Youth Worker On Fire Podcast

What if you found out your child was a cutter and later on drugs? What if soon after that child turns 18, moves out, and leaves you wondering night after night if they are alive or dead? Tom and Dena Yohe (Parents of Renee Yohe, To Write Love On Her Arms), have lived that life and still live on the tentative list. In Dena's book to parents, "You Are Not Alone: Hope for Hurting Parents of Troubled Kids.", she takes you through how their family navigated these dark and uncertain circumstances. We hope you find hope and inspiration in this amazing story! _________________________________________ RESOURCES: Read Dana's Book here: https://amzn.to/3v1NmFH Hope For Hurting Parents - http://www.HopeForHurtingParents.com To Write Love On Her Arms - https://twloha.com

Ryan Schmitz was a rebellious teenager with a tough home life. With no boundaries, he dropped out of high school and got into a lot of trouble. Doug Edwards talks to Ryan about the positive adults who influenced his life and how his life was transformed through the grace of Jesus Christ. 

A drug and alcohol addiction recovery program, Teen Challenge is the focus of this week's episode.  Doug interviews Joe Batlock, who works for Teen Challenge, a drug and alcohol addiction recovery program.  Teen Challenge USA works on a holistic model of drug and alcohol recovery. This means they are concerned with the body, mind, and spirit of those who come to their addiction recovery centers. They endeavor to help people become mentally sound, emotionally balanced, socially adjusted, physically well, and spiritually alive.  For more information or help call 1-855-END ADDICTION or visit TeenChallengeUSA.com.

Carey Baker is a man among men. He and his wife Lori have 3 children and the oldest is 14 years old. That makes him qualified to talk to youth workers among many other things. He comes from a history of soldiers. In this episode, he speaks of 3 of our recent fallen young soldiers in the Middle East and Afganistan. His dad served in WWII and Carey joined the National Guard at age 18 and served for 32 years. In later years, he was elected to the Florida House of Representatives as well as serving a tour of duty in Iraq during the war. Later he went on to the Florida Senate and now serves as County Appraiser in Lake County, Florida. Listen to the great integrity and faith of this man, Youth Worker Nation.

I met Julie at the NRB, National Religious Brodcasters Convention. Great person and author. Fun interview.

Tim Latiff - Washington DC, was a young man I met while working at the NRB, which is the International Broadcasters Convention, in Orlando, Florida. •Tim grew up in Maryland,  •His parents are pastors and Tim followed suit as a youth pastor at New Life Worship Center in Capital Heights, Maryland.  •Tim also works at the Center for Urban Renewal and Education where he oversees a clergy outreach program. •There he addresses issues of culture, race and poverty in the urban communities, encouraging and educating pastors to be equipped to lead students and families concerning these issues.   •Tim believes that you should build relationships first with young people by taking time to show up at THEIR sports events, THEIR drama productions, to allow students and families to see their face in the crowd. Students are more open and receptive when YOU invest YOUR personal time into things that THEY care about and are involved in because it's important to them.  •Students and Families are real people, with real lives, nee

Casey K. Shannon is a friend of Rick Eldridge from Youth Worker On Fire - Episode 043. While Casey, a Charlotte grown, North Carolinian was managing a hotel in Scotland, Rick and his film crew stayed at that hotel while filming part of The Bobby Jones Story movie. Rick and Casey, having the Charlotte area in common, met and have remained friends for many years. Casey was influenced by people in his adolescence like the rest of us. Like some, Casey's biological father walked away from the family and it was many years before Casey reunited with him to find a changed man and a wealth of knowledge. I had the privilege of working on a project with Casey at the NRB convention for broadcasters via our mutual friend Rick. Casey is now promoting a book tour for Pastor David and Marilynn Chadwick who have been pastors at their church plant for 30 years and a congregation of over 7,000. David played basketball for UNC-Chapel Hill under Coach Dean Smith of which he wrote a book about. Casey is a large part of making this

Rick Eldridge has over thirty years in the entertainment business as a musician, producer, director, and entrepreneur, and he knows how to make projects happen.  Whether sports programming, live production, animated series, or feature films, Rick has been involved in every facet of creative development and production management in the entertainment industry. Rick talks with Doug about his early days and those that influenced his life growing up. He shares the importance of networking and learning all the aspects of the production industry so you can better communicate, no matter what your role. Rick's company can be found at ReelWorks.net and the school Rick is involved with is Compass College of Cinematic Arts.

Tim Hancock was a youth worker for 3 counties in the Orlando, FL area for more than 25 years in Fellowship of Christian Athletes. To raise funds to get students to camp, Tim ran 55 miles from Winter Park, Florida to New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Who does that? An Ironman! Thats my nickname for Tim "Ironman" Hancock who finished the Hawaii Ironman at one point in his life. He has raised a family, iron-willed, resolute young men, Luke and Zack, along with his incredible wife Debbie. Easy Life? I don't think so. Listen to what this wellness expert and business man has to say about overcoming odds and choosing the right path for a balanced life. Listen Up Youth Worker Nation! This is a life to take note of. Get pen and paper.

Greg Larson is a 6'8" pitcher. He played basketball but he thrived in baseball. Lake Brantley High School, GatorNation UF, then to the pros with the Red Sox. Now Greg is in his home area of Seminole County, northern suburbs of Orlando, Florida. He is the head coach for Fellowship of Christian Athletes, FCA, for Seminole County Schools. He raises his own salary to do the work he is passionate about. Listen up Youth Worker Nation! There is value mentoring for you here!

Doug speaks with Juliet Oppong-Amoako and Reverend Abdoulaye Sangho from Trans World Radio in Africa (TWR). Their organization uses media to reach Africa for Christ. Speaking fluently in more than 60 languages and dialects, their outreach in Africa engages millions in more than 40 countries. Together with international partners, local churches and other ministries, TWR provides relevant programming, discipleship resources and dedicated workers to spread hope to individuals and communities around the globe. Whether using high-powered radio to reach people, streaming content to Internet users and mobile phones or visiting face-to-face with listeners, TWR leaves a lasting spiritual footprint. Trans World Radio P.O. Box 4232, Kempton Park, 1620, South Africa https://twrafrica.org+ 27 11 974 2885   

This week, Doug speaks with Zoro the Drummer. Zoro is an internationally renowned rock star, motivational speaker and author. He has toured and recorded with Lenny Kravitz, Bobby Brown, Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, The New Edition, Jody Watley, Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind & Fire, Sean Lennon, Lisa Marie Presley, Lincoln Brewster, Phil Keaggy and many others.  He shares with Doug what his life was like growing up fatherless as one of 7 children and how he brings encouragement and hope to others. Zoro also talks about the impact the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America had on his life.   http://ZoroTheDrummer.com  http://http://www.zoroministries.org

Serena Parkinson Burrows was one of my students in student ministry.  At 18 years of age she became one of my best volunteers. Discipled by my wife Colleen and another volunteer, Karen Mielke, Serena volunteered and passed on her knowledge to middle school girls while organizing our programs for more than 10 years. She is the wife of a professional drummer, Jason Burrows, and raises their two little girls. She is to this day a surfer as she was raised to be by her Florida parents and her little first born girl wants to follow suit. Serena's story will help you to treat your volunteers like gold and what you should do and how you should protect your volunteers.

Eustis, Florida, Mayor Robert Morin is a motivator and a man who just loves people. After meeting his son who is a senior in high school, Cesar, I can see that not only does he love people but his family loves him. When your high school son says great things about you, something right is happening at home. Robert was in Army intelligence, and also received a masters degree in public administration which qualifies him to manage city government. What's in it for me, youth worker nation? This man has worked with DCF and has seen the best of the best families and youth workers and the worst of the worst. This is one confident man who has a vision for a city.

When you lead and teach students, I tell people to treat them well and with kindness because some day they may sign your checks, be a professional that helps you or marry your children. This middle school boy grew up and became my pastor. Brooks Braswell was a leader in school and people followed. He has never stopped leading and changing people's lives with a simple message, The Good News that God Loves You through Jesus Christ! He wanted to be a professional comedian and in a way he still is. With every sermon he makes us laugh while driving home a message that I and others won't forget. He and his lovely wife, Jamie, have 5 girls and 1 boy. He is proud to be raised a country boy. A Bible teaching mom, a huntin', fishin' dad and a professional tennis playing brother. Brooks embraced all of that and did it all and carried it to draw others and hold their attention. You will laugh and take notes with this episode.

Coach Clark Blake sits down with a group of past students, some from 40 years ago, as they share memories of pivotal moments in their high school years. From playing football under Coach Blake's leadership, his crazy classroom antics, to being a part of the original students involved in the first Fellowship of Christian Athletes program on the Eustis High School campus.

Terrence Demps II is a senior at Eustis High School this year, graduating May 2017. He is a good guy and a compassionate guy who has the heart of a lion. He's an athlete, a runner for the track team. Hear what he says about the four-man relay and that final leg. He's a weightlifter who can bench twice his own weight. He is an international! His father is from the USA and his mother was born in Barbados where Terrence spends time with relatives. He is an FCA leader who meets his class mates once a week at 6:30AM. He is an AP Honor Student. Listen to his wise positive attitude far beyond his age.

*Bryson Tuttle 2nd & 3rd Baseman LSSC. His mom works for Hallmark and his dad works for the US Navy. *Jay Prather - Short Stop and 2nd Baseman. Mom is a police officer. *These 2 college athletes are much more than athletes. They are young men who are making marks of kindness and achieving academic and spiritual goals.  Take aways: 1. Winning because you try one more time. 2. Blinded families and getting along. 3. How faith is a key to balance and where to find it.

College baseball is a whole other level for those who have never played in college before. It's not like travel ball, it's not like high school baseball. Everybody's at a whole new level. And everybody is a competitor. Everybody is determined to win. Tucker and Quinn are the pitchers for the baseball team at Lake Sumter State College. I am their chaplain and these guys have a great attitude about life. If you're on the coaching level, FCA level, professor or parent of an athlete, you want to listen to these guys' stories.

Larry and Amanda Stephens are a force in this world. Two world changers that were changing this world before they met. They became best friends, fell in love and grew a family. They are major forces in CRU's world wide movement. How does their marriage survive such pressure. Find out now on YWOF - Youth Worker On Fire! Larry and Amanda mention a great book by Gary Chapman called The Five Love Languages.