Welcome to this week's episode of the podcast where we Brent, Russell and Melissa sit down to talk about planning for the upcoming Summer and a few things to think about when it comes to church camp, mission trips and regular activities over the school break. Whether you are a young or old youth pastor, we would love for you to listen in and see wh…

Welcome to this week's episode of the podcast where we change things up a bit and start working to produce new content styles for the coming of Season 5 of the podcast. This week, we are starting a new mini-series called "Student Ministry 101" where Russell will be hosting several episodes geared towards how to be a youth pastor in your church that…

Welcome to this week's episode of the podcast where David sits down with Kevin Libick, a 25-year student ministry veteran in Fort Worth, Texas. He currently leads a team of amazing Christ Chapel Bible Church staff and leaders. They come together to talk about what comes after hurt and how to come to find hope in the future after hurt has happened. …

Welcome to this week's episode of the podcast where Melissa sits down with Heather Juarez, former children’s pastor and current Social Media Director at Plugged Marketing Consulting in Abilene, Texas, to talk about ways to use social media to increase student attendance and involvement as well as safety concerns, boundaries and age-appropriate cont…

Welcome to this week's episode of the podcast where Brent and David sit down to talk about different ways you can work to provide your students with different ways to experience worship and prayer through services and intentional focus. Whether you are a young or old youth pastor, we would love for you to listen in and see what is talked about in t…

Welcome to this weeks episode where David sits down with repeat guest Karis Carstensen to talk about the times when the PLANS for your ministry don't quite meet expectations and how to navigate the disappointment from those times to continue to move on. Whether you are a young or old youth pastor, we would love for you to listen in and see what is …

Welcome to this weeks episode where Russell is back as host after taking a hiatus from the show for about a season. He's sitting down this week to talk with David Loftis, the Family Pastor at Lake Houston Methodist Church, to talk about how to incorporate Bible study into the lives of students and different practices to help students study on their…

Welcome to this weeks episode where Melissa sits down with Leah Poarch, the children's pastor at Radiant Life Church in Abilene, Texas, as they talk about the Christmas season and the many challenges that come from working in ministry as well as how to avoid burnout during the season. Whether you are a young or old youth pastor, we would love for y…

Welcome to this weeks episode where Brent sits down with Lois Stevens, a missionary that works alongside Overland Missions in Mozambique, Africa, to talk about how to encourage and engage students that have a call to missions whether foreign or domestic. Whether you are a young or old youth pastor, we would love for you to listen in and see what is…

Welcome to this weeks episode where David sits down with Eric Waits, the youth pastor at First Baptist Grandview in Grandview, Texas, as they talk about ministry as a journey that takes time and effort but can bring lifelong change to you and the people involved in the ministry. Whether you are a young or old youth pastor, we would love for you to …

Welcome to this weeks episode where Micah sits down with the Lead Pastor of Barbecue Church, an innovative online community that combines a passion for faith and fellowship with the love of barbecue. They sit down to talk about innovations and new ideas when it comes to reaching people for Jesus. Whether you are a young or old youth pastor, we woul…

Welcome to this weeks episode where Melissa sits down with Ian Brown, the Associate Campus Pastor at Life.Church in Shawnee, OK., to talk about mobilizing your church and youth ministry to handle different crisis situations that might come up in your community or around you that you can help with. Whether you are a young or old youth pastor, we wou…

Welcome to this weeks episode where Brent sits down with Zac Workun of Lifeway Students to talk about different failures in youth ministry leadership and how to avoid the pitfalls that can come from them. These are all practical tips to help you succeed where you are and make longevity in your church a priority! Whether you are a young or old youth…

Welcome to this weeks episode where David sits down with Brett Patterson and Colby Hill, two youth pastors that are friends and work together in ministry even though they are roughly an hour a part in the churches they serve, as they talk about working collaboratively in Youth Ministry with other youth groups and the importance of community between…

Welcome to this weeks episode where Micah sits down with Billy Spriggs, host of the Firebrand show on the Christian Television Network (CTN), as they talk about his time with Hillsong and transitioning from an unhealthy environment to a healthy one. Whether you are a young or old youth pastor, we would love for you to listen in and see what is talk…

Welcome to this weeks episode where Melissa sits down with David Herbst, the Associate Pastor at Lytle Baptist Church in Abilene, Texas, to talk about developing rhythms of Godly Disciplines in your everyday life. Whether you are a young or old youth pastor, we would love for you to listen in and see what is talked about in today's episode and we w…

Welcome to this weeks episode where Brent sits down with Mike Donehey, the lead singer of Tenth Avenue North, to talk about finding God's presence in all things and how we, especially in the church, need to continue to frame our focus to avoid losing heart in ministry. Whether you are a young or old youth pastor, we would love for you to listen in …

Welcome to this weeks episode where Brent sits down with Vernon King Jr., the author of the new book "The Intimacy & Sex Conversation" to talk through current research and trends when it comes to teens and encountering sexual trends in the culture around them. It also covers how pastors and parents need to be navigating the waters of these conversa…

Welcome to this weeks episode where David and Ross King sit down to talk about the story behind his new song "I Don't Know" and how it relates to our walks as Christians dealing with people that need extra grace and patience through the process of loving our neighbor. Whether you are a young or old youth pastor, we would love for you to listen in a…

Welcome to this weeks episode where Micah and Michael Kubis, Michael and his wife, Rachel, serve as U.S. Missionaries for Youth Alive in the states of Pennsylvania and Delaware. In his role, Michael encourages, empowers, and equips teens in the local church to share the good news of Jesus Christ in their schools and beyond. They sit down to talk ab…

Welcome to this weeks episode where Melissa sits down with Anapaula Martinez, the Associate Youth Director and Middle School Coordinator at Kingwood Methodist Church. They sit down to talk about the importance of having unification as a youth ministry team starting with the Holy Spirit, how their team built that, what to do to gain that without sta…

Welcome to this weeks episode where Brent sits down with Rick Eubanks, the Texas State Coordinator for the National Network of Youth Ministries. They sit down to talk about the different opportunities to get your students involved in sharing their faith at school and specifically focus on See You At The Pole and the history behind it. Whether you a…

Welcome to this weeks episode where Melissa sits down with Worship Pastor Justin Miller to talk about the grind of chasing what God has called you to do while having to work for a living in other jobs. Whether you are a young or old youth pastor, we would love for you to listen in and see what is talked about in today's episode and we would also lo…

Welcome to this week's episode where Brent sits down with Shama Mrema as they talk about humor, authenticity and building relationships. Hopefully this episode makes you laugh and inspires you to continue to work on your relational skills with your students. Whether you are a young or old youth pastor, we would love for you to listen in and see wha…

This week's episode is a little different. Brent just drops in briefly to share a quick note about volunteers and how you can build and encourage them in your ministry as well as use them as fuel for growing your volunteer base. Whether you are a young or old youth pastor, we would love for you to listen in and see what is talked about in today's e…

Welcome to this week's episode where David sits down with Brent Aiken, co-host of the SMC Podcast and Youth Pastor at Wylie Methodist Church in Abilene, Texas, as they talk about the the ins and outs of preparing for the upcoming semester and going through five of the things that you need to be doing to prep for the Fall. Whether you are a young or…

Welcome to this week's episode where Melissa sits down with Christina Prim, the Youth Outreach, Discipleship, and Media Coordinator at House of Faith in Abilene, Texas, as they talk about the process of bringing the big idea from the meeting to the implementation of it through the church. Whether you are a young or old youth pastor, we would love f…

Welcome to this week's episode where Brent sits down with Brett Patterson, the youth pastor at St John's Methodist in Stamford, Texas, to talk about the spirituals highs that a camper experiences throughout different activities and how to look for and discern the different between the students that changed behavior for the week and the students tha…

Welcome to this week's episode where Micah sits down with Eran Holt, the founder and president of Lead The Generation. tackle the subject of Biblical literacy. They talk about how it is crucial in youth ministry because it provides young people with a solid foundation of faith, enabling them to understand and live out Christian principles. It helps…

Welcome to this week's episode where David sits down with John Simmons, the Campus Pastor at Rush Creek Church in Mansfield, Texas. They come together to talk about church planting and how to go about it if God is calling you in that direction. Whether you are a young or old youth pastor, we would love for you to listen in and see what is talked ab…

Welcome to this week's episode where Melissa sits down with Kevin Libick, a 25-year student ministry veteran in Fort Worth, Texas. He currently leads a team of amazing Christ Chapel Bible Church staff and leaders. They come together to talk about Community Building over Production value. Is that a trend? What did Covid have to do with it? How do yo…

Welcome to this week's episode where David sits down with Tyler Looney, the pastor at First Methodist Sweetwater, Texas, as they talk about how to handle and manage insecurities in your personal life, family and ministry. Whether you are a young or old youth pastor, we would love for you to listen in and see what is talked about in today's episode …

Welcome to this week's episode where Brent sits down with Chris Hurt, the youth pastor at First Baptist Church in Frisco, Texas, as they talking about personally having and creating a culture of joy in your ministry. Whether you are a young or old youth pastor, we would love for you to listen in and see what is talked about in today's episode and w…

Welcome to this week's episode where Micah sits down with Christopher Merrill, the Youth and Connections Pastor at Wrightville Assembly of God, as they talk about being authentic in Youth Ministry. Whether you are a young or old youth pastor, we would love for you to listen in and see what is talked about in today's episode and we would also love t…

Welcome to this week's episode where Brent sits down with Mike McGarry, youth pastor and founder of Youth Pastor Theologian, as they talk about the importance of thinking theologically in Youth Ministry. Whether you are a young or old youth pastor, we would love for you to listen in and see what is talked about in today's episode and we would also …

Welcome to this week's episode where David sits down with his wife, Kelcie Pruitt, as they talk about what it's like to be married and serve together in Youth Ministry and how being married affects Youth Ministry. Whether you are a young or old youth pastor, we would love for you to listen in and see what is talked about in today's episode and we w…

Welcome to this week's episode where Melissa sits down with David Jewitt, the Associate Pastor at New Hope Church in Abilene, Texas, as they talk about the biblical aspect of tithing and how that affects you as a staff person. Whether you are a young or old youth pastor, we would love for you to listen in and see what is talked about in today's epi…

Welcome to this week's episode where Micah sits down with Carrie Roberts, the Youth Pastor at Connection Church in Pottstown, PA, as they talk about creating a family-type culture in Youth Ministry and why that's important to prioritize. Whether you are a young or old youth pastor, we would love for you to listen in and see what is talked about in …

Welcome to this week's episode where Brent sits down with Mike Haynes, youth pastor of 10+ years and founder of GShades Curriculum, as they talk about how to evaluate the different youth ministry curriculums that are available and why you should test them out to fit your ministry BEFORE you use them. Whether you are a young or old youth pastor, we …

Welcome to this week's episode where David sits down with Josh Green, the Student Pastor at Colonial Hill Baptist Church in Snyder, Texas, as they talk about different ways to eliminate the sense of rush and hurry from your life and ministry. Whether you are a young or old youth pastor, we would love for you to listen in and see what is talked abou…

Welcome to this week's episode where Melissa sits down with a few students from McMurry University to talk about the importance of communication with other cultures and traditions and how we have to connect on a basis of conversation. Whether you are a young or old youth pastor, we would love for you to listen in and see what is talked about in tod…

**THIS IS THE FINAL EPISODE OF SEASON 3!**Welcome to this week's episode where Brent sits down with Steve Cullum to talk about the current state of youth groups across the country and dealing with the cultural climate. They aim to discuss the question of "Where do we go from here?"Whether you are a young or old youth pastor, we would love for you t…

Welcome to this week's episode where Brent sits down with Dave Choutka to talk about the times of walking through valleys in ministry whether due to just tough ministry situations or church hurt. Whether you are a young or old youth pastor, we would love for you to listen in and see what is talked about in today's episode and we would also love to …

Welcome to this week's episode where Micah sits down with Scott Nagle to talk about the importance of small groups in your ministry and how to effectively use them in your ministry. Whether you are a young or old youth pastor, we would love for you to listen in and see what is talked about in today's episode and we would also love to hear from you!…

Welcome to this week's episode where Brent sits down with Brandon Best to talk about staying in Youth Ministry for the long haul and growing old in the process. They talk about what foundations need to be built in order to prepare for longevity as well as what to avoid in the process. Whether you are a young or old youth pastor, we would love for y…

Welcome to this week's episode where Brent sits down with Shawn Kirkland to talk about student led Jesus groups and how you can challenge and equip your students to get one started on their school campuses. Whether you are a young or old youth pastor, we would love for you to listen in and see what is talked about in today's episode and we would al…

Welcome to this week's episode where Micah sits down with Johnny Burkhalter, the worship pastor at Crossroads Church in Douglas Springs, GA, as they talk about the importance of worship in Youth Ministry and how to incorporate it in your program. Whether you are a young or old youth pastor, we would love for you to listen in and see what is talked …

Welcome to this week's episode where Melissa sits down with Alicen Ohoran to talk about the importance of getting kids involved in camp and how it can be a pivotal point to look back on in their faith journey. Whether you are a young or old youth pastor, we would love for you to listen in and see what is talked about in today's episode and we would…

Welcome to this week's episode where David sits down with Brandon Upton to talk about the importance of understanding mental health and utilizing self-care when it comes to ministry. Whether you are a young or old youth pastor, we would love for you to listen in and see what is talked about in today's episode and we would also love to hear from you…

Welcome to this week's episode where Brent sits down with Greg Stier, the founder of Dare2Share Ministries, as they talk about the importance of putting evangelism FIRST in the priority of students and how it will impact their own spiritual journey as well as teach them to disciple others as well. Whether you are a young or old youth pastor, we wou…