Student Ministry Podcast

Camps, mission trips, and retreats are great for those times when we can get away and spend longer uninterrupted time with a group of leaders and students. But how do we make it through those times without feeling incredibly tired and burned out? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve offers 3 tips that can help you not only survive but thrive during camps and extended ministry programs. He also provides some other resources and reads some tips provided by some of our community.  Links referenced in this episode:  Episode 34: Overcoming Burnout with James Sabin - https://studentministryconnection.com/podcast/034-overcoming-burnout-with-james-sabin/ Episode 90: Avoiding Burnout with James Sabin - https://studentministryconnection.com/podcast/090-avoiding-burnout-with-james-sabin/ Youth Ministry SoulKeeper Podcast - https://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com/youth-ministry-soul-keeper  Free Refills Podcast - https://www.youthworkers.net/podcast.htm  The Art of Rest by Adam Mabry - https://amzn.to/

How do we prepare for camp, what do we do during camp, and what is our process for following up and evaluating after camp? It's important to have dedicated experiences within student ministry like camps, mission trips, retreats, and more. On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Jeff Harding, of the Youth Ministry Maverick podcast, shares some wise tips on preparation, engagement, and follow-up as we dive into the secrets of a successful camp experience.  Links referenced in this episode:  Check out Jeff's Youth Ministry Maverick podcast at https://youthministrymaverick.com  Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at http://nnym.org/stevecullum  Sign up to get Steve's NNYM newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter  Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport  Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting at https://bit.ly/cullumcontact  Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com  Follow Steve on Twitter: @stevecullum  Follow Student Ministry Con

How do I start a youth group? How do I re-build a student ministry? How do I go from being a volunteer to the paid youth pastor? What should I focus on when starting a youth ministry? How do I go from ministering at one church to another one? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve gives 5 tips addressing these questions.  Links referenced in this episode:  Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at http://nnym.org/stevecullum  Sign up to get Steve and Yvette's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter  Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport  Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting at https://bit.ly/cullumcontact  Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com  Follow Steve on Twitter: @stevecullum  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: @studentministryconnection  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Twitter: @stuminconnect  Be sure to join us in prayer for revival every Wednesday at 11am PT, 12pm MT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET. 

Picture this… You’ve gone to a conference, or you’ve read this amazing book, you found a great curriculum, or you heard about this awesome event from another youth pastor, or even from a podcast. And you’re so excited to put it into practice, but then it fails. What happened? More than likely, you didn’t contextualize the idea for your ministry. On this episode, Brooklyn Lindsey joins Steve to talk about adapting ministry ideas for your own context.   Links referenced in this episode:  Follow Brooklyn on Instagram at @brooklynlindsey  Check out Brooklyn's work at stuffyoucanuse.org  Check out Coy and Brooklyn's church at somos.church  Find a network or start one at http://nnym.org  Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at http://nnym.org/stevecullum  Sign up to get Steve and Yvette's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter  Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport  Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting at https://bit.ly/cullumcontact  Read

Are you struggling to connect with others doing student ministry in your community? On this "quick-hit" episode, we'll share a couple tips on how to find other youth leaders in your area to get connected and begin collaborating for a more impactful ministry.   Links referenced in this episode:  Find a network or start one at http://nnym.org  Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at http://nnym.org/stevecullum  Sign up to get Steve and Yvette's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter  Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport  Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting at https://bit.ly/cullumcontact  Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com  Follow Steve on Twitter: @stevecullum  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: @studentministryconnection  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Twitter: @stuminconnect  Be sure to join us in prayer every Wednesday at 11am PT, 12pm MT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET.  Sponsor for this episode of podcast: G Sha

Middle schoolers can be an interesting bunch, can’t they? One moment, they are bouncing off the walls; and the next, you can have a really meaningful conversation with them about their purpose in the world. And sometimes, those are happening at the exact same time. On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, we talk with Heather Mahoney about how middle school ministry has changed over the years, what to keep in mind when working with middle schoolers, and share a few tips to maximize your ministry.  Links mentioned during this episode:  Email Heather at heather@crossroadsgrace.org  Follow Heather on Instagram - @heatherthemahoney  Follow Heather on Twitter - @ettermahoney  Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM in episode 105 and at http://nnym.org/stevecullum  Sign up to get Steve's NNYM ministry newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter  Support Steve's ministry with NNYM by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport  Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting at ht

Steve has recently answered God's call to be a full-time missionary with National Network of Youth Ministries. So today on the podcast, he'll explain what led to this decision, why this mission is so important within the world of student ministry, what he will be doing as a missionary, and share some ways you can support and partner with the ministry.  Links mentioned during this episode:  Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at http://nnym.org/stevecullum  Sign up to get Steve and Yvette's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter  Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport  Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting at https://bit.ly/cullumcontact  Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com  Follow Steve on Twitter: @stevecullum  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: @studentministryconnection  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Twitter: @stuminconnect  Be sure to join us in prayer every Wednesday at 11am PT, 12pm MT, 1pm CT, 2p

Would you like to recruit more volunteers and build a thriving team to reach even more teenagers for Jesus? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve is joined by Nick Blevins, author of The Volunteer Playbook, co-founder of Ministry Boost, and NextGen Pastor at Community Christian Church in Baltimore, MD, to discuss how to better recruit, train, and empower ministry volunteers.  Links mentioned during this episode: Buy a copy of The Volunteer Playbook at https://amzn.to/40phLLy  Win a copy of The Volunteer Playbook (until May 2, 2023) at https://bit.ly/volunteer-playbook-giveaway  Check out The Volunteer Playbook website at http://volunteerplaybook.com  Check out Ministry Boost at http://ministryboost.org  Check out Nick's website at https://nickblevins.com  Check out Nick's Family Ministry Podcast at https://nickblevins.com/family-ministry-podcast  Follow Nick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/nickblevins  Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com  Follow Steve on Twitter: https://twitter.com/s

How do you define success in ministry? Are you always striving for higher attendance and bigger programs? Or is ministry success something different? On this episode, we’ll talk with Dan Istvanik about what success should look like in student ministry and how you can begin to measure the right things to know whether you are succeeding or not.  Links mentioned during this episode: Email Dan at distvanik@youthminhub.com  Check out Youth Ministry Hub at https://youthminhub.com  Follow Dan & Youth Min Hub on Twitter: @YouthMinHub  Follow Dan & Youth Min Hub on Instagram: @Youth_Min_Hub  Book Dan to speak at https://youthminhub.com/speaking  Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com  Follow Steve on Twitter: @stevecullum  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: @studentministryconnection  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Twitter: @stuminconnect  Be sure to join us in prayer from wherever you are every Wednesday at 11am PT, 12pm MT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET.  Sponsor for this episode of podcast: G S

How do we get our students to have faith that so contagious for those they are around? And what kind of an impact could they make if they lived out that type of faith? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, we talk with Dr. Dave Rahn, who has served for over 50 years, including 41 years with Youth for Christ and 30 years as a youth ministry professor. Dave shares his own amazing story and provides some encouragement on how to help students share their faith and make a huge impact on their community. Links mentioned during this episode: Follow Dave on Twitter: @drrahnyfc  Purchase Dave's books at https://amzn.to/3Tt61Wr  Listen to Dave's "Fresh Catch 2.0" podcast at https://www.buzzsprout.com/894058  Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com  Follow Steve on Twitter: @stevecullum  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: @studentministryconnection  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Twitter: @stuminconnect  Be sure to join us in prayer from wherever you are every Wednesday at 11am PT, 1

With all of the revival talk recently, many Christians are left wondering if it’s real; and if it is, how can we get the same thing to happen in our communities. Maybe you’re wondering the same thing about your youth group or church? On this episode, we talk about one key element of revivals throughout history and why it’s so important. Links mentioned during this episode: Enter our big episode 100 giveaway (until March 10, 2023) at https://bit.ly/stuminconnect100  Watch the J. Edwin Orr video from the 1976 National Prayer Congress at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FW9Bb5tkOO4  Read a summary of historical revivals and the characteristics of them at https://maninthemirror.org/2023/02/21/looking-at-asbury-longing-for-revival/  Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com  Follow Steve on Twitter: @stevecullum  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: @studentministryconnection  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Twitter: @stuminconnect  Be sure to join us in prayer every Wednesday at 11am PT, 12pm

Welcome to episode 100 of Student Ministry Connection, a podcast for those who serve in student ministry, want to connect, and desire to grow. On this very special episode, we talk with Kevin Miles, a veteran youth worker about the importance of networking within student ministry; celebrate by giving a bunch of prizes; and announce some ways you can support the podcast moving forward!  Links mentioned during this episode: Enter our big episode 100 giveaway (until March 10, 2023) at https://bit.ly/stuminconnect100  Enter to win a copy of Know Thy Gamer (until February 28, 2023) at https://bit.ly/gamer98  Find out more about NNYM at http://nnym.org  Email Kevin at kmiles@nnym.org  Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com  Follow Steve on Twitter: @stevecullum  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: @studentministryconnection  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Twitter: @stuminconnect  Sponsor for this episode of podcast: G Shades - https://gshades.org (Use code CONNECTION to save $20 off your

Back in the 1970’s, a movement began that led to a revolution, a Jesus Revolution. Time Magazine wrote about it, several books have been written about it, and now we have a movie depicting it. On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, we talk with Brent McCorkle, the co-director of Jesus Revolution, to hear his story, learn why you should see the movie, understand why it’s important students see this movie, and more!  Brent also co-wrote, co-edited, directed 2nd unit, and composed the original score for I Can Only Imagine. He also worked on Woodlawn, Unconditional, and Steve McQueen: American Idol. And today, he joins us to talk about Jesus Revolution, a historical retelling of The Jesus Movement that swept the United States in the late 60’s and early 70s, which stars Kelsey Grammer (Fraiser), Joel Courtney (The Kissing Booth), Jonathan Roumie (The Chosen), Kimberly Williams Paisley (Father of the Bride), and Anna Grace Barlow (Supernatural) and releases in theaters across the United States on February

Video games have been a growing influence our culture for a while now. Ever since the 1970s, kids have been jumping into virtual worlds to compete with others, go on adventures, solve puzzles, and more. And while there are many positives about games, there are also many negatives. So how do we navigate that with the students in our youth group and how to we help parents navigate it with their kids? Our guest on this episode is Drew Dixon, author of the book, Know Thy Gamer: A Parent's Guide to Video Games. Drew is an avid gamer himself, is a father of gamers, co-founder of Love Thy Nerd, and has a history of serving in student ministry. In addition to sharing about his book, he provides some valuable tips for helping you and the parents in your ministry. Links mentioned during this episode: Buy Drew's book at https://amzn.to/3wraCgU  Enter to win a free copy of Drew's book (until February 28, 2023) at https://gleam.io/0fUpk/know-thy-gamer-book-giveaway  Follow Drew on Twitter: @_drewdixon  Learn more about Lo

Isn’t it awesome when we see God use students to answer longtime prayers? On this episode we share a story about how God did just that through a 9 Month Mission Trip in a high school, and He wants to do the same through your students as well. Links mentioned during this episode: Read more about 9 Month Mission Trip at https://www.9monthmissiontrip.com  Download the 9 Month Mission Trip app at https://get.theapp.co/tbyh  Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com Follow Steve on Twitter: @stevecullum  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: @studentministryconnection  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Twitter: @stuminconnect  Sponsor for this episode of podcast: G Shades - https://gshades.org (Use code CONNECTION to save $20 off your next order)  Note: Some of the links above are affiliate links. By clicking them, Steve may receive commission to support this ministry.  Subscribe on your favorite podcast app, including these listed below:   Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Podbean Spotify Amazon P

What would it be like to at the same church for a really long time, getting to know those students and families in that community, partnering with schools and other local organizations, and impacting generation upon generation? Whether you are just starting out and have dreams of longevity or if you’ve been in it for a while, this episode will provide everyone with a few ideas to help you stick with student ministry for the long haul, because it is so very worth it!  Links mentioned during this episode:  Connect with Jim on Facebook: @jim.purtle  DYM's Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/493666560814931  Jim's church website - eldochurch.com  Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com  Follow Steve on Twitter: @stevecullum  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: @studentministryconnection  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Twitter: @stuminconnect  Sponsor for this episode of podcast: G Shades - https://gshades.org (Use code CONNECTION to save $20 off your next order)  Note: Some

How do we get it all done? There are always so many things to do in student ministry and some of us are left asking that question on a regular basis. While we cannot control everything, there are a couple things that we can begin to take control of that will help us significantly in the area of time management. And when we begin to see results in these two areas, we'll begin to have more time for connection with others and to grow more as leaders.  Links mentioned during this episode: Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com  Follow Steve on Twitter: @stevecullum  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: @studentministryconnection  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Twitter: @stuminconnect  Sponsor for this episode of podcast: G Shades - https://gshades.org (Use code CONNECTION to save $20 off your next order)  Note: Some of the links above are affiliate links. By clicking them, Steve may receive commission to support this ministry.  Subscribe on your favorite podcast app, including these list

We all know our student ministries shouldn’t be solely run by adults. We need to raise up student leaders. But how do we do that? What does it look like? How do we start it, how do we tweak it, and what things do we need to have in place for it to succeed? In this episode of Student Ministry Connection, we share 5 ideas around student leadership that we encourage you to consider—whether this is your first time around or if you’re looking to improve your existing student leadership. Links mentioned during this episode: Learn more about Leadertreks' "Leadership Labs" - https://www.leadertreks.org/blog-reimagine-student-leadership/  Download Youth Ministry's gold membership, which includes Leadertreks' curriculum - https://dymmembership.com/  Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com  Follow Steve on Twitter: @stevecullum  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: @studentministryconnection  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Twitter: @stuminconnect  Sponsor for this episode of podcast: G Shades -

What happens when you fail, when things aren’t going so well--whether it’s your fault or your unfortunate situation? When you start to feel like you’re a failure, you may also begin questioning your call to ministry. But what if God was still in control and still had plans for you? On this episode, we talk about failure, because we’ve all been there; and if we’re honest, sometimes it gets really tough to navigate. With the help of today’s guest, Mike Haynes, we’re going to share some ways to navigate failure in student ministry.   Links mentioned during this episode: Follow Mike on Instagram: @mikeehaynes  More of Mike on episode 32 - https://bit.ly/student-ministry-connection-32-mike-haynes  More of Mike on episode 55 - https://bit.ly/student-ministry-connection-55-mike-haynes  Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com  Follow Steve on Twitter: @stevecullum  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: @studentministryconnection  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Twitter: @stuminconnect  Sponsor

How can we use social media in a way to really advance our ministry to students without it becoming an overwhelming beast that always demands our attention? In other words, how can we use it as a tool to advance our mission rather than it taking over? On this solo episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve shares 10 social media tips for those in lead in student ministry.  Links mentioned during this episode: First Few Years website - http://1stfewyears.com  Episode 86 with Dave Adamson - https://studentministryconnection.com/podcast/086-metachurch-student-ministry-with-dave-adamson/  Download Youth Ministry's gold membership, which includes social media content - https://dymmembership.com/  Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com  Follow Steve on Twitter: @stevecullum  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: @studentministryconnection  Follow Student Ministry Connection on Twitter: @stuminconnect  Sponsor for this episode of podcast: G Shades - https://gshades.org (Use code CONNECTION to sa