Youth Ministry Booster

Send us Fan Mail Wait Chad Higgins is a verb now?  In this episode, we're excited to welcome Christian Moore to the garage floor! Join us for a fun and lighthearted conversation where we imagine Chad Higgins' latest adventures—most likely cracking jokes at a Waffle House—and share our own quirky late-night memories from this iconic spot. We talk favorite orders and those infamous Waffle...

Send us Fan Mail But seriously... what is your go to Chili's triple dipper  Hey friends meet our new friend Britton Bishop. Britton and Zac share personal stories  emphasizing how important small, faithful acts shape future leaders. We discuss the crucial roles of humility and vulnerability, stressing that building genuine connections and providing a safe space for teenagers to express their...

Send us Fan Mail What can football teach us about youth ministry and preaching?  "What can football teach us about youth ministry and preaching? In this episode, we dive deep with Anthony Vargas as he shares his journey from Mississippi to Dallas, and finally to Yukon, Oklahoma, exploring the valuable lessons he's learned along the way. Anthony opens up about the challenges and rewards o...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a dedicated youth ministry leader steps into a new role amidst organizational upheaval?  Amanda Mejias shares her ministry journey from organizing recreation basketball leagues and fitness programs at her home church in Virginia to becoming a girls ministry specialist at LifeWay.  Amanda’s story is not just about transitions but about uncovering the deeper callin...

Send us Fan Mail What do you get when you combine a love for coffee, tacos, and the rising cultural trend of YouTube golf? You get Micah Lynn. Micah Lynn is a second generation minister, growing up as a pastor's kid in  Texas and then growing and blossoming at OBU and during his residency at the Cross Church School of Ministry. Micah shares his journey and the invaluable mentorship he receive...

Send us Fan Mail How do you know you are called to this thing called youth ministry? Special guest alert w/ Josh White, Executive Pastor and long-time friend of the podcast, who shares his remarkable journey into ministry. Josh's path to ministry was far from the conventional seminary path, and his story is a testament to the power of embracing the long game (see told you! long game, short se...

Send us Fan Mail The real secret to youth ministry? This week we are joined by special guest Shelby Millis!  From her  calling in seventh grade to her current role as a youth director at Asbury Church, Shelby’s journey is filled with inspiration and practical wisdom. She also shares her summer of self-care, including her beloved porch swing bed and weekly pool Fridays, underscoring the need for re...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered if chaotic cafeteria brawls could turn into life-changing spiritual moments?  Welcome special guest Brian Preston!  NextGen pastor-awesome Brian joins us this week, filling in for Chad, to share his wild and wonderful camp stories straight from our garage recording setup.  It's the end of CampSZN and we reminiscing about youth camps. Brian shares the unforgettab...

Send us Fan Mail Can the magic of the Olympics transform your youth ministry?  Join us as we celebrate Summer Olympic Month with a spirited debate comparing the allure of summer versus winter games. We'll dive into the exhilarating speed of track and field races, the unique thrill of the biathlon, and the intensity of events like speed skating and swimming.  From international sports showdown...

Send us Fan Mail It's Shark Week fam!   We are celebrating what about you? It's a big deal in the Higgins and Workun households. But wait.. could Shark Week  transform your youth ministry?  Join us as we tap into the fervor of this annual oceanic extravaganza,  and let's draw some  parallels to youth ministry strategies. We discuss how identifying and leveraging kids' passions—...

Send us Fan Mail Aww if middle school you could see you now... they would be proud!  Switching gears, we tackle a pressing question in youth ministry: (When) Should we split middle school and high school programs?  Chad and Zac explore the pros and cons, offering creative solutions for engagement without doubling efforts. From leadership roles for older students to special events for the younger c...

Send us Fan Mail People can be mean! Or if we are being honest... how do you handle the unfiltered honesty of middle school girls in youth ministry?  In this fresh episode of the Youth Ministry Booster Podcast, Zac and Chad bring their humor and truthfulness to tackle it!  Chad +  tortilla = hilarious.  What is something you have  been told something that was hateful... by a student?  We’ve got st...

Send us Fan Mail Smmer camps can transform your youth ministry experience!  Join us for a special crossover episode where Zach and Chad from Youth Ministry Booster team up with Amanda and Corinne from His Glory Her Good. We share our personal camp memories, from childhood to recent leadership and we highlight the profound impact camps have had on our  lives.  Planning a camp and unsure where to st...

Send us Fan Mail Question...which zoo animal would be the ultimate pocket-sized companion?  There is a right answer, but we want to hear yours... Join Zac and Chad as they  swap stories that will crack you up and maybe even crack the code on connecting with middle schoolers (read:boys).  In this episode, we don't shy away from the pressing questions- like whether gaming streams are the new ra...

Send us Fan Mail We're not just talking shop; we're opening up about the art of pacing and the vital act of delegating to avoid burnout.  Remember  school field trips? This episode Zac and Chad are taking that nostalgic trip down memory lane... it's a memory and a feeling.  Ministry comes in waves and this time between spring and summer is one of those valleys.  This heartfelt episo...

Send us Fan Mail Facebook marketplace is safe right?   Zach and Chad, your ministry mentors and amateur online bargain hunters, are here to draw the parallels.  This episode is an open lesson for what we have learned  navigating the challenges that small group leaders face, especially when confronted with the whirlwind or overload that is a roomful of teenagers.  For the next 30 minutes we're...

Send us Fan Mail JEREMY SIT DOWN!  Whew sorry about that... Kids Amma I right? If you have ever had issues with students not listening, being distracting, or even disruptive during teaching time... then do we have a toolkit for you! Dealing w/ Distractions, Disruptions, & Discipline Issues : If you've ever felt like a ringmaster in a circus of pre-teen hijinks we hope this chat is helpful...

Send us Fan Mail Ever had one of those moments where you're left holding your head in your hands, wondering where your brilliant idea went wrong?   Our podcast usually gets down to the nitty-gritty of what it takes to plan not just fun, but also memorable activities for youth ministry.  This week we are laying out our failures, asking for help and coaching up what makes games great.  So enjoy...

Send us Fan Mail Ever bitten off more than you can chew?  Hey friends, Zach Workun and Chad Higgins back for another episode and another year of youth ministry podcasting. This episode is a smorgasbord of tips and tales, starting with my own kitchen catastrophe that turned into a smoky sous vide saga. You'll hear how Chad's culinary mishap serves up a lesson in embracing the unexpected a...

Send us Fan Mail Ready for a rollercoaster ride of emotions this holiday season? Ever tried to surprise your high-end friends with a gift only to find it relegated to the 'middling' category? Grab a cup of cocoa and join us as we traverse the holiday gift-giving terrain, highlighting the importance of backstory and adventure in choosing presents. We'll even tell you why your friend...

Send us Fan Mail Could you eat faster than Zac?  No One's Going To Take It! Join Zac and Chad, where we kick things off with a hilarious debate centered around Zac's rapid-fire eating habits and his lofty claim of inhaling 50 hot dogs in four minutes. We even ponder on what would be the most embarrassing food record to hold. It's a light and hearty start to an episode that gets you...

Send us Fan Mail Youth Ministry Is Relational, but what does that mean? Have you ever wondered how to maximize relational opportunities in youth ministry? That's exactly what Zac and Chad are unpacking in this episode.  Chil or No-Bean Chili? We kick off the show with some winter joys and a feel-good chat about all things chili. There's even a bit of a friendly debate on Wolf Brand chili...

Send us Fan Mail How do I get students to actually read their Bibles?  Join Zac and Chad as we recount some wilds stories of swimming in open waters. Seriously though, Chad why would you push your wife towards the sharks?  Getting students to engage with Scripture starts where they are and nurturing their curiosity so they don't fall into patterns of only reading it during crisis or reciting...

Send us Fan Mail What are we going to do next?  What do we have planned? It's something we say often as youth ministry leaders, but is that really all there is? Is ministry just a matter of planning? Do we really need a better calendar? Is all about what we can plan? We are talking spiritual health inside of Youth Ministry Booster and we have been asking what we need. What we really need is.....

Send us Fan Mail Piles. Stacks. Mess. UGGGHHHH! Are you tripping over clutter, both in your physical space and your digital life?  Same. Until... Join Chad Higgins and Zac as we take a deep dive into personal organization. This is part 3 of our organized for impact series for youth ministry leaders.  There is power, power, wonder working  power of labeling and how designating a space for each item...