Youth Worker On Fire Podcast

The two phrases Brent Crowe says most often are... “Leadership begins at the feet of Jesus.” “Self preservation never changed the world” The reasons behind these phrases are right in line with a God sized World View. Brent Crowe is Vice President of Student Leadership University. He has a lot to do with why Youth Pastor Summit is hosted in major cities all across the United States.  As if that’s not enough, he also has a PhD, two masters degrees, and has written a host of books. Brent speaks all over the nation and is a globetrotter throughout the year. How does he do it all? How does Brent find his RHYTHM? You’ll find out how in this episode! Learn more about Student Leadership University here: https://slulead.com/ Sign Up for Youth Pastor Summit here: https://slulead.com/yps/ _______________________________ 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 Yout

This episode was inspired by Mark Batterson’s book "Not Safe: Discovering God's Dangerous Plan for Your Life". It talks about people who believed God was up to something great and then would take huge leaps of faith at a moments notice.   In business, it's called people who are able to be decisive! People have to learn to make quick decisions when life or God calls for it. Who are you? Someone who questions everything so much until then opportunity is gone?    I hope this excites you about being all in when it comes to faith! _______________________________ 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/Outr

This episode was inspired by a reading from the John Maxwell's "The Maxwell Leadership Bible". If you have this leadership resource, go to 2 Timothy 2:2 and you will see the list of "Leading Followers verses Leading Leaders". I hope that this episode will help you on a path to leading leaders! _______________________________ 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

I took what I knew and I maximized it. I was relentless, because I knew it was the right thing to do. I never felt trained enough nor that I had enough knowledge. God calls us to trust Him and to go with what He has shown us until... He shows us more.  It's like driving in the fog at night in the mountains. Traveling through Blowing Rock, North Carolina at 2:00AM, I would have to rely only on the road I could see with my headlights. I would many times stick my head out of the window to see more clearly, so that I would not fall off the mountain. I had to go with what I knew! In student ministry... I knew this. Students and families would not come to me unless I went to them first. I had to go to them and I was relentless.  I went to high school and middle school campuses 3 to 4 times every week. Then I would go to recitals, ball games, birthday parties, and awards banguets. I was invited to supper by students parents sometimes and I would say yes just to be where they were. I would go and meet principals, tea

"The second you have expectations of others, is the second you’re vulnerable. Expectations of others often leads to deep unhappiness… This doesn’t mean you don’t have standards of how people should act, but it does mean that all the social media dm’s and thousands of expectations out there are drowning weights that give no clear direction. These expectations, often very selfish... are hurting you, upsetting you, and there is such a clear path to happiness. Focus on what you expect from you… not from others around you. If people fail to deliver, you can move on and adjust. Look yourself in the mirror and understand this truth... These expectations come from insecure and selfish frameworks - you are in control of changing this. Do things for others with no expectations. Live life with understanding and compassion when people don’t “deliver”... perspective up!  You’ll be a lot happier not worried about what others are doing live and act for you, not for the expectations of others." - Gary Vaynerchuk There is al

When you are feeling stuck and don’t have the words to pray know this scripture… 26 Also, the Spirit helps us with our weakness. We do not know how to pray as we should. But the Spirit himself speaks to God for us, even begs God for us with deep feelings that words cannot explain. 27 God can see what is in people’s hearts. And he knows what is in the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit speaks to God for his people in the way God wants.” - Romans 8 NCV _______________________________ 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 

We are taught at an early age to be an extrovert... It’s the way to be they say (or something like that). Although, introverted people are typically more thoughtful about who they are, what is happening around them, and caring for others. THEY THINK! People want to listen to them, because those who know them or know about them, know that those introverts have thought through what they are going to say. They leave us with usable information. In history, it has many times been the Introvert who became the most sought after public speaker... the one who would change the world around them. We think of extroverts as the public speakers and life changers, because they are loud and love large groups of people. But throughout history it was and is the Introverted thinker who people seem to be sought after in many cases. The Introvert, by personality trait, is often drained by large rooms or groups of people. They prefer a one-on-one time. They often need no one else around and are quite content. They are often deep

Ken Davis was one of my mentors in my early years. In Gatlinburg, my 2nd year with Youth For Christ / Campus Life, he came out to speak to over 2,000 students and staff.  Before he spoke the first night, he told how he was going to approach us for those 3 nights. Ken said… "But I believe you are ready now." He gave the invitation and over 500 students came to receive Jesus. He sent them to us counselors to receive Jesus and then he spoke to the rest of the audience. This was a monumental time for me as a spiritual leader. It was obedience to God’s Holy Spirit that caused an awakening within those 2,000 students. I was never the same after that night.  My prayer is that God would cause an awakening through you... for the church, christian student organizations, and the community that you serve. _______________________________ 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 fro

All public school teachers are not created equal. They have different talents, teaching styles, and skills. They have different backgrounds and purposes that drive them. Jim Curtis is one of those supreme educators with his students and colleagues in mind. He served during the devastation of Hurricane Andrew in 1992 with us, because his students were going and he wanted to be apart of what they were doing. That is waaaaay over the required work of a teacher! We slept on the floor of a church and served in harsh conditions during an impossible situation. In this episode, Jim shares he and his wife’s experience during our missions trip to South Florida to assist the people of that area that were affected by this natural disaster. He is one of those teachers I loved to be around. I had the privilege of sitting in his classroom on many occasions and was captivated each and every time. Jim is also an avid world traveler... the long time Geography educator and visionary living and experiencing what he teaches on! W

To assist with the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in North Carolina, consider donating to local relief organizations that provide emergency supplies and support to affected families. Volunteering your time to help with cleanup efforts or offering temporary housing can also make a significant difference in the recovery process. "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38) For additional resources on how you can assist, please visit: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/nam/#volunteer-now _______________________________ 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: youthworkeronfir

“Wise as serpents…harmless as doves.” (Matthew 10:16) You will make mistakes in your ministry and in life. Had some of my mistakes been avoided, there were certain events and interactions that would have been life changing for many people. But mistakes have happened to me. Some mistakes were my fault and some were out of my control... and yet still, I was responsible. As a leader of anything, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE! This is one of my most epic mistakes. In this episode, I talk about a personal mistake that was so embarrassing that I have not shared it publicly until now. Some will say, “Awe, get over it! It just wasn’t meant to be.” But when you are fighting to change the world and especially your world around you, you don’t get over that kind of mistake. It follows you wherever you go in your mind and heart. It’s not the only epic fail I have had in my life, but it is the one that still bothers me consistently. Maybe this story will help you carry on from one of your failures or maybe it will make you choose yo

Dad and mom owned a construction business. Dad started at age 11, buying his first piece of property to build his mom her first home to own. When I grew up, at a very early age, I would go to the worksite with dad on the weekends and work all week during the summers for as long as I could remember. We had an unwritten rule… no matter the weather, we worked. I remember working in the blazing heat, the rain, and one time we had to break the ice off of the lumber in the snow to get a job done. Why? Because there was a timeline and a deadline. If we missed it... our family lost money. As a youth pastor in Florida, we were use to the sun, surf, sand, lakes, and hurricanes. Each year we would take students and staff outside of sunny Florida and chase bad weather. You know, stuff we were not use to. Mountain altitude, snow storms, frigid temperatures, hiking up and sliding down mountains. Things that would change it up and put us into another type of environment to talk about how God loves us in all of our seasons a

Jesus's student, Peter, got out of the boat and walked on water toward Jesus. You immediately want to focus on what happened on the way, but I don’t think so…. Everybody else stayed on the boat. The only one who experienced that event completely was Peter. He will always be known as the one who walked on water with Jesus. Many times, figuratively speaking, most of us won’t even get on the boat, or plane, or even start the journey. Why? Because we are afraid of what might happen badly. When we should be looking at the opportunity that God has set out for us. We were “Designed to Do Good Works…” - Ephesians 2:10. This week my niece takes her 9 year old daughter to Africa on a mission trip, because she sees the opportunity. There are many reasons to say this is too dangerous, too scary, too hard or too costly. We all have excuses to not even get in the boat, but Peter walked on water… Why Not You? _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out:

Russ Ewell's first son was born while he and his wife Gail lived in the Washington, DC area. The doctor said to him “Congratulations! You have a son.” Next the doctor said, “He has down syndrome…”. In time, they moved to Silicon Valley. Russ and his wife, Gail’s, journey as parents of two children with special needs led them to start: Spiritual Resource Ministry at Bay Area Christian Church, which offers individuals with special needs and their families the ability to thrive spiritually alongside their neurotypical peers in every area of the church, which they may not otherwise be able to do. E-Sports and E-Life are free, inclusive community programs across the Bay Area enabling kids with special needs to participate in sports and activities alongside their neurotypical peers. Hope Technology School is a private, non-profit, non-sectarian K-12 school, started by Russ and Gail. HTS serves neurotypical kids and kids with special needs from all backgrounds and operates independently of BACC. HTS is reg

God would transition me after he stripped everything... I was secure in a way. Each time He would build me to be a NEW person. Humble and totally dependent on Him. I would go from... strength, to broken insecurity, to desperation, to praying in brokenness, to God opening His doors, and me then walking through them in His strength. That's how He likes us... good and humble. A lot of it is like the story of Jonah found in the Old Testament. I like where I am, I am comfortable, and I am secure. I know who I like and who I don’t like... it all makes sense. When we are those things for a long period of time, as humans, we stop growing. God is all about growth and preparing us for what He designed us to do.  It's possible that there is more to you than you ever imagined! _______________________________ 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 Po

What ever you are building, whether for yourself, your family, or ministry... get your priorities straight! God used Haggai to tell the country of Israel to stop building for themselves and build His tabernacle first. Then He would bless them. They had not seemed to learn their lesson yet, so God reminded them through Haggai. Its the  same for you and I. God wants us to do what He has called us to do first and then He will bless us. (Matthew 6:33) Our human nature says, “When I catch up and have enough time and money... I will, of course, give back to God.” God’s nature says, ”I am waiting to bless you when you give to Me first. I am your source. Believe and give me the first of your everything and I will give all things to the fullest, and finally running over with Blessings.” When will we ever get it right? _______________________________ 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 m

Most of the country is hot this time of the year. Even so, the school year has started. Everything is gearing up for students and families. Let the Hot, Hot, Hot days remind you to find a quiet and cool place to spend time with God.  The more you spend time with God, the more clear your mission will be each day this year. If you are on the other side of the equator, let the cold days be your reminder. (Romans 8:28) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego found out that the furnace of fire was a great place to encounter God. He met them in the fire that was to destroy them and He made it a place of comfort, safety and victory. (Daniel Chapter 3) _______________________________ 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

Heather Strong Clendinen grew up in a Christian home and went to a Christian school. It was at 5 years old, a teacher discovered her gymnastics ability. Her mom enrolled her in gymnastics that year and the rest is history. She was influenced by her parents, her church, a student ministry, FCA at her high school, and Intervarsity Christian Fellowship at Florida State University. Her story is a story of commitment on many levels, several tragedies and the way God pursued her in all the light and dark places. This is one to take notes on. It is packed with stories and information. _______________________________ 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 :

Running your race is different than running in someone elses race. This is the race God has prepared in advance for you to run. (Ephesians 2:10) The more you try to look like, act like and minister like other people, the more you will feel like a fish out of water. God has designed you a certain way to run... Find your groove! Find your rhythm and God will use yiu in amazing ways you did not think possible. _______________________________ 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

Simone Biles (Team USA Gymnast) was hit by the mental block called "the twisties" (a Gymnastics term) during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Since then, according to a recent interview given by Simone, "Life has not been easy".  The twisties happens when a gymnast is in midair and loses their sense of where they are and how they'll land, making the move risky. Biles described it as being "lost in the air." In our calling to lead students to a spiritual awakening in Jesus Christ, we can do more than God is asking and burn ourselves out. We should see all students as potential Simone Biles types. Far beyond the average, but help them become even more by being full of God’s power. (24) Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! (25) All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. - 1 Corinthians 9:24,25 _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You