Youth Worker On Fire Podcast

Rainy days can be challenging, but it's all in how we look at them. In this episode, I refer to Elijah praying 3 times, but instead he prayed 7 times in 1 Kings 18:43-46. Often we will pray once or twice for something and decide that God is not going to do what we asking.   Jim Halstead (who has 2 interviews on this podcast), prayed for me and my ministry every week for more than 10 years. It kept our student ministry on task and gaining spiritual ground in our church and community. It was almost 20 years before I knew about that and those prayers, but it made spiritual sense. There was a spiritual rainfall in our student ministry for almost 3 decades and Jim had something to do with that awakening in our community through our student ministry.   Enjoy The Rain! God's Blessing over a dry and burned up land. The rain is on its way! Get out there and plant the seeds of faith before it comes, so you will be ready for the rain. _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You

You have a life license to Create! God created in advance good works for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). We are limited by our desire and trust that God is for us, not against us. The passion inside you can be nurtured or it can be crushed. You must decide!   I spoke at a funeral for a 75 year old relative a few weeks ago. Then this week I heard a podcast about a famous rock star who at 75 is doing more for music and business than he has ever done. He is so excited that he automatically wakes up at 5:00AM to start his day from pure excitement.   The power to create greater works, be more excited, and passionate about achieving life should be astronomically greater, because you have a heavenly Father that has created you to do so! _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder’s Guidebook” here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: https://bit.ly/3saDyYq ____

Easter is our anchor! Easter is about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and His Resurrection is what distinguishes from everyone else. This season can be and should be a fun and exciting time for our students and family. Especially if we lead them and teach them well. _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder’s Guidebook” here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: https://bit.ly/3saDyYq _______________________________ EPISODE CREDITS Email us at: youthworkeronfire@gmail.com Hosted by: Doug Edwards Theme Song: "The One and Only" by The 808 : Listen to more at https://bit.ly/3FTYIAJ Intro/Outro Voiceover: Michael Helms : https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelTheSoundGuy  Edited by: Secret Roots Music House

Eat 10,000 Calories... 365 Days A Year! That's Right... You read the title correctly.   But there is always an "IF" thrown somewhere in there... IF you want to work out like the greatest Olympian Of All Time, Michael Phelps. The greatest body builders use to wake up at 2:00AM to drink a protein shake. One of those guys said by the time the competition for Mr. Universe rolled around, we were exhausted from eating.   What IF we devoured the word of God and prayed 365 Days a year like we were preparing for the Olympics? What IF we told people about the good news of Jesus Christ with the enthusiasm of a trained Olympian Athlete?   How would it look if we believed that God had made us, the students, volunteers, staff, our friends and family to do great things, bigger than we ever believed that we were capable of? Jesus said, "Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father" - John 14:12   What IF? ________

Same Page Ministries is Mark Donohue’s ministry. Mark helps to guide CEO’s, business owners, coaches, pastors, and more on a journey of becoming as successful in their family life as they are in their business life and/or ministry.  Mark was responsible for leading 50 of his peers in high school to Jesus while being mentored in a student ministry by his youth pastor. When that happens in a small community, even the surrounding communities hear about it... and we heard about his reputation as a life changer through out our county! Now years later, Mark is a husband, a father, a business man, and a ministry leader. There is much to be learned in this episode by a humble man who just wants to be on the right path of life that leads to building the kingdom of God. _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder’s Guidebook” here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast

Graduation Commencements happen all over the world at several educational levels. Some are even remember as some of the greatest speeches rememered for generations. The speech I am referring to in this episode is one of those memorable commencement speeches by Rick Warren. I felt compelled to tell you about it, so that you can see and hear for yourself as to whether or not it will inspire you in how you treat and inspire the students you are mentoring.   Galatians 5:6 is the key verse expressed, but with a power that demands attention to the details. It affects all areas of life and is expressed by a man who God has used as a pastor, husband, dad, mentor and Global communicator. I hope after this episode you will look up his Commencement Speech and share it with others.   Happy Graduation season to you and your family! _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder’s Guidebook” here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy

80 summers is about how many most individuals have to live... Let that sink in!   So, would you rather spend those summers hoarding your stuff and time only for yourself... or would you rather promote kindness and goodwill to your family, neighbors and the world around you in Jesus name?   What matters in eternity is who we've fed, clothed, and shared the salvation message with. What counts is serving our family whether we feel like they deserve it or not. The most important command is to love God. His most important ask of us is to share the good news with those closest to us and to every other part of the world. His Ask is that we love the less fortunate at home and around the world. He says he takes note of our selfless acts.   In Matthew 6, the author quotes Jesus as saying, worrying doesn't add a single minute to our lives... WOW!   Our biggest rewards are after this life in 80 Summers! Our comfort comes from the Lord who is our Shepherd. King David writes in Psalm 23 that in those 80 summers, He will gi

CORE Values is about an article written by Greg Stier of Dare 2 Share Ministries. "How to Implement the 7 Values of a Gospel Advancing Ministry" is the name of the article.   There are many organizations that you can find to help you with CORE Values that I mention in this episode, but this one is very good if you have been looking for direction and needing help in getting started and/or evaluating why things seem off centered or not focused. This might help get you back to center and seeing the Spirit of God move in your ministry.   Be Strong and Courageous and keep moving forward.   _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder’s Guidebook” here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: https://bit.ly/3saDyYq _______________________________ EPISODE CREDITS Email us at: youthworkeronfire@gmail.com Hosted by: Doug Edwards Theme Song: "The One and Only" by T

The World-O-Meter is pretty impressive. It's calculating the births and deaths in 20 countries by the second (or faster), to let us know approximately how many people are alive on planet Earth each second of every day.    How can we as youth workers, youth pastors, student ministry leaders, and volunteers reach the millions that are being born each year, each second of every day? It's Overwhelming... So how?   Jesus...said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are impossible." - Matthew 19:26 _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder’s Guidebook” here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: https://bit.ly/3saDyYq _______________________________ EPISODE CREDITS Email us at: youthworkeronfire@gmail.com Hosted by: Doug Edwards Theme Song: "The One and Only" by The 808 : Listen to more at https://bit.ly/3FTYIAJ Intro/Outro Voiceover: Mich

The best time for college retreats seemed to be at the beginning of Christmas break and return from that trip the day before Christmas. Was it successful yes... for several years. Was it worth it? For the students yes.... for my family who was very gracious to me? No. Why? Because all things in Jesus name are not necessarily the best thing to do. That sounds wild right? We did eventually move these trips to fall during spring breaks, but you have to use at least 2 different spring break weeks to cover a lot of the students since they were not always at the same time. The beauty of the Rocky mountains was always amazing! But... I had not yet learned the one rule, in which I will repeat over and over again for your sakes as leaders... and for you and your families health. ”You MUST say NO to something BEFORE you say YES to something else." FYI... That NO should be to some other equal project, ministry, or hobby that takes time from your family and health. All around health is important! Peter Drucker, the Fath

If you want to know the value of investing in a child and especially in teenagers, Joel Johnson is one of the greatest examples. He grew up with a Father that left him, a step father that hurt him, threatened him, and left him. Yet... God saw him! He asked Jesus into his heart and his youth pastor challenged him. He took those challenges and did what was unheard of as he kept sharing the salvation story of Jesus Christ boldly on campus. One day he spoke to several hundred students at lunch about Jesus, while having two assistant principals telling him to stop... One of them yelling at him "What gives you the right to speak about your faith?" Just wait until you hear how the students responded! Joel has spoken to hundreds of thousands since he was one of the main speakers for the Acquire The Fire student conferences that were hosted in arenas and stadiums accross the United States. He has also written many books and his latest ("The Wholehearted Journey: 7 Skills to Develop a Wholehearted Life in a Heartbreaki

You can hike the Grand Canyon or you can be a RIM HUGGER. One experiences the canyon first hand. You get thirsty, dirty, and you use energy... but you see what rim huggers never see, the truth about the canyon.  We can do ministry. Spend time with people, lead them to Jesus, and disciple them (make a student out of them)... or you can just look at other people paying the price of ministry and never know the joy of doing the work of Jesus Christ as we are all called to do.  We walk on the water with Jesus or we stay in the boat. _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder’s Guidebook” here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: https://bit.ly/3saDyYq _______________________________ EPISODE CREDITS Email us at: youthworkeronfire@gmail.com Hosted by: Doug Edwards Theme Song: "The One and Only" by The 808 : Listen to more at https://bit.ly/3FTYIAJ Intro/Out

The Truth is always the right thing to talk about and believe. The Truth is not what society usually wants to hear. Real Truth usually goes against the grain of society. So... it has to be delivered in Love, Compassion, and Power through God's spirit. Not by our own self-righteous power. Students (and humans in general) are drawn to God's conviction and driven away by human condemnation. This episode will provide you guidelines on delivering Truth with God's Power. _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder’s Guidebook” here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: https://bit.ly/3saDyYq _______________________________ EPISODE CREDITS Email us at: youthworkeronfire@gmail.com Hosted by: Doug Edwards Theme Song: "The One and Only" by The 808 : Listen to more at https://bit.ly/3FTYIAJ Intro/Outro Voiceover: Michael Helms : https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelTh

What do you do when students and families need help on a professional level? This interview is going to help you find answers to those questions and situations. This interview is a  straightforward discussion with a man who has given his life to the spiritual and mental growth students and their families. He has trained countless numbers to do the same.   Dr. Larry Shyers has a long standing reputation as a pastor, therapist, owner of his own therapist group, and professor at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Dr. Shyers helped create laws in the early years to get family and adolescence therapy to a professional and safe level. He and his wife's love for students and families is very evident.   The safety and protection of our, children, parents and families is important to God and our responsibility as youth workers, pastors, educators many more  to students and families.   Learn more about Dr. Larry Shyers here: www.larryeshyers.com _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource

Making God's Love Clear is important. It sounds like that should be easy and it is, but the power and passion of it needs to be fresh everyday.   At the start of what would become one of the largest churches in the world, the pastor's first intention was that their church was going to intentionally make sure that every person that came to their church would feel loved and that they would know that God loves them. What if that was our intention for every student, volunteer staff, and family connected to our student ministry? What if God's Love was so intentional that your student ministry was known as the place that God's love was located in their community?   The number one thing that every student is looking for is to be loved and to know that God is in love with them.   _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder’s Guidebook” here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On

Pick your… WORD FOR THE YEAR! Yes, one word. A friend of mine has asked me and many other friends to pick their “word” for quite a few years now. What is that one word that you want to define the upcoming year? Here are a few changes you can make to go from negative talk to positive and proactive thinking: Impatient…Patient Unprepared…..Always Prepared  Not Confident….Confident Transactional….Relational Doesn’t Follow Up…Follows Up Doesn’t Advertise…Advertises Doesn’t Ask For Referrals…Asks For Referrals Break the Link between… - Thought To Action: Waiting on God is also an action. Keep showing up and move forward as God keeps the doors open. Each time you think about what you are to do or want to do next… take Action again.  - Stop Trying To Solve Problems That Are Made Up In Your Mind And Not Real: Stop being your own worst enemy. Start being your own best cheerleader. People need a leader who knows where he or she is going. Confident, but not arrogant. Strong, but not angry… confident. - It’s Ok To Be Up

Student Ministry is all about leading students to Jesus and then setting them up for success to live a Jesus centered life. In this episode, we talk about some books and authors that will help you guide students that love God and those who don't, answers to questions that we all ask at some point in our life.   Lee Strobel, Josh McDowell, and his son Sean McDowell are people to listen to and utilize their resources (writings, videos and podcasts) to help guide your staff and students in being well equipped to live a life well lived. To serve God through Jesus who loves them so much. _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder’s Guidebook” here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: https://bit.ly/3saDyYq _______________________________ EPISODE CREDITS Email us at: youthworkeronfire@gmail.com Hosted by: Doug Edwards Theme Song: "The One and Only" by The

There are 4 of us. My oldest sister Deborah, then me (Doug), Deanna and Dawn in that order. Deborah and I being the oldest, pioneered the way as the first teenagers and we benefited big time from student ministries, family and music groups we sang and performed with. Our volunteer youth workers Ronnie and Maxine Kennedy were superheroes to us. They sacrificed themselves and countless hours for years. Deborah and I traveled from coast to coast with music groups during our high school years. Larry and Pat Freeman were pastors for our district in our greater church denomination and trained us as volunteer staff. We staffed in Hendersonville, NC at the Civitans Citizenship Center with chosen students from the best of their individual cities in the Southeastern United States during our college years. In this episode, we cover our teenage to adult years and the effects of many people, including our parents, mentors, and many others. We talk about the legacy of student ministry that we passed down to our children an

Friends who are always there and go way beyond the extra mile… You will encounter people who will inspire you. The journey will be fun, because of those people. Keep these people in your life. Their spiritual and emotional DNA will pass onto you. The holiday miracles are Never convenient, they are necessary. There was no room at the Inn for Joseph and Mary to give birth to their first born son, Jesus, but God sightings sometimes come in a package you don’t expect. The Eldridge family's gift was unexpected and better than we could have dreamed of. It was just what God had ordered… A God Size Gift… Always Bigger and Always Better. One speaker said, “Don’t be so set on what you want that you won’t take something better.”  God Always has a better plan. God Loves Holy Surprises! Now pay it forward again and see what God does next. It’s all about the giving.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year... may this be your best year ever! _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can r

When Jesus showed up the timing seemed off. It was a harsh and cruel time. No one was really looking for him. They were wishing, but not looking. They were hoping for someone to get them out of trouble, but not believing it could happen that day. The process had started, but not the release from another regime take over. Joseph was not expecting it. He just wanted to marry Mary, a normal Jewish girl. Mary was not expecting it, but then this Angel named Gabriel shows up unannounced and nearly scares her to death. Then there was Elisabeth pregnant with John the Baptist. She and her husband are too old for this. This whole story is impossible and it’s just going to take too long. The parents are not impressive. They are just plain folks.  What’s wrong with this picture? It’s the kind of picture that God Loves to paint… Unpredictable, a great surprise. Impossible and yet it’s happening right before their eyes. Christmas miracles are happening everyday in someway all over the world, but we don’t even notice them u