Youthwork+ Podcast

Olly our series one OG co-host rejoins Becky for a special episode discussing their own experience as young people at youth groups. What mattered to them, what was influential and what doesn't happen now! They talk about the similarities between themselves growing up and teenagers today, what fundamentals have stayed the same and how much has changed. Tune in for inspo, hints and tips and our take...

Tune in to hear Terri's ministry journey, quite a few insightful nuggets of wisdom she has learned from ministry as she balances working for a church and a national christian charity. As well as balances coordinating a broad mix of ministry with babies and tots to 18's at her church. She shares some genuinely feel good moments and recent highlights from ministry. And don't miss some li...

Dave Boden stopped by to chat to Becky about Gen Alpha - who are they, what makes them distinctive and how can we as parents and leaders understand them better to support and engage them in all the best ways. Plus we talk a bit about 'the quiet revival' and the quiet or loud renewal that Dave thinks has to happen first. Using the acronym ALPHA (Anxious-minded, Leading influencers, Pandemic-impacte...

Becky is joined by Steven Croft the Bishop of Oxford to talk about his journey through ministry, his upcoming retirement, his thoughts from his role at the House of Lords on AI, digital ethics and technology, the vision of Oxford Diocese, what he's seen of the Quiet Revival, his part in Church of England's Fresh Expressions, and his advice. There is so much rich juicy conversation & nu...

In this episode of the YouthWork+ podcast, host Becky Lawrence speaks with Hannah Bowden, a Senior Researcher at Youthscape Centre of Research and trustee of YouthWork+. They discuss Hannah's journey into youth work, her role at Youthscape, and the importance of research in informing youth ministry practices. Hannah shares her experiences working with young people, the impact of faith on her caree...

Host Becky Lawrence interviews Wayne Dixon, a dedicated worker in schools ministry through Christian Connections in Schools. Wayne shares his journey of over 40 years in youth & kids schools ministry, discussing the activities he runs in schools, the importance of building relationships, and the impact of prayer. He unpacks Hanging Around Ministry and why it works. He highlights the significan...

Olly's our other OG host has been off starting his curacy (vicar in training) role in Chipping Norton, but he rejoins Becky for this Christmas special. Spaghetti Pictionary + church carpet . Hot chocolate spillages. M1 confusion. Complaints from parents. Young people going on mission trips, getting baptised, youth leader weekends away and more. Listen to this episode in full to find out the re...

Lewis shares his journey into youth ministry, highlighting how his early experiences as a secondary school teacher ignited his passion for working with young people. He explains how we pursued that call and started Vicar training. Host Becky Lawrence engages in a heartfelt conversation with Lewis Simonds, a curate at St. Frideswides Church in Milton Keynes. Together, they explore the vital role of...

In this episode Becky catches up with Dot, the youth worker at New Life church Milton Keynes.  Hear how Dot kept coming back to church youth work, how God has changed & empowered her along the way, and hear some fab stories of God at work in her ministry.  She tells us about being an introvert and feeling intimidated of young people, about taking 100 youth to New Day festival(!), how she welco...

Becky catches up with Tony about his journey into ministry - becoming a Christian at 16 on a surprise trip to Spring Harvest, spending 6 months in Tanzania, studying with CYM, and more recently being called to plant a church in a new build estate. Hear amazing stories of God preparing the way and some nuggets of wisdom he learned in his years as a youth worker. Be encouraged.

Becky catches up with Dave to find out his journey into ministry and how God kept calling him back to children's ministry. Hear all about his 'many hats' including his role at Children Worldwide - hosting breakfasts and networks for kids leaders, and his role at Scripture Union equipping others to reach the 95% of kids and youth not engaged with church. Hear his top tips and find out what question...

Becky interviews Ben Jones, Founder of Missional Generation, a charity based up in Leeds that are focused on equipping young people to be influential for Jesus in every arena of life. They have several resources that use cutting edge technology to make this happen - including augmented reality, apps and coming soon a new AI tool for youth leaders to help plan sessions! Listen to Becky find out abo...

Becky interviews her sister who leads a church plant with her husband Paul. She talks about the family and all age focused activities they run, some of her own faith story and how she ended up going from Cabin Crew to ministry! Tune in for advice and inspiration from ordinary Christians doing great things.

Olly and Becky interview Sam Haiser from Austria who is in the UK studying to become a priest in the Church of England. He talks about a system he authored to train and equip spiritual fathers and mothers to mentor and disciple young people. It's more than a resource - it's a training programme and a way of life! He also talks about his Christian journey, becoming a youth worker, being mentored hi...

Lara is an accountant and a mum of two boys - she was surprised and in denial when God inspired and challenged her to write a Christian book for kids. But that was just the start! She is now self published and along with input from her boys, has created a whole series of beautiful engaging & durable Christian resources for children. And her main job is still an accountant! Tune in for her stor...

OG cohosts Olly and Becky reunite for a special episode to catch up on what they've been up to lately, including National Youth Ministry Weekend, Vicar exams, Christmas stress, Becky's 40th Birthday, ages & stages & more.

Gemma heads up the Luton Youth Work Team in Luton, she tells us how she got into youth work, some of her ministry highlights and how growing up in Luton affects her young people and her youth work. Join us for an encouraging conversation which we hope will inspire your work with children and young people and your Christian faith journey.

Dan & Becky catch up about their gap year experience with the Message Trust and how it has impacted them since. Daniel shares how faith is his foundation for his vocation, the challenges of being a YouTuber and how he got roped into leading a youth group by his wife Kelly. Hear what inspires him about young people and what Becky would do if she had a large sum of money to invest in ministry! A...

Becky interviews Mike from similar ministry supporting leaders that do youth/kids work. Would Becky rather fight a horse sized duck or 100 duck sized horses? What jobs would Mike and Becky do if they weren't involved in ministry roles? Mikes journey to doing what he does now. What area of youth/kids ministry is Mike passionate about and why? Whats been a highlight of his ministry? All this and mor...

Join Becky as she interviews a familiar face from the podcast - Olly Shaw who has been absent from co hosting the last few episodes as he's been doing vicar training. Find out how he's been getting on - how he was called into it, best and worst bits and hear him ask Becky how she is transitioning from being a mum of a toddler and the founder and director of a charity.

Our latest podcast episode with the amazing Clive Latter. We both used to be youth workers in Luton over 10 years ago, organised and ran a bunch of town wide youth events together and served on a town centre youth detached team. He's currently a youth and children's worker in Worthing. Tune in to hear him share some of his journey and recent musings and learnings. Plus hear one of Becky's youth wo...

Jo White is a mum of 3 girls and leads the families ministry at Stopsley Baptist Church in Luton where she has been serving in her role for over 20 years. She talks about her ministry early years doing an internship with Luton Churches Education Trust before it became Youthscape, why she thinks engaging families in discipleship is important, why youth and kids work is essentially about pointing pe...

Becky chats to John Prockter, Director of Catalyst Youth Trust in Shropshire.  John is a self professed story teller, author and leader of multiple schools work trusts.  John shares some of his youth work journey, why he cares about dabbling In kids work too, and shares a quote from Ariana Grande! He also shares about his great new book Hikaru, which is a manga allegory of the Christian gospel des...

Becky catches up with Dave Boden, Executive Director at Grace Foundation.  Hear how Dave has accidentally ended up in leadership positions more than once - including leading a youth camp of 200 youth and 30 volunteers at just age 19!   Grace Foundation partners with secondary schools and has Christian Ethos Workers in 12 secondary schools across the Midlands including Solihull, Coventry, Rushden a...

Becky catches up with John Good leader of Ocean Church in Poole, and chaplain of YMCA in Poole/Bournemouth.  How does he help young people and families encounter the presence of God in the everyday and through being on and around the sea. Why does he think all age participation is important and why is our language important to engage with everyone.  What statue would Becky get put up in Milton Key...