Youth Ministry Unscripted: The Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast

In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, Tara Davis and Cameron Cole emphasize the central focus of every gospel-centered children’s ministry: the Bible. They present three key approaches to help grow children’s biblical literacy and offer practical guidance for implementing each one in your ministry context. Whether you're a seasoned leader or just starting out, this session eq...

In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted , Josh, Isaiah, Danny, and new co-host Becca focus on a crucial season in student discipleship: senior year. They unpack why senior year is such a unique window for ministry. The hosts discuss helping seniors see the church as more than youth group, preparing them to find a gospel-centered church in college, and giving them categories for God’s will, vo...

In this final episode of our season  Can't Do It All , Anna welcomes back Rooted podcaster Alice Churnock and introduces our brand-new executive director Hannah Dow. We invited them to talk about the (potential) overwhelm of being a mother. Both of these moms juggle full-time jobs while running their households, caring for elderly parents, serving at church, and attempting to maintain friendships...

In this special Christmas episode of the Rooted Parent Podcast, father and veteran youth pastor Syler Thomas join Cameron and Anna to discuss about the misadventures of Kevin McAllister and his family. They talk about parenting failures, regrets, and redemption, and how, because of Christ, we are not condemned for our shortcomings as moms and dads.  Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and M...

In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted , Isaiah, Josh, and Danny dive deep into one of the most vulnerable areas of student discipleship: doubt. Drawing from Mark 9 and personal ministry experiences, the hosts explore how youth pastors can respond when students express questions or wrestle with deconstruction. They offer guidance on how to walk with students through doubt without minimizing...

In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, Jonathan Holmes offers a gospel-centered framework for engaging in conversations about gender. He begins with two cultural observations that shape how we think about identity today and then outlines five key problems with modern-day identity formation. With clarity and compassion, Jonathan equips ministry leaders to speak truthfully and g...

In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Danny, Isaiah, and Josh dive into the subtle but dangerous “Messiah Complex” that many youth pastors wrestle with—the belief that they must save, fix, or be everything to everyone. From the weight of unmet expectations to the exhaustion of blurred boundaries, this episode uncovers how this mindset leads to burnout and misplaced identity. The hosts offe...

In this special episode of YMU, Danny hosts the 7th annual Rooted Book Awards. These Book Awards serve our listeners who might not have the time or budget to read every book out there. It includes categories of books for Youth Ministers, Parents, Bible Teaching, and Teenagers. Happy reading!   Accessible Church: A Gospel-Centered Vision for Including People with Disabilities and Their Families by...

In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Isaiah, Josh, and Danny address youth ministry culture, especially as it interacts with the influence of social media. They discuss how social media impacts our students and how we as youth pastors can navigate it well for greater gospel influence.  Resources: Unplugged: Encouraging Students Toward Offline Living - Rooted Ministry  Why Teens Compulsive...

In this workshop discussion from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, four experienced ministry leaders—Connie Nelson, Isaiah Marshall, Liz Edrington, and Anna Meade Harris—tackle the important and complex topic of ministering to students who come from difficult home environments. They share why this issue is close to their hearts, explore what constitutes a challenging home life, offer practical...

In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Isaiah, Josh, and Danny address politics and the divide it has created in our nation and how it has impacted our youth groups. They tackle some hot-button issues and give tips on how to navigate political discussion. Finally, they discuss developing a Christ-centered identity that transcends politics. Resources:  Rooted Youth Ministry and Family Minist...

In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, Syler Thomas reflects on the complex but beautiful intersection of family and ministry. Drawing from years of personal experience, Syler shares four key insights: 1) God will use your family to bless your ministry, 2) God will use your ministry to bless your family, 3) You must intentionally define healthy boundaries for your family, 4) W...

n this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Isaiah, Josh, and Danny discuss the frustrations and the blessings of partnering with parents in your youth ministry. There is a huge potential for Gospel impact when youth ministry leaders and parents link arms to disciple the next generation.    Show Them the Gospel: Partnering with Parents in an Asian-American Church - Rooted Ministry Partnering with...

In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, Dr. Richard Ross asks a crucial question: What can youth ministers do to invest in the spiritual lives of parents? With wisdom and clarity, Dr. Ross shares practical strategies to equip and empower parents to disciple their teenagers toward a lifelong faith in Jesus.   Richard Ross, PhD, is husband to LaJuana, who has joined him in a life...

In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Isaiah, Josh, and Danny look back over the decades of their time in youth ministry. A lot has changed since the 90s and early 2000s. Listen to this discussion about the huge opportunity we have to impact the lives of students with the gospel today.    Resources: Ask Rooted: How Do You Shift to Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry? Youth Minister, Cool Is Ove...

In this thought-provoking workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, Mike McGarry explores how a proper understanding of the Imago Dei —the image of God—shapes our identity and discipleship. Arguing that much of today’s cultural confusion stems from forgetting what it means to be human, Mike walks through the biblical storyline of creation, fall, redemption, and glorification to show how...

In this insightful workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, Jason Woodruff explores how Christians can cultivate biblical boundaries around the news and politics they consume. He outlines six practical ways to build a spiritually healthy relationship with media in today’s polarized, fast-paced world. Jason is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Pour Over , a politically neutral news...

In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted , Isaiah, Josh, and Danny get honest about the quiet discouragement youth leaders often carry– when the seats are empty, the students are disengaged, and the fruit just isn’t showing up the way you hoped for. Together, they explore what it looks like to stay faithful, how to redefine “success” in kingdom terms, and why unseen obedience still matters dee...

n this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, Kendal Conner equips youth leaders with practical tools for teaching the book of Daniel to students. With warmth and clarity, she offers encouragement for navigating this complex book and demonstrates how it can be both accessible and transformative for young hearts.   Kendal has spent over a decade in youth ministry and currently serves a...

In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Isaiah, Josh, and Danny unpack why all youth ministers need a tribe. Not just to survive—but to thrive in the call God has placed on our lives. The three discuss the power of peer relationships, the danger of isolation, and how to build rhythms of mutual support and encouragement in ministry. Because you weren’t meant to carry the call to ministry alon...

In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, Jason Woodruff explores how today’s media landscape—especially platforms like TikTok—has changed the way we consume news. He walks through the history of news dissemination, explains how social media algorithms shape what we see, and offers practical advice for developing a spiritually healthy relationship with the news—for you and your t...

In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, Kristen Hatton unpacks the five P's of parenting to help parents become more self-aware, stay motivated toward their children, and lead their homes with gospel-centered purpose and hope. Kristen is a counselor who works with teenage girls, parents, and families. She’s the author of Parenting Ahead , Face Time , Get Your Story Straight , a...

In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Isaiah, Josh, and Danny discuss the continual and important issue of unengaged students.  From students on your youth ministry rosters who do not attend, to those who do attend but are not fully engaged or very active in youth group. In considering these students, they discuss various ways to get these unengaged students more engaged into church and yo...

In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, veteran youth pastor Justin Wong reflects on how culture—through wars, elections, and even music—has shaped youth ministry over the years. He offers honest encouragement for the weary youth worker, while highlighting both the challenges and the unique opportunities that come with serving the next generation. Justin has served in youth and...

In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, Jimmy Kim explores the heart of family ministry—what it is, why it matters, and how churches can cultivate it in their own context. With over 20 years of experience across youth, college, and family ministry, Jimmy offers a practical and gospel-centered approach for churches of all sizes and backgrounds. Jimmy serves as the Executive Dire...