Youth Worker On Fire Podcast

This TV series caught my attention... "Bear Grylls Survival School"! Series Description: A group of brave children leave technology at home and embark upon an adventure in the wild. For two weeks, they must work as a team while Bear Grylls teaches them skills they'll need to survive. This podcast episode will help you understand that you can ask more of your students... You SHOULD ask more of your students! Those who are ready will rise to the occasion. Through out history (especially Biblical history), we see young men and women take on huge, painful decisions and tasks as God strengthened and honor them. How much more can you ask of yourself, your staff, and your students? _______________________________ 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

It’s difficult discipling teenage guys (young men). Dr. Jonathan Denton, Assistant Professor at Charleston Southern University, who wrote a book on the topic, says "We ask for too small of a commitment. We have to set the bar high for them." Dr. Denton's background is impressive! The courses he teaches, the books he has written, and his seasoned (20+ year) full-time student minstry experience... and that only covers a small portion of his acheviements.  He majored in Civil Engineering at Clemson University, he was a youth pastor for 10 Years at a church in Mississippi and he is currently an Assistant Professor of Christian Studies/Student Ministry at Charleston Southern University. On top of that... Dr. Denton is sought after communicator, all of this while raising 2 boys along with his wife. For the past 3 years, Jonathan also has been a part of Youth Pastor Summit (YPS) where he leads break out sessions at their trainings across the country. YPS is developed by Student Leadership University (SLU) under the

Human Being or Human Doing? ... Kelsey O’Connor said it best in her commencement speech at NC State University. She suffered a career ending brain injury while playing softball for the NC State Wolfpack. After she recovered... she understood more about life. Everyone wants to know... What Are You Going To Do In Life? Very few ask ... Who Are You Going To Be? That is where this episode comes in! Hopefully we can take a moment to reflect on who we want to be and see if that changes what we are going to do in life. Kelsey O'Connor - NC State University Commencement Speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHudhietNso _______________________________ 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 S

Avery Hooper is a brilliant young lady who knows how to face obstacles and overcome them! Her father and mother led the way spiritually and familiarized her with Jesus Christ as Savior of the world. They also led the path of student ministry in her life through church and their own involvement in FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) and CRU (formally known as Campus Crusade For Christ), which are both national and international evangelism organizations.  Avery has been a leader in FCA since middle school and is now on her way to the University of Colorado at Boulder. There she has determined to be a part of CRU and work on her degree in Biomedical Engineering... in which she has incredible dreams of how she plans to advance and enhance people's lives in a HUGE way with this degree! Listen as Avery tells us about her journey with Christ. Listen as she tells about her obstacles with public speaking and how God strategically kept teaching her go take the platform. _______________________________ Looking for a

The past few weeks have been very, good, hard, motivating, hurtful, joyful and inspiring. In other words, “Normal... with a bit of an edge". Matthew 6:24 - 7:14 NLT - “…God cares more about you…” “NOW” matters! Jesus said, “Why are you worrying about what you wear or what you are going to eat? God clothes the lillies of the field and He cares more about you…”, but we worry anyway.  This is about seeing what is around you in this exact moment. The more we spend time with God now, the more we are secure and at peace with God taking care of us now... and in the future. When we are driven, because we have a calling that God has placed in us, that is different than worrying about what we do not understand. More time spent with God, takes care of the past, the present, and the future. More dependence on God every moment of every day gives us a drive that we cannot create without him.  “For we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose

In 1 Kings 19:10-18, God tells Elijah that He will speak to Elijah on the mountain. So Elijah climbs the mountain! Some big and loud and terrifying things happen, but God is not in any of those things. Elijah hears a gentle breeze and he knows that this is God and he comes out from hiding. God often speaks in a whisper. I think because He likes the intimacy with us. There are a few times in my life I have heard the whisper. It was so clear. It was the 2 times I mention in this episode that His whisper would change the direction I was going. The first Whisper said “Will you stay?” when I wanted to go. 24 years later in the middle of a board meeting, God would whisper, ”It's Over.”  I knew what that meant. This whisper meant it was time to go.  How many times has He whispered to you. Have you ignored the whisper or did you obey Him when He whispered. The choice is always ours. _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministr

Youth Pastor Summit is a premier conference and training for next gen pastors, youth pastors, educators, and their teams. Youth Pastor Summit (presented by Student Leadership University) is conference designed to encourage and equip every leader. This conference includes breakout / small group sessions, labs, worship, lunch, fun activities (free day at Universal Studios Orlando we chat about in this episode), and free resources for student ministries. Our team here at the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast have been to this conference many times, as well as, had many students attend Student Leadership University at their locations all over the world! Caleb Turner of Factory Church (located in Concord/Charlotte, North Carolina), who we interviewed a few months ago (EP 195), went to his first Youth Pastor Summit this year (2024). In this episode, we dive into Caleb's firsthand experience at YPS Orlando, Florida and how it has enhanced his vision for student ministry. If you haven’t been to a Youth Pastor Summit, then

There’s an old saying that still stands true, “Facts tell and STORIES SELL.” Jesus often told stories, some as parables, to illustrate the truth of God. There was no written Bible for many years after Jesus died and rose from the dead. It was the stories by word-of-mouth and the reading of the Old Testament, Jewish scriptures, and letters of the apostles, which were not highly distributed amongst the people. They would recite them or tell others about those letters from memory. In the first 70 years, there were witnesses to the events. Their stories changed the world! The stories that are developing in student ministry matter. It’s important that you tell stories and let your students share their stories with the people who support you. The stories of your students and their families will transform your churches and communities. Don’t under estimate the power of a truly great (and honest) story! _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out

You may be an amazing speaker. You are probably an incredible person, but people listen and believe you are who you are when other people, students, staff, parents and colleagues say great things about you (what you and/or your ministry have accomplished). It’s still happening to me. People are still talking about good things, God things, that we accomplished. We accomplished the most and gained the most in all of the ministries that I headed up when student’s started publicly telling how their lives were changed. I could talk all day about these moments, but it was their testimony, their witness, that changed the course and growth of all we did in Jesus name. It will happen to you. Stay true. Stay the course. Let others talk! _______________________________ 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 ____

“Do for others what you want them to do for you.” Have you ever had someone hold a door open for you when your hands or arms were full? Felt pretty good knowing someone cared. How many doors have you held open for people? Some of those doors you opened were emotional, spiritual, life changing, job or vocation changing doors. This episode includes a NASA scientist, his 3 interns, and a 75 year study on relationships and love. Lastly, it includes 2 young business ladies who talk about the lies taught to their generation. Opening Doors will change your life! _______________________________ 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 http

Mackenzie Balmer was a girl who grew up without the church. When she encountered Jesus, she found out that God had a wonderful plan for her life already in place. She and her husband Zane have a unique love story and they both have a ministry profession. Mackenzie is with Apex Missions for students with the EFCA (Evangelival Free Church of America). She helps youth pastors and their youth groups get onto the national and international mission field. She also works with Apex's Mission and Leadership Team and their "TEN:Two Team", so students can serve Christ and His Church during the summer. Listen in as we dive into Mackenzie's story!   ____________________________________________________   You can learn more about Apex Missions here: www.apexmissions.org You can connect with Mackenzie and the Apex Team at: apex@efca.org   ____________________________________________________   Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder’s Guidebook” here

This episode is about taking action! Especially, acting like (aka modeling) the person you want your children and/or students to be like. “Do what I say and not what I do!” Was an old saying. It didn’t work when it was popular and it doesn’t work now. What do you want your children, grandchildren, students, volunteer staff to be like? Whatever that is... you need to be modeling exactly that. You will start seeing the results! Jesus modeled to his disciples, family and friends who he wanted them to be. You do the same and you will see the results. _______________________________ 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.l

25 years seems like a long time until you compare it to history. We overestimate what we can accomplish in a year and under estimate what we can accomplish in 10 years. Time and longevity matter! Invest in teenagers and your personal future will change. Life changing events happen. Students grow up and in a few years after school, they are making decisions that change all of our lives. When you plant the seeds... God grows the people like compounding interest. Trust that God is doing a good work!   _______________________________ 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 : 

How does an Oncologist end up on a podcast like this? Why would she take her precious time to give to us her knowledge and kindness? Great questions!    Dr. Sarah Friend (formally Sarah Cooke) was a student in the youth ministry I was the pastor of. She gives great credit to my wonderful wife, Colleen, for disciplining her during high school. She talks highly of our adventurous mission trips and student ski trips. She gives her time to us, because we gave our time to her when it counted most during her teenage years.   What I consistently told our volunteer staff and church was that the students we poured our life into deserved to be respected and treated as though they were world changers. I said much more about the things and leaders our students would become and Sarah is a great example of why long term commitment to student ministry in one place, for as long as God wants you there, is important and necessary.   In this episode, Sarah shares about her time in student ministry, about her journey to becomin

Having fun with students is hard work... Gettting students to laugh along with you and/or making them smile is even harder! Why does it matter? When you get students to laugh or smile it raises their IQ levels... no joke! According a study, it makes a person 31% smarter.  When you make someone smarter, they feel better about themselves... and about you. That’s why you hear most public communicators tell a joke or a funny story. They are engaging the crowd. They are winning the crowd over.  Youth Workers have to win the crowd over every time they meet with students. It’s not a one time thing... it’s an every time thing. The Apostle Paul said that, “Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible… I have become all things to all people, so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessing.” - 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 NIV We laugh with them and engage with them, so that they might hear w

Organizations and churches want to save money, so they try to hire people for one thing and put too many hats on them... that way they don’t have to spend more on staff. As a result, they complain about everything, because you are doing "little to nothing" well. That responsibility lies on those who hire without the faith to believe that God wants to do more. It’s your responsibility to say “No” to everything you are not called to do. If you say yes, it will not end. You will not be able to do anything with excellence for long. So... NICHE DOWN! If you are new in a ministry, focuse for the first 2 years on what you do best. Work most with the type of staff and students that you relate most with. Focus on that type of student... such as the leadership types, art lovers, sports enthusiasts, academic thriving, technology driven, music performance, mechanical, social media aware, homeschooled, private schooled, public school. Not all of those… but one of those at least one day a week. When that works, then start

Breaking Strong Holds… Maybe you have been praying for someone or for a certain person to have an encounter with God. An encounter life changing that it would have them seeking to ask Jesus Christ personally in their heart. Has it maybe seemed like it’s taking forever? Not even a sign of hope? Jim Halstead (Founder of Go and Tell Ministries) asked Jesus into his heart in 1976. He started praying for his family to ask Jesus in their heart in 1977.... this brings us now to 2024. This is how long it took for his sister to ask Jesus into her heart. We discuss in this episode how each and every person has a different timetable when it comes to their spiritual change. Why do some people take so long? Why do some people seem to accept this life changing moment so quickly? When strong holds are broken with one person, it sets off a ripple effect, strongholds are broken with not just one person, but many people! Learn more about Go and Tell Ministries at: https://goandtellministries.org/ ______________________________

During a recent interview between Erika from "Erika Taught Me" and Chris Voss (Author of "Never Spilt The Difference" and a former FBI Hostage Negotiator), she asks this question: Chris, how do you use these special communication methods that you've developed during your time as a hostage negotiator in your every day life? We dive deep into these every day methods and practices in this episode! John Chapter 4 - Jesus, talks to “the woman at the well.” A very well-known Jesus encounter and community transformation. He saw her and let her know that he knew who she was. He brought out her true feelings. She felt seen and heard. Verse 15: The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” Verse 16: He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back. Verse 17: “I have no husband,” she replied. She was  amazed that he actually saw her, knew who she was and still treated her as though she still mattered. She was so taken back that she told her enti

Caleb Turner is the Youth Director at Factory Church located in Concord, North Carolina, USA (a suburb of Charlotte, North Carolina). Caleb has been in full time student ministry for a little over one year at the time of this recording and we cannot wait to share with you his life story here on the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast! Saved by his adoptive mother first and then saved eternally by Jesus, Caleb was mentored by his Sunday school teacher Andy Williamson, who is now his senior pastor at Factory Church. Andy had a vision that Caleb was to be the Youth Pastor at Factory Church. Listen as Caleb's story unfolds in this podcast episode, as we dive into how his student ministry and life journey are just beginning. God has already and still is creating good works for Caleb to do in Christ Jesus! _______________________________ Connect with Caleb on social meda here: https://www.instagram.com/c_turner56/ Learn more about Factory Church here: https://thefactorychurch.com/about/ Check out Factory Youth here: https

Jeff Bezos, the founder owner of Amazon, understands and believes in the difference between a Calling and a Career. If a great business man believes in a calling, how much more should we? Are you called to serving others and adventure? Or are you stuck, because you can’t see beyond a pay check? Jesus said an earthly father knows how to give good gifts to his children. How much more does your Heavenly Father give good gifts beyond imagination to his children?  Ask God for His passion with in and His Calling for you in this world. Ephesians 2:10 and Psalm 139 Jesus said “Greater works will you do…..” _______________________________ 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 a