Daniel__Tokyo Youth ministry flourishes when leaders invest in relationships, mentorship, and personal growth. In this episode of the Youth Ministry Booster Podcast, we sit down with a young pa...

Send us Fan Mail This episode explores the significance of building authentic relationships in youth ministry while challenging traditional metrics of success. T-doe shares his personal experiences, from grassroots initiatives like Fast Food Valentine's to creating psychological safety for young people, emphasizing the impact of community and connection in nurturing today's youth.  • The...

Send us Fan Mail You can't quite make it on your own!  This episode focuses on the essential characteristics of effective youth ministry, emphasizing the need for community, accountability, and ongoing development of leaders. Zac and guest Ian explore common roadblocks leaders face, along with practical strategies for fostering a healthy ministry environment centered on relationships. 🚨SPECI...

Send us Fan Mail If there is a ministry genie that can grant wishes then here are our 5 for 2025!  Happy New Year's episode everyone! This week we explore how to shape youth ministry in 2025, emphasizing relational connections, purposeful engagement, and the joy of community. Chad and Zac have five  wishes that will guide ministries to build stronger connections with youth while incorporating...

Send us Fan Mail Picture this: a repaired wise man figurine named King Christmas, hidden for joyous family fun and stories of Christmas Eve steak dinners at Longhorn. These are just a few of the festive gems shared by our guests Chris Trent, Matt Flanagan, and Todd Sanders on the Youth Industry Booster podcast. As we unwrap their cherished holiday traditions, we also explore how these customs evol...

Send us Fan Mail Remember a time when cell phones were a novelty and social media was just a distant dream?  *Special Guest Alert Kevin Libick*  This episode is a nostalgic rewind featuring a seasoned ministry leader who’s been on the front lines since the late '90s. From the days of mailing out calendars and jazzing up bulletin boards with clip art (yes, clip art!) to the arrival of video ed...

Send us Fan Mail What if the most challenging parts of your past could fuel a transformative future?  What if your toughest challenges could become your greatest ministry?  In this episode, we reconnect with our friend Jose Rodriguez from Tulsa, now leading Rescue a Generation in Southern California. He shares his incredible story of transformation—from growing up in a tough neighborhood, navigati...

Send us Fan Mail 20 years in and still learning new things! 🎧 Special Guest Alert: TJ Scrapper from  Tahlequah, Oklahoma, who has dedicated two decades to guiding young people through their spiritual journeys. 🎙️ Youth Ministry In A New Era (Reimagined) In this episode, we dive into the evolving role of youth pastors and the growing recognition of their transformative contributions. Discover how...

Send us Fan Mail 🎉 Let's kick it! Join us and our good buddy Cameron! as we dive into a fun fall episode. Do you ever wondered what happens when a Christmas game goes hilariously off the rails? Or how much leadership is a team sport? This episode is packed with laughs and real talk on the wild ride that is youth ministry! Special guest alert: Cameron Crow Rethinking Youth Ministry Metaphors:...

Send us Fan Mail But how do you teach the Bible? So that students will learn? Special Guest Alert: Karen Workun!  In this engaging episode Zac Workun and his guest Karen Workun dive deep into effective strategies for teaching scriptural texts. Karen shares her unexpected passion for genealogy, likening it to storytelling through concise biographies, and how this interest parallels the narrative en...

Send us Fan Mail Catchphrase... the things we tell ourselves (and others)  *Chad's Back!*  Join us as we share laughs and insights on relationship, care, and catchphrase. We also touch on the balancing act between Chad’s new responsibilities and his ongoing commitment to our podcast, highlighting the importance of consistency in both ministry and podcasting. As the holidays approach, we refle...

Send us Fan Mail Coming to you live *Special Guest Alert* Join us in the ETCH podcast ring with Zach Burke! The heart of the conversation lies the exploration of ministry across contexts from Kentucky, to Tennessee, to Florida. Zac and Zach share stories from our time in home churches, where familiar faces can be both a blessing and a challenge, and how mentorship guided us through these early sta...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered about the coolness of names from different languages?  Join us for a lighthearted chat with Chad Daugherty from Pensacola, Florida, as he shares his love and experiences in middle school ministry. As we bond over the shared quirks of middle school or "J-High."  Get ready for some laughs as we recount some of our best misfire youth group games. This episode...

Send us Fan Mail What if your life took an unexpected turn, leading you from a planned career in medicine to a rewarding path in ministry? From career work to calling? Special guest alert! This week Jacob Dunn, family pastor at Valley Creek Baptist Church, joins us live from #ETCH24 Tune in for a lively chat about the power of  friendships, the unexpected paths our lives can take, and the ultimate...

Send us Fan Mail Who is your friend that autocorrect can't figure out how to spell their name?  Our special guest this week is Daryn Fox and she will have you in stitches!  Join us for this week's heartfelt episode with amusing stories and Daryn's daring toilet-papering adventure and call to ministry. Transitioning into the new role. In this episode we discuss how to take on new rol...