Rooted Youth Ministry: Recent Episodes
Rooted Ministry
The Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast aims to advance gospel centered youth ministry by equipping and empowering youth ministers and parents to faithfully disciple students toward lifelong faith in Jesus Christ. The Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast is part of the Rooted Family of Podcasts which also includes Ask Alice, All About Boys and Thanos to Theos. For more grace filled, gospel-centered, Bible saturated resources be sure to visit www.rootedministry.com.
Cultural waves are constantly changing — now more rapidly than ever. The messages teenagers hear and absorb from every screen and relationship in their lives shapes them at a fundamental level. They learn what to laugh at, who and how to love, and what’s worth weeping over and celebrating from messages both subtle and overt. Ministering in this context requires youth ministers and parents to carefully critique and connect these messages to their fulfillment in Jesus—in other words, we need to do cultural apologetics. In this workshop, we will explore the need for cultural apologetics and how it can be practiced in big and small ways in your ministry today.
Skyler Reed Flowers (MDiv, Reformed Theological Seminary) is the program director for The Carson Center for Theological Renewal and cohort director for all TGC cohorts. He serves as an elder at Grace Bible Church in Oxford, Mississippi and is working toward his Ph.D. in systematic theology at the University of Aberdeen. He served as an editor for The Gospel After Christendom. He is married to Brianna, and they have three kids.
Cultural Narratives and Youth Ministry by Kendal Conner
Three Truths for Parents and Children in a Changing Cultural Climate by Joey Turner
Youth Pastor, Your Students Need Apologetics by Bradley Blaylock
Acts 17:22-31
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Register for Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Josh, Danny, and Isaiah discuss the unique pressures youth workers face during ministry planning season. From comparing your ministry to others to feeling the constant need to do more, they explore how leaders can build healthy, sustainable ministry rhythms that prioritize faithfulness over busyness. Together, they offer practical encouragement for protecting your soul while preparing for a new ministry year.
Letter to a Youth Worker Experiencing Burnout
I’m Tired! A Look At The Spiritual Discipline Of Biblical Rest
Essential Practices of Good Youth Ministry
Follow the YMU podcast and download it wherever you find your podcasts
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Walking with a teenager through body image struggles is a powerful discipleship opportunity, but oftentimes, it is hard to know how to connect it to God’s Word. How do we offer hope and comfort when we hear teenagers‘ cries of despair, anger, anxiety, or self-hatred about their bodies? This workshop will explore how the Bible’s storyline of Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration speaks to body image concerns. Using this framework, we will connect teenagers to why God made them, what happened to our relationship with our bodies in the Fall, how Christ redeems our thoughts about our bodies, and what restoration looks like. Together, we will see how the weightiness of body image struggles provides an opportunity to display the power of God’s Word and the beauty of the gospel.
Resources:
Body Image & Eating Disorders in Your Child - Rooted Ministry
Body Image and God’s Word: Offering Hope, Comfort, and Truth to Teens - Rooted Ministry
Body Image In the Image of God - Rooted Ministry
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates
Register for Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Rebecca, Josh, and Danny discuss the summer-to-fall youth ministry transition as well as topics such as breaks for volunteers, finding rest and vacation time for youth ministry leaders, and end-of-summer youth group activities. They conclude with a discussion about being an outdoor person or beach person and how it might relate to their youth ministry programs.
Summer’s Breaking Potential for Youth Pastors
Letter to a Youth Worker Experiencing Burnout
Follow the YMU podcast and download it wherever you find your podcasts
Join us for the Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville, Oct. 22nd to 24th.
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In an age in which many young people drift from the church after high school, the call to intentional church membership is not optional—it’s a gospel imperative. This workshop will explore how the good news of Jesus not only saves but also plants youth deeply in the life of the local church for a lifetime of growth and mission. We’ll unpack biblical foundations for membership, confront common cultural and generational obstacles, and equip leaders to guide students toward committed, covenantal belonging. By rooting our next generation in the gospel and the local body, we shape a trajectory of perseverance, maturity, and kingdom impact that extends far beyond their teenage years.
Resources:
Ask Rooted: How Do You Incorporate Teenagers Into Corporate Worship?
The Necessity of Intergenerational Integration for Discipling Teenagers - Rooted Ministry
The Multi-Directional Blessings of Intergenerational Integration - Rooted Ministry
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates
Register for Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Josh Hussung, Danny Kwon, and Isaiah Marshall discuss how to build a youth ministry year with purpose rather than simply filling a calendar with events. The conversation explores intentional planning, discipleship priorities, common mistakes leaders make during planning season, and practical ways to create a ministry year that helps students grow in their faith and walk with Jesus.
Youth Ministry Nuts and Bolts, Revised and Updated: Organizing, Leading, and Managing Your Youth Ministry (Youth Specialties) by Duffy Robbins
Planning Your Annual Calendar in Youth and Family Ministry by Renee Imbesi
Follow the YMU podcast and download it wherever you find your podcasts.
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
No one can do children’s ministry alone. How does a children’s ministry staff shoulder the weight of discipling the people under their care? There is an art to recruiting, placing, supporting, and developing serving partners to care well for our children and families. We also want them to become an integral part of a discipleship ministry team and find a place of belonging themselves. In this workshop, recorded at the 2025 Rooted Conference in Chicago, we examined practical ways to collectively share both the burden and privilege of ministry in the local church.
Melanie Beasley believes ministry is an art. She is the Children’s Ministry Director at Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville Tennessee, bringing to her role more than 15 years of experience in education, curriculum development, and Children’s Ministry, split between Birmingham, Chicago, Hong Kong, and Tennessee. Her passion in ministry is to disciple and care for both children and families in the church as well as the ministry partners she and her staff team recruit, develop, equip, and lead. She and her husband and children live in Franklin, Tennessee, with her puppy, Penny.
Equipping the Saints: Serving Your Volunteers In Children’s Ministry by Melanie Beasley
A Word of Encouragement to Weary Children’s Ministers - Rooted Ministry
A Testimony of Calling to Children's Ministry Beyond My Ability
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates
Register for Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In this main stage message from the 2025 Rooted Conference, Chelten Carter walks through Acts 11:19–30 and 13:1–3 to reveal how God multiplies His Church. He emphasizes that multiplication is inevitable because persecution cannot stop it, people will be perplexed by it, and God’s power is displayed through it. This message encourages leaders to trust God’s unstoppable work as He continues to grow His Church in both expected and unexpected ways.
Chelten currently serves Progressive Baptist Church on the South Side of Chicago as the Director of Discipleship for the Youth and as a minister to the church at-large. A life-long learner, Chelten received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Indiana University and continued to complete his Master of Divinity from Moody Theological Seminary. Chelten is married to his beautiful and brilliant bride Emmanuella Carter of 8 years and loves to play basketball and read.
Rooted Resources:
Luke & Acts: A ROOTED YEARLONG CURRICULUM
Three Reasons to Teach Acts in Your Youth Group by Tucker Fleming
Youth Ministry in the Power of the Spirit by Seth Stewart
@therootedministry on Instagram for more updates
Register for Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In this session, Rebecca, Josh, Isaiah, and Danny discuss how to best handle crises in their ministries. Youth ministers often play the first responder role, and it’s crucial to think proactively of how to handle a crisis well, whether it be with a student, a family tragedy, or leadership.
Resources:
Ministering to Students in Crisis - Rooted Ministry
Dr. Gordon Bals on Discussing Grief with Teenagers: Grieving, in the life of a teenager, can result from many events (not just death). In this podcast Anna Harris (Rooted Parent Editor) speaks with the remarkable Dr. Gordon Bals about bringing the gospel to a grieving teenager. Dr. Bals specializes in grief, trauma, and religious and spiritual issues.
How Are We Preparing Our Kids For Suffering in this World with Michelle Reyes: Examining 1 Peter 4:1-19, author and speaker Dr. Michelle Reyes discusses how Christians suffer at the hands of non-believers, the ways that the believing community should care for each other as fellow suffering Christians, and how to find hope in the midst of suffering.
Adopt the "first responder" model for crisis care.
Establish a clear communication protocol with church leadership.
Prioritize presence and prayer with families in crisis.
Proactively set boundaries and recovery practices for personal well-being.
Consider Rooted's mentorship program for support.
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In this main stage message from the 2025 Rooted Conference, Liz Edrington walks through Acts 10:10–20, 27–28, and 34–36 to show how God works to deepen unity among His people. She highlights how we often prefer what is familiar, while Christ is leading us toward His Kingdom. Through this passage, Liz reveals a pattern of how God deepens our relationship with Him in order to unify us with others, calling the Church to embrace His redemptive vision.
Liz Edrington serves as the Associate Director of Care for McLean Presbyterian Church. She received her M.A. in Counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida, and she’s taught as an adjunct professor in the psychology department at Covenant College. She is an emeritus member of the Rooted steering committee, and she’s the author of Anxiety: Finding the Better Story (P&R Publishing, 2023), which won The Gospel Coalition 2023 Book Award for Bible Study & Devotional Literature. Pickled things delight her, as does her snuggle beast, Bella the Dog.
Unity and the Gospel: Two Safeguards to Teach Our Students by Taylor Mendoza
Mediating in a Divided World and a Divided Home by Clark Fobes
Luke & Acts: A ROOTED YEARLONG CURRICULUM
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates
Register for Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In this episode of YMU, Danny, Isaiah, Josh, and Rebecca discuss how various books and authors have deepened their faith, as well as books they most recommend to youth ministers and students. With schools out for the summer, having extra resources such as reading suggestions for students, is a great way to continue to minister to your students and leaders even if many of them are traveling for the summer months.
Best New Books For Youth Ministers: Rooted's 2025 Book Awards - Rooted Ministry
Best New Books for Teenagers: Rooted 2025 Book Awards - Rooted Ministry
Preparing for College - Rooted Ministry
10ofThose.com - Great resource to buy books in bulk orders
Foundational Books for Leaders
Josh Hussung:
The Pursuit of Holiness (Jerry Bridges): Provided categories for understanding the battle against sin; now a required read for his interns.
The Dangerous Duty of Delight (John Piper): A foundational text on finding joy in God as a means of glorifying Him.
Isaiah Marshall:
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: Inspiring story of faith and justice despite immense suffering.
Danny Kwon:
Prodigal God (Tim Keller): Shifted perspective from the younger son to the older, legalistic son, helping him minister to those in a fundamentalist church context.
Becca Heck:
Prodigal God (Tim Keller): Pivotal read that introduced the full gospel of grace, countering a fundamentalist upbringing.
Hinds' Feet on High Places (Hannah Hurnard): An allegorical journey of following the Good Shepherd through life's challenges.
Recommended Books for Students
Gifting Strategy: Becca Heck gifts graduating seniors a book with a personal note and a 5-year ""keep"" rule.
Rationale: Accounts for students' spiritual growth during college, ensuring the book is available when they are ready for it.
Josh Hussung:
Mere Christianity (C.S. Lewis): Strong apologetics for Christian students.
The Screwtape Letters (C.S. Lewis): Insightful allegory on spiritual warfare.
Don't Waste Your Life (John Piper): A common graduation gift from his church, often appreciated more after college.
Danny Kwon:
Prodigal God (Tim Keller): Easy-to-read, thin, and non-intimidating for senior high students.
Isaiah Marshall:
The Wounded Healer (Henri Nouwen): Helps students embrace vulnerability and pain as a path to effective ministry.
Ecclesiastes: Puts life's pursuits in perspective, revealing their meaninglessness apart from God.
Becca Heck:
Ragamuffin Gospel (Brennan Manning): Opened up a world of grace, especially for students from sheltered backgrounds.
Prayer in the Night (Tish Harrison Warren): A solid resource for processing grief, relevant for students facing major life transitions.
Life of the Beloved (Henri Nouwen): A small book on understanding one's identity as a beloved child of God.
The Art of Self-Forgetfulness (Tim Keller): A classic on humility.
Follow the YMU podcast and download it wherever you find your podcasts
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In this main stage message from the 2025 Rooted Conference, Syler Thomas walks through Acts 9:15–16 to explore the role of suffering in the life of the Church. Centered on the call of Paul, Syler highlights three key truths:
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At the core of our faith is a suffering Savior.
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If God’s chosen instrument was called to suffer, we too should be prepared.
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How the Church responds to suffering sets her apart from the world.
This message challenges and encourages leaders to embrace suffering as part of God’s redemptive work in and through His people.
Syler Thomas is a native Texan who has been the student ministries pastor at Christ Church in Lake Forest, Illinois, since 1998. He writes a column for YouthWorker Journal, has had articles published in Leadership Journal and the Chicago Tribune, and is the co-author of two books. Syler and his wife, Heidi, have four kids.
Youth Ministry Curriculum, Articles, Resources & Books: Suffering Rooted Ministry Resources on Suffering
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates.
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In this episode of YMU, Rebecca, Isaiah, Josh, and Danny discuss the very practical topic of rooming assignments for retreats and mission trips, as the summer youth ministry retreat and mission trip season approaches. They discuss various perspectives of how to handle rooming assignments with teenagers, as well as how to handle when students are not happy about who they are rooming with at a retreat or mission trip. They also discuss how they go about making room assignments, how they assign adult volunteers to rooms, and how to handle discipline issues with students in rooming situations at overnight activities.
Register to join us on Wednesday, June 3 at 1:00 CT for our next Rooted Webinar: Preparing for Summer Camp and Youth Service Trips
Practical Advice for Planning Your Next Youth Retreat by Josh Hussung
Planning Effective Youth Mission Trips by Ben Birdsong
Summer Camp Parent Packet Sample by Josh Hussung
Follow the YMU podcast and download it wherever you find your podcasts.
Registration is open for the 2026 Rooted Conference in Nashville!
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In this main stage message from the 2025 Rooted Conference, Joel Kim walks through Acts 2:42–47, revealing how Christ builds his Church. He highlights three key themes from the passage: extraordinary growth, ordinary means, and the unstoppable work of God.
Joel Kim serves as President of Westminster Seminary California, where he has taught New Testament since 2005. An ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church in America, he has pastored churches in Michigan and Southern California and has also taught internationally in Taiwan and Indonesia.
Born in South Korea and raised in Southern California, Joel is fluent in both Korean and English and has served the global church through various leadership roles. He completed his doctoral studies in historical theology at Calvin Theological Seminary under Richard A. Muller and has contributed to several publications, including Always Reformed. Joel and his wife, Sharon, have two children and reside in Escondido, California.
Rooted Resources:
Luke & Acts Rooted Curriculum
Three Reasons to Teach Acts in Your Youth Group by Tucker Fleming
Referenced:
'I'm An Evangelical, But I Rarely Go to Church' by Ryan Burge
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates
Register for Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Katy Morgan is a Senior Editor at The Good Book Company and the award-winning author of The Songs of a Warrior and The Promise and the Light. She loves helping children and young people grow in knowledge and love of Jesus, and volunteers in the youth work at her church, King’s Church Chessington in Surrey, UK. She holds a master's degree in classical Greek literature from Cambridge University.
Resources Mentioned -
Science and God: Do You Have to Choose? by Katy Morgan and John Lennox
Guiding Principles for Talking With Teenagers About Science and Faith by Chelsea Erickson
Rooted Resources -
Christianity and Science: Friends or Foes? Answering Your Teenager’s Questions About Faith by Matt Brown
Showing Teenagers How Science Points to God As Creator by Steve Jamison
Four Things Teenagers Need to Know About Science and God
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In this main stage message from the 2025 Rooted Conference, Cameron Cole walks through Acts 2:1–24, highlighting three essential ingredients of lasting change revealed at Pentecost: the Holy Spirit in us, the Word of God within the story of God, and the gospel proclaimed in personal terms.
His central message is both humbling and hopeful: people can’t change themselves—but God can change people. This session calls leaders to depend not on strategies, but on the Spirit’s power to transform hearts.
Cameron Cole is the founding chairman of Rooted Ministry, and Director of Adult and Nextgen Discipleship at St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Birmingham, AL. In addition to serving the local church for nearly twenty years in youth and family ministry, he is the co-editor of Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry: A Practical Guide (Crossway, 2016). Cameron is the author of Therefore I Have Hope: 12 Truths that Comfort, Sustain, and Redeem in Tragedy(Crossway, 2018), which won World Magazine’s 2018 Book of the Year (Accessible Theology) and was runner up for The Gospel Coalition’s Book of the Year (First-Time Author). He is also the co-editor of The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School (New Growth Press) and the author of Heavenward: How Eternity Can Change Your Life on Earth (Crossway, 2024). Cameron holds an undergraduate degree and an M.A. in Education from Wake Forest, as well as an M.Div from Reformed Theological Seminary. Cameron is married to Lauren and together they have four children, one of whom lives in heaven.
Rooted Resources:
Youth Ministry in the Power of the Spirit by Seth Stewart
Three Reasons to Teach Acts in Your Youth Group by Tucker Fleming
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates
Register for Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
There is so much more to youth ministry than pizza parties and “Chubby Bunny.” But is there a place for fun and games in youth ministry? Danny, Josh, Becca, and Isaiah discuss the role that games can play in youth ministry, namely, to create and build community. They can also pave an important path relationally for gospel-centered conversations.
Mike McGarry on Theology of Fun and Games
Tips for Gospel-Centered Games in Youth Ministry by Chelsea Kingston Erickson
When God Shows Up: A History of Youth Ministry by Mark Senter
Subscribe and follow Rooted’s youth ministry podcasts: Asian American Youth Ministry Roundtable and Youth Ministry Unscripted podcasts.
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In this main stage message from the 2025 Rooted Conference, Jim Davis walks through Acts 1:6–11, highlighting the Church’s clear and compelling mission. Drawing key observations from the text, he equips and encourages leaders to depend on the Spirit and faithfully join God in the work he is doing in the lives of students.
Jim Davis is the Teaching Pastor at Orlando Grace Church (Acts 29) and a Council member of The Gospel Coalition. He holds an M.Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary and is the co-host of the As in Heaven podcast. Jim is also the co-author, with Michael Graham, of The Great Dechurching: Who’s Leaving, Why Are They Going, and What Will It Take to Bring Them Back? He and his wife, Angela, speak for FamilyLife’s Weekend to Remember marriage getaways and are parents to four children.
As In Heaven Podcast by Jim Davis and Michael Aitcheson
The Great Dechurching: Who’s Leaving, Why Are They Going, and What Will It Take to Bring Them Back? by Jim Davis and Michael Graham
Rooted Resources:
Teenagers Need the Church (Series)
The Sunday Standoff: Discipling Teenagers Who Are Resisting Church by Katie Polski
@therootedministry on Instagram for more updates
Register for Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Josh, Becca, Isaiah, and Danny talk candidly about productivity as a key component of gospel-centered youth ministry. Productivity is not about chasing results or proving worth, but faithful stewardship of the limited time we’ve been given. The hosts highlight common obstacles like constant crises, unclear expectations, misalignment with broader church vision, and fluctuating motivation. Then they share tips, tricks, and resources that have helped them in their youth ministry roles.
The Busy Youth Minister by Josh Cousineau
Redeeming the Time: Managing the Nebulous Work of Youth Ministry by Connor Coskery
Youth Ministry Management by Mike Work and Ginny Olson
The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni
Getting Things Done by David Allen
Register for the 2026 Rooted Conference
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference, Jennifer Kvamme outlines six essential foundational truths that youth leaders must teach to prepare students to think biblically about sexuality. With clarity and conviction, this session equips leaders to ground teens in God’s design while engaging today’s cultural challenges with grace and wisdom.
Jennifer has served in youth ministry at Centennial Church in Forest Lake, MN, for 20 years. She’s the author of More to the Story: Deep Answers to Real Questions on Attraction, Identity, and Relationships. She and her husband, Greg, have three children.
Rooted Resources:
More to the Story Deep Answers to Real Questions on Attraction, Identity, and Relationships by Jennifer Kvamme
A Bad Trade: Helping Teenagers See Sexual Sin Clearly by Jennifer Kvamme
Parents, Let’s Reframe the Sexuality Conversation by Jennifer Kvamme
@therootedministry on Instagram for more updates
Register for Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In this reflective workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference, Harold Kim walks through Psalm 42, offering encouragement and hope for those in seasons of spiritual dryness or discouragement. The session follows three movements:
The Condition – what it means to be spiritually cast down
The Causes – what might lead us there
The Cure – how Scripture points us to hope in God
This session is a heartfelt invitation to find rest, renewal, and confidence in the God who sees and sustains.
Harold Kim is the founding pastor of Christ Central of Southern California, and serves on the board for Christ Central Network (CCN) and as president of SOLA. He graduated from UC Berkeley, received his master of divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and his master of theology from Princeton Theological Seminary. He was ordained by the Presbyterian Church in America in 2001. Harold is gratefully married to Sun Hi and a happy father of two daughters, Taylor and Elizabeth. His great joy and passion is to see lives changed as Jesus Christ becomes central to everything.
When The Fire Goes Out: Finding Comfort in Ministry by Isaiah Marshall
Psalm 42: A Psalm for Sad Seasons by Kendal Conner
Student Series: Panting in the Desert: Seeking God When He Feels Like A Fake, A Figment, or Far Away by Annie Talton
Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Cure by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Christian in Community by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates
Register for Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In this episode of YMU, Rebecca, Josh, Isaiah, and Danny consider Rooted’s pillar of relational discipleship and how it inspires us to connect with teenagers in our churches. The hosts share insight about when the youth minister needs to connect with students personally and how to engage ministry volunteers in this important work. They offer some effective ways to connect with teenagers relationally.
“So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us” (1 Thess. 2:8).
Rooted Webinar: Creating a Culture of Gospel Welcome in Youth Ministry
What Does Relational Discipleship Actually Look Like?
Watch Rooted’s Past Training Videos and Webinars
Follow the YMU podcast and download it wherever you find your podcasts.
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference, Jonathan Holmes unpacks what it means to pursue true rest in ministry. Framed around four key movements—the problem with rest, the answer to rest, how to rest personally, and how to build cultures of rest—this session offers practical and theological insight for leaders who want to lead from a place of peace rather than burnout.
Jonathan Holmes is the Founder and Executive Director of Fieldstone Counseling. He previously served for fifteen years on the pastoral teams of Parkside Church and Parkside Green. Jonathan graduated from The Master’s University with degrees in Biblical Counseling and History and his MA from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is the author and contributor to a number of books including, The Company We Keep, Counsel for Couples, Rescue Skills, and Rescue Plan. He and his wife, Jennifer, have four daughters.
When The Fire Goes Out: Finding Comfort in Ministry by Isaiah Marshall
Caring for Your Soul as a Youth Minister by Mark Upton
Burnout: The Cost of Caring by Christina Maslach
Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God's Work by Timothy Keller
Register for Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates!
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Rebecca, Josh, Isaiah, and Danny discuss the topic of recruiting and serving with volunteer youth leaders. They cover what makes a good youth leader, mistakes they have made with ministry volunteers, and advice they would give to fellow youth ministers in leading volunteer teams. If you’re looking for help and support to care for the lay leaders on your team, this conversation is for you!
Practically Speaking, How to Train Your Volunteers by Seth Stewart
Youth Minister, You Need to Empower Lay Leaders by Justin Talbert
Ask Rooted: How Do You Train and Empower Lay Leaders in Your Youth Ministry? Part I and Part II
Purpose Driven Youth Ministry by Doug Fields
Follow the YMU podcast and download it wherever you find your podcasts.
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference, Bradley Blaylock explores the role of apologetics in youth ministry—not just as content, but as a teaching posture. He outlines approaches to help leaders raise apologetic issues naturally, equipping students to think biblically about their faith.
Bradley serves as a Professor of Theological Studies at Highlands College in Birmingham, AL. He and his wife live in Birmingham with their adorable children. Bradley is a PhD student at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary studying the Philosophy of Religion.
Two Simple Shifts for Teaching Apologetics in Youth Ministry by Bradley Blaylock
Youth Pastor, Your Students Need Apologetics by Bradley Blaylock
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Register for Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Isaiah Marshall, Josh Hussung, Danny Kwon, and Becca Heck wrestle with how to teach holiness without drifting into guilt, shame, or moralism. Grounded in Scripture, the conversation reframes holiness not as behavior modification, but as a joyful, relational response to the gospel. The hosts explore how youth ministries can unintentionally slip into legalism, how to speak about sin without leaving students feeling hopeless, and how relational discipleship creates space for grace, confession, and growth. With honesty, humor, and pastoral wisdom, this episode offers youth leaders practical ways to model holiness anchored in Christ’s finished work, not performance.
Scripture & Themes Referenced
Leviticus 11:44 – “Be holy, for I am holy”
1 Peter 1:16 – Holiness as a call rooted in God’s character
Isaiah 6 – God’s holiness and moral perfection
Matthew 5–7 (Sermon on the Mount) – Holiness of heart, not just behavior
1 Thessalonians 5:14 – Responding differently to the idle, weak, and discouraged
Relational Discipleship – Walking with students over time, not managing behavior
Gospel-Centered Holiness – Living from acceptance, not for acceptance
Biggie Size Your Grace in the Pursuit of Holiness by Andy Cornett
Discipling Teenagers in the Meaning of the Law by Chelsea Kingston Erickson
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Follow and subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts.
Watch the episode on Youtube!
Register for Rooted 2026 in Nashville.
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference, Jennifer Kvamme equips youth leaders to respond wisely and faithfully to the difficult questions students often ask. She addresses three common questions and presents a four-principle framework for navigating challenging conversations with grace and clarity.
Jennifer has served in youth ministry at Centennial Church in Forest Lake, MN, for 20 years. She’s the author of More to the Story: Deep Answers to Real Questions on Attraction, Identity, and Relationships. She and her husband, Greg, have three children.
Resources:
More to the Story Deep Answers to Real Questions on Attraction, Identity, and Relationships by Jennifer Kvamme
When Your Teenager Has Doubts and Questions by Kyle Bjerga
Encouragement for Parents: When Kids Ask Tough Questions by Steve Eatmon
Answering Our Teenagers’ Hard Questions About Culture by Rooted
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates
Register for Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Josh, Danny, Isaiah, and Becca dive into the often-overlooked legacy of Black Christians in church history. As Black History Month invites the church to celebrate diversity in God’s kingdom, the hosts explore why many faithful Black voices remain hidden from mainstream narratives—and what youth pastors can do about it. From early church fathers in North Africa to the American civil rights era, this conversation challenges us to broaden our understanding of church history and elevate voices that have long been sidelined. Listeners will walk away encouraged to disciple their students with a deeper awareness of the global, multicultural body of Christ—and equipped with practical ideas for building more inclusive youth ministries.
Resources and Mentions
Talking to Your White Kids About Black History Month - Rooted Ministry
Relational Discipleship in the Black Church - Rooted Ministry
Richard Allen – Founder of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church
Lemuel Haynes – First ordained African American minister in the U.S.
Howard Thurman – Theologian and mentor to Martin Luther King Jr.
Fannie Lou Hamer – Voting rights activist and devout Christian
James Cone – Father of Black Liberation Theology; The Cross and the Lynching Tree
The Edmondson Center (at RTS Atlanta) – Recommended by Becca for their year-long certificate program on church history and theology (directed by Karen & Carl Ellis)
Bus Ride to Justice – Isaiah’s experiential trip with students to key civil rights locations (Birmingham, Montgomery, Selma, Tuskegee)
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates!
Follow and subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts.
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, Mike McGarry helps us deliver expository messages for you. What does it mean to teach the Bible expositionally to students? In this episode, Mike defines expository teaching and why it matters. You'll learn how to align your message with the main idea of the biblical text and walk away with four essential questions to guide your prep.
Mike is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as an ordained youth pastor for nearly twenty years in Massachusetts. He holds a Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, with an emphasis on Ministry to Emerging Generations, and is the author of multiple books on youth ministry.
Rooted Resources:
Youth Pastor Theologian
Rethinking Expository Bible Teaching (Confessions of a Struggling Youth Minister) by John Gardner
Why Youth Pastors Should Teach Expository Bible Messages by Syler Thomas
Parents, Value Expository Teaching at Youth Group by Jennifer Kvamme Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates
Register for Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Josh, Danny, Isaiah, and Becca reflect on the “landmines” of youth ministry through the lens of 1 Peter 5:8: being sober-minded and watchful because the devil prowls like a roaring lion. They discuss dangers such as the “savior complex,” prideful isolation, us-versus-them attitudes toward church leadership and parents, unhealthy comparison with other ministries, and the temptation to measure success by numbers instead of faithfulness.
There is also a danger of neglecting our own souls—becoming “professional Christians” whose Bible reading is only for teaching prep, not personal communion with God. We will discuss both those “landmines” as well as how they can be avoided.
Resources:
Dangerous Calling by Paul David Tripp
Sticky Faith by Kara Powell and Chap Clark
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates!
Follow and subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts.
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, Tara Davis and Cameron Cole emphasize the central focus of every gospel-centered children’s ministry: the Bible. They present three key approaches to help grow children’s biblical literacy and offer practical guidance for implementing each one in your ministry context. Whether you're a seasoned leader or just starting out, this session equips you to faithfully ground your ministry in God’s Word.
About the Speakers:
Tara Davis serves as the Director of Nursery and Children’s Ministry at Church of the Advent in Birmingham, Alabama. A former elementary school teacher, she taught for ten years across North Carolina, Tennessee, and Alabama. Tara was named Teacher of the Year at Crestline Elementary and received the Ann Pritchard Award for Excellence in Teaching—an honor given to the top educator in the Mountain Brook School System. She holds a B.S. in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from the University of Georgia and an M.A. in Elementary Education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Tara is married to Kyle, and they have a son and daughter.
Cameron Cole is the Founding Chairman of Rooted Ministry and serves as the Director of Adult and NextGen Discipleship at St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Birmingham, Alabama. With nearly two decades of experience in youth and family ministry, Cameron is the author of Therefore I Have Hope, Heavenward (2024), and co-editor of Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry and The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School. He holds both an undergraduate degree and an M.A. in Education from Wake Forest University, as well as an M.Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary. Cameron and his wife, Lauren, have four children—one of whom lives in heaven.
Rooted Resources:
Family Discipleship Video Courses
Resources for Family Ministry (Rooted Roundup)
Rooted’s Scope & Sequence for Youth Ministry Bible Teaching
How to Lead Collaboration Between Youth and Children’s Ministry by Andy Cornett
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Josh, Isaiah, Danny, and new co-host Becca focus on a crucial season in student discipleship: senior year. They unpack why senior year is such a unique window for ministry. The hosts discuss helping seniors see the church as more than youth group, preparing them to find a gospel-centered church in college, and giving them categories for God’s will, vocation, and faithful involvement in the local church. While there are a lot of potential pitfalls in post-highschool life, there are a lot of great opportunities for students to grow in their faith, and thrive in their walk with Christ in their new season.
Making Youth Group ‘Senior Night’ More Than Once Each Year - Rooted Ministry
The Summer Before College: A Graduating Senior Gameplan - Rooted Ministry
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Follow and subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts.
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In this final episode of our season Can't Do It All, Anna welcomes back Rooted podcaster Alice Churnock and introduces our brand-new executive director Hannah Dow. We invited them to talk about the (potential) overwhelm of being a mother. Both of these moms juggle full-time jobs while running their households, caring for elderly parents, serving at church, and attempting to maintain friendships and good health. Additionally, Hannah is a single mother. You'll want to hear how they find rest in the gospel, but you'll also glean some practical tips. Be encouraged by their wholehearted pursuit of Jesus in the midst of their busy lives.
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In this special Christmas episode of the Rooted Parent Podcast, father and veteran youth pastor Syler Thomas join Cameron and Anna to discuss about the misadventures of Kevin McAllister and his family. They talk about parenting failures, regrets, and redemption, and how, because of Christ, we are not condemned for our shortcomings as moms and dads.
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Isaiah, Josh, and Danny dive deep into one of the most vulnerable areas of student discipleship: doubt. Drawing from Mark 9 and personal ministry experiences, the hosts explore how youth pastors can respond when students express questions or wrestle with deconstruction. They offer guidance on how to walk with students through doubt without minimizing it or turning it into a theological debate.
The trio challenges youth leaders to create ministry cultures where curiosity and questions are welcomed, not shamed. Through biblical reflection, practical examples, and honest dialogue, they remind listeners that doubt is not the enemy of faith—disconnection is. The episode closes with encouragement for youth leaders to stay faithful, point students to Jesus, and let the Holy Spirit do the transforming work.
Resources:
Discover: Questioning Your Way to Faith by Mike McGarry
Gospel Hope for Doubting Teenagers
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates!
Follow and subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts.
Check out our Youth Ministry and Family Ministry Mentorship Program
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, Jonathan Holmes offers a gospel-centered framework for engaging in conversations about gender. He begins with two cultural observations that shape how we think about identity today and then outlines five key problems with modern-day identity formation. With clarity and compassion, Jonathan equips ministry leaders to speak truthfully and graciously into one of the most complex topics facing today’s teens.
Jonathan Holmes is the Founder and Executive Director of Fieldstone Counseling. He previously served for fifteen years on the pastoral teams of Parkside Church and Parkside Green. Jonathan graduated from The Master’s University with degrees in Biblical Counseling and History and his MA from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is the author and contributor to a number of books including, The Company We Keep, Counsel for Couples, Rescue Skills, and Rescue Plan.
Rooted Resources:
Rooted Recommends: Preston and Jackie Hill Perry on Gender Identity, Biblical Womanhood, and Girly Girls
Sex, Gender, & Sexuality
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Listen to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you get your podcasts.
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Danny, Isaiah, and Josh dive into the subtle but dangerous “Messiah Complex” that many youth pastors wrestle with—the belief that they must save, fix, or be everything to everyone. From the weight of unmet expectations to the exhaustion of blurred boundaries, this episode uncovers how this mindset leads to burnout and misplaced identity. The hosts offer reflections, cautionary tales, and gospel-rooted encouragement to release control, honor healthy limits, and trust the Holy Spirit to do the work only He can do.
Letter to a Youth Worker Experiencing Burnout - Rooted Ministry
Trusting God With Our Plans For Our Ministries
Check out our Youth Ministry and Family Ministry Mentorship Program
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates!
Follow and subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts.
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In this special episode of YMU, Danny hosts the 7th annual Rooted Book Awards. These Book Awards serve our listeners who might not have the time or budget to read every book out there. It includes categories of books for Youth Ministers, Parents, Bible Teaching, and Teenagers. Happy reading!
Accessible Church: A Gospel-Centered Vision for Including People with Disabilities and Their Families by Sarah Peoples (Crossway)
Don’t Despise Our Youth: Renewing Hope for Urban Youth by David Washington (InterVarsity Press)
Managing Your Households Well by Chap Bettis (P&R Publishing)
Mothering Against Futility Balancing Meaning and Mundanity in the Fear of the Lord By Simona Gorton (Christian Focus)
Beyond the Back Row: Rediscovering the Beauty of the Local Church for Your Family by Katie Polski (Christian Focus)
Scrolling Ourselves to Death: Reclaiming Life in a Digital Age Edited by Brett McCracken and Ivan Mesa (Crossway)
The Gospel After Christendom: An Introduction to Cultural Apologetics eds. Collin Hansen, Skyler R. Flowers, and Ivan Mesa (Zondervan)
From Eden to Egypt: A Guided Tour of Genesis (9Marks) by Alex Duke (Zondervan)
Gospel Stories: How The Greatest Story Is Richer, Deeper, and More Wonderful Than We Think by Andrew Wilson (10 Publishing)
Understanding Biblical Law: Thinking With And Through Torah by Dru Johnson (Baker Academic)
12 Truths Every Teen Can Trust: Core Beliefs of the Christian That Will Change Your Life by Paul David Tripp (Crossway)
Make It Your Ambition by Jeremy Writebol (The Gospel Coalition)
Iconic: Being God’s Image in Your World by Mike McGarry (New Growth Press)
Worth It: Following Jesus When Life Feels Complicated by Chris Morphew (The Good Book Company)
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Isaiah, Josh, and Danny address youth ministry culture, especially as it interacts with the influence of social media. They discuss how social media impacts our students and how we as youth pastors can navigate it well for greater gospel influence.
Resources:
Unplugged: Encouraging Students Toward Offline Living - Rooted Ministry
Why Teens Compulsively Use Social Media - Rooted Ministry
Social Media: Four Considerations From a Youth Pastor to Parents - Rooted Ministry
Social Media Pressure by John Perritt
Social Sanity in an Insta World by Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates!
Follow and subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts.
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In this workshop discussion from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, four experienced ministry leaders—Connie Nelson, Isaiah Marshall, Liz Edrington, and Anna Meade Harris—tackle the important and complex topic of ministering to students who come from difficult home environments. They share why this issue is close to their hearts, explore what constitutes a challenging home life, offer practical strategies for building trust with students, and much more.
About the Panelists
- Connie Nelson has over a decade of youth ministry experience in Edmonton, Alberta, where she also leads in her church’s college ministry and serves with a Guatemalan missions organization.
- Isaiah Marshall is a husband, father, and spoken word artist. He serves as Director of Ministry Development at Rooted Ministry and is a Chaplain in the Air Force Reserve.
- Liz Edrington is the Associate Director of Care at McLean Presbyterian Church. A counselor, professor, and award-winning author, she is passionate about gospel-centered care for youth and families.
- Anna Meade Harris is Rooted’s Contributing Editor and co-host of the Rooted Parent Podcast. She is also the author of God’s Grace for Every Family and a leading voice on ministering to single-parent families.
Rooted Resources:
Ministering to Teenagers with Challenging Home Lives by Connie Nelson, Isaiah Marshall, Miz Edrington, and Anna Meade Harris
Ministering to Students in Crisis
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Isaiah, Josh, and Danny address politics and the divide it has created in our nation and how it has impacted our youth groups. They tackle some hot-button issues and give tips on how to navigate political discussion. Finally, they discuss developing a Christ-centered identity that transcends politics.
Resources:
Rooted Youth Ministry and Family Ministry Mentorship Programs
When the Conversation at Youth Group Turns to Politics - Rooted Ministry
Five Truths We Must Tell Our Kids in a World of Political Chaos and Madness - Rooted Ministry
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates!
Follow and subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, Syler Thomas reflects on the complex but beautiful intersection of family and ministry. Drawing from years of personal experience, Syler shares four key insights: 1) God will use your family to bless your ministry, 2) God will use your ministry to bless your family, 3) You must intentionally define healthy boundaries for your family, 4) When sharing about your kids, get their permission—and give them space to just be kids, especially if they’re in your youth group. This practical and heartfelt talk is filled with wisdom for anyone navigating ministry while raising children.
Syler Thomas is a native Texan and has served as the student ministries pastor at Christ Church in Lake Forest, Illinois, since 1998. He writes for YouthWorker Journal, with additional work published in Leadership Journal and the Chicago Tribune, and is the co-author of two books. He and his wife, Heidi, are parents to four children.
The Value of Presence in Youth Ministry by Shaun McDonald
What Does Relational Discipleship Actually Look Like? - Rooted Ministry
Creating Space for Teenagers to Play in Youth Ministry
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates.
Follow and subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts.
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
n this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Isaiah, Josh, and Danny discuss the frustrations and the blessings of partnering with parents in your youth ministry. There is a huge potential for Gospel impact when youth ministry leaders and parents link arms to disciple the next generation.
Show Them the Gospel: Partnering with Parents in an Asian-American Church - Rooted Ministry
Partnering with Parents of Teenagers in the Black Church - Rooted Ministry
Learning to Partner with Parents of Teenagers, Not Judge Them - Rooted Ministry
Rooted Family Ministry Mentorship
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates!
Join us at the Rooted 2025 Conference!
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, Dr. Richard Ross asks a crucial question: What can youth ministers do to invest in the spiritual lives of parents? With wisdom and clarity, Dr. Ross shares practical strategies to equip and empower parents to disciple their teenagers toward a lifelong faith in Jesus.
Richard Ross, PhD, is husband to LaJuana, who has joined him in a lifetime of loving teenagers. Richard served as student pastor for thirty years and now is a volunteer with teenagers and parents in his church. Richard is professor to the next generation of student pastors at Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth. He has written over 25 books and speaks in over 40 conferences and churches each year.
Rooted Resources:
Resources for Engaging Teenagers Spiritually—at Church and at Home
Engaging Teenagers Spiritually—at Church and at Home
Rooted Parent Podcast
Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Isaiah, Josh, and Danny look back over the decades of their time in youth ministry. A lot has changed since the 90s and early 2000s. Listen to this discussion about the huge opportunity we have to impact the lives of students with the gospel today.
Resources:
Ask Rooted: How Do You Shift to Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry?
Youth Minister, Cool Is Overrated - Rooted Ministry
What Teenagers Need in a Youth Pastor Might Surprise You - Rooted Ministry
Youth Talk Sheets
Food Planning Chart
Pizza Planning iPhone Shortcut
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates!
Follow and subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts.
Join us at the Rooted 2025 Conference!
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates and
Subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts
In this thought-provoking workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, Mike McGarry explores how a proper understanding of the Imago Dei—the image of God—shapes our identity and discipleship. Arguing that much of today’s cultural confusion stems from forgetting what it means to be human, Mike walks through the biblical storyline of creation, fall, redemption, and glorification to show how the Imago Dei is a unifying thread throughout Scripture. He also offers practical insight into why this matters for youth and family discipleship today.
Mike is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as an ordained youth pastor for nearly twenty years in Massachusetts. He holds a Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, with an emphasis on Ministry to Emerging Generations, and is the author of multiple books on youth ministry.
Rooted Resources:
Youth Pastor Theologian
Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World (Real World Theology) by Mike McGarry
Calvin, Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life, and The Image of God for Youth: Part 1 by Dan Wolf
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates
Register for Rooted 2025 Conference in Chicago
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates and
Subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts
In this insightful workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, Jason Woodruff explores how Christians can cultivate biblical boundaries around the news and politics they consume. He outlines six practical ways to build a spiritually healthy relationship with media in today’s polarized, fast-paced world.
Jason is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Pour Over, a politically neutral news source read by over 1 million Christians each week. He also leads NewsHealth, an initiative aimed at helping believers navigate the news with wisdom and faith.
Rooted Resources:
The Pour Over
Parents, Just Turn Off the News (Responsibly) by Cameron Cole
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates
Register for Rooted 2025 Conference in Chicago
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates and
Subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts
In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Isaiah, Josh, and Danny get honest about the quiet discouragement youth leaders often carry– when the seats are empty, the students are disengaged, and the fruit just isn’t showing up the way you hoped for. Together, they explore what it looks like to stay faithful, how to redefine “success” in kingdom terms, and why unseen obedience still matters deeply to God.
Advice to My Younger Self in Youth Ministry—20 Years Later by Steve Eatmon
How Gospel-Centrality Prioritizes Long-Term Fruit in Youth Ministry by Michael Goldstein
Check out our Youth Ministry Training Courses for extra encouragement and resources!
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates!
Follow and subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts.
Join us at the Rooted 2025 Conference!
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates and
Subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts
n this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, Kendal Conner equips youth leaders with practical tools for teaching the book of Daniel to students. With warmth and clarity, she offers encouragement for navigating this complex book and demonstrates how it can be both accessible and transformative for young hearts.
Kendal has spent over a decade in youth ministry and currently serves as the Director of Sunday Schools at Redeemer Kansas City in Missouri, where she also remains active in student ministry. A native of Memphis, TN, Kendal holds a B.A. from Union University with a minor in theology. She spent two years overseas working with youth before serving in parachurch and local church contexts back in the U.S.
Rooted Resources:
Bible Project on the Book of Daniel
Daniel for You: For Reading, for Feeding, for Leading (God's Word for You) by David Helm
Help Me Teach the Bible Podcast Episode with David Helm
How the Book of Daniel Helps Us Lead Our Children to Live Counterculturally by Jason Engle
Six Reasons Teenagers Need the Book of Daniel by Seth Stewart
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates
Register for Rooted 2025 Conference in Chicago
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates and
Subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts
In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Isaiah, Josh, and Danny unpack why all youth ministers need a tribe. Not just to survive—but to thrive in the call God has placed on our lives. The three discuss the power of peer relationships, the danger of isolation, and how to build rhythms of mutual support and encouragement in ministry. Because you weren’t meant to carry the call to ministry alone.
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates!
Follow and subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts.
Join us at the Rooted 2025 Conference!
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates and
Subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts
In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, Jason Woodruff explores how today’s media landscape—especially platforms like TikTok—has changed the way we consume news. He walks through the history of news dissemination, explains how social media algorithms shape what we see, and offers practical advice for developing a spiritually healthy relationship with the news—for you and your teens.
Jason is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Pour Over, a politically neutral news source read by over 1 million Christians each week. He also leads NewsHealth, an initiative aimed at helping believers navigate the news with wisdom and faith.
Rooted Resources:
The Pour Over
Discernment for A Digital Age: Practical Steps towards Online Media Literacy for Teens by Anne Chen
Parents, Just Turn Off the News (Responsibly) by Cameron Cole
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates
Register for Rooted 2025 Conference in Chicago
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates and
Subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts
In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, Kristen Hatton unpacks the five P's of parenting to help parents become more self-aware, stay motivated toward their children, and lead their homes with gospel-centered purpose and hope.
Kristen is a counselor who works with teenage girls, parents, and families. She’s the author of Parenting Ahead, Face Time, Get Your Story Straight, and The Gospel-Centered Life in Exodus for Students. Kristen lives in Dallas with her pastor husband and is the mom of three young adults and a son-in-law. Learn more at www.kristenhatton.com.
Rooted Resources:
Parenting Ahead: Preparing Now for the Teen Years by Kristen Hatton
Age of Opportunity: A Biblical Guide to Parenting Teens by Paul David Tripp
How Parents Build the Fire and Pray for the Flame by Ben Birdsong
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In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Isaiah, Josh, and Danny discuss the continual and important issue of unengaged students. From students on your youth ministry rosters who do not attend, to those who do attend but are not fully engaged or very active in youth group. In considering these students, they discuss various ways to get these unengaged students more engaged into church and youth group.
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In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, veteran youth pastor Justin Wong reflects on how culture—through wars, elections, and even music—has shaped youth ministry over the years. He offers honest encouragement for the weary youth worker, while highlighting both the challenges and the unique opportunities that come with serving the next generation.
Justin has served in youth and family ministry for over 23 years. He holds degrees from Houston Baptist University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is married to Tina, and together they have two daughters, Ella and Mia.
Rooted Resources:
Lessons Learned During My First Year of Youth Ministry: Leadership Takes Time by Taylor Sutton
The Joy and Crown of Youth Ministry by Clark Fobes
Making Space for Encouragement in Youth Ministry by Ericson Joubert
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In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, Jimmy Kim explores the heart of family ministry—what it is, why it matters, and how churches can cultivate it in their own context. With over 20 years of experience across youth, college, and family ministry, Jimmy offers a practical and gospel-centered approach for churches of all sizes and backgrounds.
Jimmy serves as the Executive Director of Family Transformation at Perimeter Church near Atlanta, GA. He’s a husband to Shin and dad to two soccer-loving kids. His ministry journey spans both immigrant and multiethnic church contexts, with academic roots at the University of Maryland, Washington Bible College, Atlanta Christian College, and Reformed Theological Seminary.
Rooted Resources:
How to Start a Family Ministry in Your Church by Andy Cornett
Resources for Family Ministry (Rooted Roundup)
Perspectives on Family Ministry: 3 Views by Timothy Paul Jones
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In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Isaiah, Josh, and Danny talk about the youth ministry "summer high." They describe the positive and negative aspects of the annual "summer high," and discuss how to counteract the negatives. Our hosts also discuss transitioning from great summer ministries into the fall and beyond, developing programs for cohesive year-round ministry to students.
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In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, we discuss the changes that occur in youth ministry during the summer months. The rhythm of ministry shifts, the workload changes, and the importance of building relational connections with students are all important factors in thinking about our summer. We also talk about the challenges of maintaining programming consistency and the unique opportunities that summer presents for youth workers to connect with students.
Ask Rooted: What Does Relational Discipleship Look Like During the Summer?
Resources for Summer Youth Ministry Planning (Rooted Roundup)
Summer Resources
Maximizing Summer Youth Ministry: Balancing Activity and Rest
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In this insightful workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, Dr. Danny Kwon explores how to cultivate a youth ministry culture that embraces intergenerational integration. He unpacks why connecting generations within the church is vital to discipling students for a lifelong faith in Jesus, and offers practical steps for how you can implement intergenerational ministry in your unique context.
Danny Kwon, Ph.D., is the Senior Director of Youth Ministry Content and Cross-Cultural Initiatives at Rooted Ministry. Prior to joining Rooted, Danny served for 29 years as the Youth and Family Pastor at Yuong Sang Church, a bicultural and bilingual Korean-American congregation outside Philadelphia. He is married to Monica, a Christian counselor and psychologist, and together they have three children.
Rooted Resources:
Book Review ‘Faith Beyond Youth Group’ by Kara Powell, Brad M. Griffin, and Jen Bradbury by Danny Kwon
When Intergenerational Integration Feels Impossible by Skyler Flowers
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In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Josh, Isaiah, and Danny discuss the critical role of volunteers in youth ministry. They talk about recruiting and retaining volunteers, the various roles they can fill, and effective strategies for building relationships with them. We need to care for and connect with our volunteers, as well as provide clear expectations and ongoing communication to ensure a successful team experience.
Playing the Long Game: Five Suggestions for Retaining Volunteers in Your Youth Ministry by Ryan Wood
Serving Your Youth Volunteers by Josh Hussung
Asian American Youth Ministry and Volunteers: Expectations and Hardships
Three Reasons Why Empty Nesters Are the Best Youth Volunteers by Tracey Rector
Resources for Volunteer Development
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In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted conference in Dallas, veteran youth leader Vince Greenwald shares the essential values of the church, and the youth ministry where he serves. While acknowledging that what students need, more than anything, everytime they gather, is the gospel. But the additional elements of offering a safe environment- defined as “every student needs a place where they can stop trying to be impressive and start being known” - and time allow students to flourish in the manner and timeline the Lord has decreed. Stay tuned for his six questions at the end to help you discern if the gospel, safety, and time are central values in your ministry to teenagers.
Vince Greenwald serves an assistant pastor at Immanuel Church Nashville and holds a MA in Biblical and Theological Studies from Covenant Theological Seminary. He and his wife Caroline live in Nashville, Tennessee with their children Bear, Lila, and Grace. Vince seeks to joyfully follow Jesus and serve the Church with Caroline, bringing students and their families along with them.Romans 1:16
1 Corinthians 3:6
1 John 1:7
Rooted Resources:
What Is Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry? by Chelsea Kingston Erickson
The Slow Process of Growth by Josh Hussung
The Long, Slow Work of Gospel Formation by Kendal Connor
Depend, Believe, and Obey: Unleashing the Power of the Gospel by Dave Hart
Gospel Catechisms for Young Children and Teenagers
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In this honest and hope-filled episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Isaiah, Josh, and Danny tackle a topic often overlooked in youth ministry: preparing students for suffering. As high school graduates transition into adulthood, our youth ministries must do more than celebrate. We must disciple them with a theology of suffering rooted in Christ. The hosts share personal stories, biblical wisdom, and practical strategies for equipping students with a faith that endures beyond the youth room. From reframing popular Bible verses to discussing God’s presence in pain, this conversation is raw, real, and necessary.
Rooted Resources on Suffering
Tish Harrison Warren, “Working, Watching, Weeping”
Fear Factor in Parenting: We Dread Seeing Our Children Suffer, with Tish Harrison Warren
Tish Harrison Warren, “Why Are You Downcast? What the Promises of God Are (and Are Not) in Suffering”
Fear Factor in Parenting: When Our Asian American Children Face Racism with Owen Lee, Tracy Yi and Kevin Yi
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In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas TX, Mike McGarry dives deep into the topic of delivering expository messages for youth. Mike begins by discussing the difference between expository teaching and biblical teaching. He provides a helpful definition of expository teaching and gives us a framework for how to faithfully teach God’s word the way God’s word is written and show our youth how it applies in all spheres of life.
Mike McGarry is the Director of Youth Pastor Theologian, has served as a Youth Pastor for 18 years in Massachusetts, and has two youth group aged kids at home. He earned his D.Min. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and has published three books – most recently, “Discover: Questioning Your Way to Faith.” Mike is committed to training youth workers to think biblically about what youth ministry is and to training them to teach theologically with confidence. Purchase the Rooted Daniel Curriculum
How the Book of Daniel Helps Us Lead Our Children to Live Counterculturally by Jason Engle
Youth Pastor Theologian Podcast with Mike McGarry
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In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Isaiah, Josh, and Danny unpack how the culture of a youth ministry’s leadership team profoundly impacts the faith of students. They reflect on why students are more shaped by what leaders model than what they say, and explore how authenticity, humility, and spiritual health within the leadership team can either build up or break down student faith formation. The trio also gets real about vulnerability boundaries, how to handle team drama, and practical rhythms that help leaders stay grounded in their own walk with Jesus. If you're leading a team or discipling students, this conversation is full of honest wisdom and helpful guidance.
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In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas TX, Josh Newton, Danny Kwon, and Isaiah Marshall dive deep into the topic of missions and youth ministry. Together, they explore the value of short-term mission trips, how they shape students spiritually, and the importance of aligning mission work with a gospel-centered philosophy. Each guest brings their unique background and practical experience to the conversation offering honest insights and encouragement for youth pastors looking to cultivate mission-minded students.
Josh Newton is the Pastor of Student Ministries at The Orchard EFC in Illinois with 15 years of experience. Danny Kwon, Ph.D., is Rooted’s Senior Director of Youth Ministry Content and formerly served 29 years at Yuong Sang Church near Philadelphia. Isaiah Marshall is a spoken word poet, author, and Director of Ministry Development at Rooted.Purchase the Rooted Daniel Curriculum
How the Book of Daniel Helps Us Lead Our Children to Live Counterculturally by Jason Engle
Consider Staying Close to Home for Your Youth Groups Mission Trip by Isaiah Marshall
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In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas TX, Cameron Cole shares a pathway for healthy tech use. He starts with sharing why we need to be vigilant relative to our kids and technology and then shares practical plans to be proactive and not reactive as it relates to technology use in their kids. Cameron Cole is the founding chairman of Rooted Ministry. He is the co-editor of Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry: A Practical Guide(Crossway, 2016) andThe Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School (New Growth Press). Cameron is the author of Therefore I Have Hope: 12 Truths that Comfort, Sustain, and Redeem in Tragedy (Crossway, 2018) and Heavenward: How Eternity Can Change Your Life on Earth(Crossway, 2024). Cameron is married to Lauren and together they have four children, one of whom lives in heaven.Purchase the Rooted Daniel Curriculum
How the Book of Daniel Helps Us Lead Our Children to Live Counterculturally by Jason Engle
Download MB Plugged In Technology full report HERE
Rooted resources on social media and technology
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In this second episode with author and counselor Andrea Lee, author of the devotional Body Image: Valuing God’s Good Gift, Danny and Josh explore the implications of students' struggles for ministry. They talk with Andrea how a youth leader might help teenagers with body image concerns, when churches might need to get parents involved, and how youth ministries might serve teenagers in ways that do not make body image issues worse.
Body Image: Valuing God’s Good Gift by Andrea Lee
Resources on Rooted
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Join us for Rooted 2025 in Chicago, October 23-25!
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In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas TX, T.J. Lewis shares how leaders can build relationships with the students they serve that lasts. In this talk, Lewis lays out practical ways leaders can befriend students and invest in them for years, even beyond youth group. T.J. Lewis serves as a youth pastor at Lake Church in Arlington, TX. T.J. is a proud husband to Bekah; dad to Anson, Cadence, and Zion; a Texan, a Rangers fan, and a barbecue aficionado.
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In this episode, Danny and Josh sit down with Andrea Lee, author of Body Image: Valuing God’s Good Gift. They talk about her experience as a counselor to teenagers, and Lee shares why she wrote her book. In their conversation, Lee discusses the development of eating disorders, and why teenagers have such a difficult time accepting their bodies as a good gift from God. Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates andSubscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts
In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas TX, Lindsey Carlson shares how leaders can encourage teenagers with their words. In this talk, Lindsey shares that the most effective way to encourage teenagers is through the promises of God. Lindsey is the author of Growing in Godliness: A Teen Girl’s Guide to Maturing in Christ (Crossway 2019), A Better Encouragement: Trading Self-Help for True Hope (Crossway 2022), and Identity: Discovering Who You Are In Christ (P&R 2024). Lindsey Carlson is a pastor’s wife, a mother of five, and a devoted follower of Jesus. Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates andSubscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts
Do you endure a lot of awkward silences? Do you ever have that kid in your youth group that only gives you one word answers when you’re trying to strike up conversation? In Episode 8 of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Isaiah, Josh, and Danny discuss struggles and strategies for connecting with our students. Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates andSubscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts
In this main session talk from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, TX, Cameron Cole unpacks the story of Daniel 7. In his talk, Cameron discusses the constant chaos of the world, the certain stability of God, and the sustainable safety of the gospel. Cameron Cole is the founding chairman of Rooted Ministry. He is the co-editor of Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry: A Practical Guide (Crossway, 2016) and The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School (New Growth Press). Cameron is the author of Therefore I Have Hope: 12 Truths that Comfort, Sustain, and Redeem in Tragedy (Crossway, 2018) and Heavenward: How Eternity Can Change Your Life on Earth (Crossway, 2024). Cameron is married to Lauren and together they have four children, one of whom lives in heaven.
Rooted Resources:
Purchase the Rooted Daniel Curriculum
How the Book of Daniel Helps Us Lead Our Children to Live Counterculturally by Jason Engle
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates
Register for Rooted 2025 Conference in Chicago
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates and
Subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts
In this 7th episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Isaiah, Josh, and Danny discuss the challenge of teaching the Bible to students. Youth ministers often struggle with what to teach as well as ways to teach Scripture in an engaging way. If you’ve ever scratched your head on the morning of your mid-week event and wondered “What am I going to say tonight?” this is a great episode for you!Rooted offers Bible curriculum for 26 books of the Bible and more!Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates!Follow and subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates andSubscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts
In this main session talk from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, TX, Harold Kim unpacks the story of Daniel 6. From Daniel 6, Harold passionately shares the most effective way to fulfill your mission and how to fulfil your mission. Harold Kim is the founding pastor of Christ Central of Southern California, and serves on the board for Christ Central Network (CCN) and as president of SOLA. Harold is gratefully married to Sun Hi and a happy father of two daughters, Taylor and Elizabeth. His great joy and passion is to see lives changed as Jesus Christ becomes central to everything. Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates andSubscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts
In this 6th episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Isaiah, Josh, and Danny tackle a challenge that youth pastors everywhere are facing: How do we disciple students who are too busy to show up? They dive into the pressures that students face—from academics to sports to social commitments—and how this impacts their spiritual lives. The hosts also discuss practical ways youth pastors can adapt to meet students where they are without adding to their already overwhelming schedules. If you’re struggling with tension of ministry and busyness, this episode is packed with wisdom, encouragement, and grace-filled strategies.Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates!Follow and subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates andSubscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts
In this main session talk from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, TX, Anna Meade Harris unpacks the story of Daniel 4. Anna shares about the gracious pursuit of the Hound of Heaven. Anna Meade Harris is the is the Senior Director of Content at Rooted, co-host of the Rooted Parent podcast, and the author of God’s Grace for Every Family: Biblical Encouragement for Single Parent Families and the Churches That Seek to Love Them Well (Zondervan, 2024), winner of Christianity Today’s 2024 Book Award in the Marriage, Family, and Singleness category. Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates andSubscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts
In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Isaiah, Josh, and Danny dive into the role of youth ministry within the larger church context. They discuss the biblical and theological foundations for youth ministry, the importance of intergenerational integration, and the challenges of keeping students engaged in the church beyond high school. They also share practical strategies for strengthening connections between youth and the larger church body, as well as how to foster discipleship that lasts beyond youth group.Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates!Follow and subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates andSubscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts
In this main session talk from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, TX, Josh Hussung unpacks the story of Daniel 2. Josh shares that God is the revealer of mysteries. Josh is the Pastor of Youth and Families at Grace Community Church in Nashville, Tennessee, and has been in youth ministry for over 18 years.
Rooted Resources:
- Purchase the Rooted Daniel Curriculum
- Register for Rooted 2025 Conference in Chicago
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates and
Subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts
In this 4th episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Isaiah, Josh, and Danny talk about ethnic segregation in church. Do our churches and youth groups need to be multicultural or not? They also talk about diversity and differences, and they share a famous Martin Luther King Jr. quote. The guys close the conversation talking about their favorite youth ministry games.
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In this main session talk from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, TX, John Onwuchekwa (John O.) unpacks the story of Daniel 3. John O. shares how knowing God means you do not have to know the future. John is the North American Senior Director for Thought Leadership and Innovation for Redeemer City to City in New York, NY.
Rooted Resources:
- Purchase the Rooted Daniel Curriculum
- Register for Rooted 2025 Conference in Chicago
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates and
Subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts
In view of Black History Month, Isaiah, Josh, and Danny talk about issues of race, ethnicity, and culture. They consider how race and ethnicity need to be talked about and taught in their churches and youth ministries. Stay tuned for their discussion of their favorite icebreakers for youth group.
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In this main session talk from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, TX, K.A. Ellis unpacks the story of Daniel 1. Ellis shares how the same God who delivered Daniel is faithful to deliver us. Ellis is the Director of the Edmiston Center at Reformed Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia.
“Courage is a habit and it must become ours.”
Rooted Resources:
- Purchase the Rooted Daniel Curriculum
- How the Book of Daniel Helps Us Lead Our Children to Live Counterculturally by Jason Engle
- Register for Rooted 2025 Conference in Chicago
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates and
Subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts
In this second episode ofYouth Ministry Unscripted, Isaiah, Josh, and Danny talk real, honest, and raw about some of the biggest struggles they face as youth ministry leaders. They share the biggest challenges that youth pastors and churches face in ministry today, as well as how the gospel shapes us to love Jesus in the difficulties. Serving in ministry has given each of them a love/hate relationship with takeout pizza…
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Offering the 'what' and the 'why' of family ministry, longtime family minister Jimmy Kim also shares the 'how' of implementing family ministry in the local church. Working off the definition of family ministry as "churches equipping and empowering parents to spiritually invest in their kids," he offers ways to develop a family ministry that works in your context, for the spiritual formation of parents and kids and for God's glory. Jimmy Kim is a husband, a father of two, and the Executive Director of Family Transformation at Perimeter Church near Atlanta, GA.
References:
- How to Start a Family Ministry: A Practical Workshop with Cameron Cole
- How to Start a Family Ministry handout
- Deuteronomy 6: 4-9
- Proverbs 22:6
- Psalm 139
- Ephesians 6:-14
- Perspectives on Family MInistry: Three Views by Timothy Paul Jones
- Handing Down the Faith: How Parents Pass Their Religion on to the Next Generation by Christian Smith and Amy Adamczyk
- US Surgeon General Report on the Mental Health of Parents
- The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
- How to Start a Family Ministry in Your Church by Andy Cornett
- Find more information about Rooted's family ministry mentorship program.
- Check out more resources on family ministry and family discipleship.
- Join us for our 2025 Conference in Chicago, IL!
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In this premiere episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Isaiah, Josh, and Danny talk real, honest, and raw about gospel-centered youth ministry. The guys talk about ministry failures and how the gospel has shaped them through the hard times. They will stress the importance of youth leaders having places to be real, honest, and raw about the difficulties of ministry. They will also share their greatest joys in ministry, as well as the best post youth group snack they ever had.
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In this episode of the Rooted Parent Podcast, Melissa Kruger, the Director of Women’s Content at The Gospel Coalition, joins Cameron and Anna to discuss her new book Parenting With Hope: Raising Teens for Christ in a Secular Age. Written from her own experience of raising teenagers, Parenting With Hope encourages parents to seek the Lord’s wisdom as they parent out of the basic guiding principles of Scripture. Listen in as Cameron, Anna, and Melissa discuss the power of prayer, the value of weekly church attendance, and the most common idols parents face. Finally, you’ll hear them share some tools that can help parents cultivate a home where faith can flourish and parent out of the hope of the gospel.
Resources:* Parenting With Hope: Raising Teens for Christ in a Secular Age by Melissa Kruger * Age of Opportunity: A Biblical Guide to Parenting Teensby Paul David Tripp * The Teenage Brain: A Neuroscientist’s Survival Guide to Raising Adolescents and Young Adults by Frances E. Jensen * The Price of Privilege: How Parental Pressure and Material Advantage are Creating a Generation of Disconnected and Unhappy Kids by Madeline Levine * Check out more Rooted resources on prayer here * Check out more Rooted resources on church here
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In this episode, Danny hosts Rooted’s 6th annual book awards. He sits down to talk with Tracy Yi, Chelsea Erickson, Natalie Lett, and Tim Franks to discuss their selections for the 2024 Rooted Book Awards. Listen to hear their topic picks; the categories include best new books for youth ministers, parents, teenagers, and Bible teaching.
Here are your 2024 Book awards panelists:
Chelsea Kingston Erickson is Editor of Youth Ministry Content and the Director of Publishing for Rooted. She previously served as a youth pastor in New England churches for 13 years. She and her husband, Steve, live north of Boston and are parents to Wells and Emmett. Chelsea holds an M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where she is currently pursuing a Master of Theology (Th.M.) in Old Testament Studies. She is passionate about teaching teenagers biblical theology and helping them learn to study Scripture for themselves.
Tim Franks hails from the West Coast, California and Colorado. He graduated from Moody Bible Institute in 2005 and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2009. He married his wife Alicia in 2010. Tim and Alicia adopted Michael, Marlayna, and Maicee in 2020. He previously served in student ministry in Phoenix, AZ and Wilson, NC. He began serving at Eureka Bible Church as Associate Pastor in July 2017. Pastor Tim is an avid reader, loves watching and playing sports, and traveling to new places (especially historical sites).
Natalie Lett serves as student ministry coordinator at Church of the Cross in Birmingham, AL. She is a graduate of University of Alabama and holds a Master’s Degree in Education from Wake Forest University.
Tracy Yi is a mom of 3 and has served alongside her husband, Kevin, in youth ministry for over 16 years. She and Kevin now serve college and young adults ministry at Church Everyday in Southern California.
Timestamps:
[0:00] Welcome and Intro- Danny and Chelsea
[3:49] Best New Books for Parents - Tracy
[10:08] Best New Books for Youth Workers- Tim
[19:32] Best New Books for Teenagers- Natalie
[30:05] Best New Books for Bible Teaching-Chelsea
[44:30] Books from Rooted
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Closing out this series on overcoming disappointments in youth ministry, Danny talks with Kerry Trunfio, the Director of Children, Youth, and Family Life Ministry at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Topsfield, MA. Listen in as Kerry shares why she believes intergenerational integration to be an essential part of youth ministry, as well as some practical ideas for youth ministers who want to incorporate their students into the greater life of the church. Most especially, Kerry reminds us of how the gospel provides encouragement even in the midst of disappointing seasons where intergenerational integration doesn’t seem to be producing fruit.
Links:
- Check out more Rooted resources on intergenerational integration here.
- Join us for our 2024 Conference in Dallas, TX!
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates and
Subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts
In this episode, Danny sits down with Jennifer Ting to discuss the importance of partnering with parents in youth ministry. Jennifer, a new mother and long-time youth pastor, is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry in Ministry to Emerging Generations from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Tune in to hear Jennifer and Danny discuss why parents are so vital in the discipleship of teenagers, practical ways youth ministers can incorporate parents into their ministries, and how the gospel provides hope and encouragement in the face of disappointing season with parents.
Resources:
- Check out more Rooted resources on partnering with parents here.
- Join us for our 2024 Conference in Dallas, TX!
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates and
Subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts
In this episode, Danny sits down with Josh Newton, the Pastor of Student Ministries at The Orchard Evangelical Free Church in Barrington, Illinois to discuss the challenges and joys of engaging in relational discipleship with students. Danny and Josh discuss some practical ways youth leaders and volunteers can dig deeper into the lives of students, as well as offer gospel encouragement for youth ministers who feel disappointed with how they’ve navigated relational discipleship. Whether you are in a fruitful or frustrating season with relational discipleship, we hope you’ll be blessed by Danny and Josh’s wisdom in this episode.
Resources:
- Check out more Rooted resources on relational discipleship here.
- Join us for our 2024 Conference in Dallas, TX!
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates and
Subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts
In this episode, Danny sits down with Stephen Yates, the Assistant Pastor to Students at Intown Community Church in Atlanta, GA. Steve also is a visiting instructor at his alma mater, Covenant Theological Seminary and is currently working on his PhD in youth ministry. You’ll hear Danny and Steve discuss what it means to do theological depth well in youth ministry, as well as how youth pastors can apply their theological teaching to their own personal lives. Listeners will be encouraged with the reminder that even when some of our teaching seems to fall flat with students, God is still at work.
Resources:
- Stephen's previous conversation on the Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast
- Check out more Rooted resources on relational discipleship here.
- Join us for our 2024 Conference in Dallas, TX!
Listen to more episodes of the Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast.
Rooted Youth Ministry Archives - Rooted Ministry
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How do you know if your ministry is gospel-centered? In this episode, Danny sits down with Mike McGarry, a former youth pastor and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian, to help answer that question. In today’s episode, Mike and Danny discuss the “nuts and bolts” of gospel-centered youth ministry and why it’s so important for our students. You’ll hear them share how youth ministers can trust the sufficiency of Jesus, even when they fail to do gospel-centered youth ministry perfectly.
Resources:
- More resources on gospel-centered youth ministry here
- Join us for our 2024 Conference in Dallas, TX!
- Youth Pastor Theologian
- Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry: A Practical Guide
- Lead Them to Jesus: A Handbook for Youth Workers
Listen to more episodes of the Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast.
Rooted Youth Ministry Archives - Rooted Ministry
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Rooted introduces a new podcast focused on youth ministry in an Asian American context. It features a rotating panel of youth ministers who will talk about issues affecting Asian American youth and anyone ministering to them, whether in the home or in the church. This episode is a sample of what you will hear. The first full episode is available now at RootedMinistry.com/Podcasts. Or subscribe to the Asian American Youth Ministry Roundtable wherever you listen to podcasts.
Bios of PanelistsDorothy Lau Dorothy is the youth director at the Chinese Bible Church of Maryland (Rockville, MD) in the Washington D.C. metropolitan. She is passionate to serve the Lord through discipleship, musical worship, administration, and multimedia. Dorothy is a massive foodie, enjoys cooking for loved ones, and delights in trips to her home city of Chicago.
Huey Lee Huey Lee has been serving the local church in the youth ministry context for over 15 years, and holds a Masters of Divinity from Biblical Theological Seminary. He currently serves as a Pastor of Youth Ministry at Christ Central Presbyterian Church in Centreville, VA. He is married to his beautiful wife, Alice, and they are parents to 4 sons: Matthew, Ethan, Christian, and Lucas. He loves reading, Korean food, a good cup of coffee, and the growing pains that come with learning to play golf.
Justin WongJustin serves as the Pastor of Youth at Chinese Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. He has worked with students, parents, and families for the past 23 years. He graduated from Houston Baptist University with a biology degree and later received his Masters of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is currently finishing his Masters of Theology and Doctorate of Education from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is married Tina and they have two girls, Ella and Mia.
Terrence ShayTerrence serves as the Family Pastor at First Chinese Baptist Church, Walnut, located in Los Angeles County with the largest Asian population in the US. He has grown up in the immigrant church and believes unashamedly in its role to fulfill Jesus’ call to make disciples across all cultures and generations. He is gladly married to Regina and forever growing as a father of three children from middle school to college. He will go out of his way to cheer on LA sports (Lakers, Dodgers, UCLA Bruins) and to engage in a meaningful conversation.
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In this episode, Danny sits down with Vince Greenwald, the assistant pastor at Immanuel Church Nashville. Listen in as Danny and Vince discuss the joys and challenges of “equipping the saints for the work of ministry” with their youth volunteers. You’ll hear Vince explain how the truth of the gospel helps him navigate disappointments with youth volunteers, what he’s learned from his past mistakes, and about the importance of clear expectations with youth volunteers, all for the sake of better serving and loving the students in our ministries.
Resources:
- Join us for our 2024 Conference in Dallas, TX!
- Order Anxiety: Finding the Better Story by Liz Edrington today!
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In this episode, Danny sits down with Cristobal Tong, the Lead English Pastor at 3Stone/NYCAC, where he ministers to youth and college students. Tong also serves as a Spiritual Life Advisor at NYU.
Sometimes the teenagers in our lives and ministries will disappoint us. In this episode, Cristobal and Danny discuss the joys, challenges, and everything in-between when it comes to working with teenagers. Listen in to hear them share stories about how they have handled disappointments with students in the past and how the grace of Jesus has met them in those places.
Resources:
- Join us for our 2024 Conference in Dallas, TX!
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In this episode, Danny sits down with Justin Wong, the Pastor of Youth at Chinese Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. They discuss working and serving with Senior Pastors. Justin and Danny share the joys of the work, as well as offering ideas about how to overcome difficulties and disappointments.
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In this episode, Danny sits down with Josh Hussung, the Pastor of Youth and Families at Grace Community Church in Nashville, Tennessee. Josh and Danny discuss how to handle disappointments with the parents of the teenagers in their churches. They discuss how to serve these parents with love and grace, while navigating common difficulties and struggles.
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In this episode, Danny sits down with Ericson Joubert, the Director of Student Ministries at East Cobb Presbyterian Church in Marietta, Georgia. From their past interactions with various youth pastors and their own experiences in youth ministry, they discuss how to handle and overcome disappointments with their churches. While Danny and Ericson love their churches, they also know that serving within a church context can present challenges.
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In this episode, Danny sits down with Rebecca Lankford, Isaiah Marshall, and Cameron Cole. Together, these four created and authored Rooted’s Scope and Sequence Plan to be used with Rooted’s curriculum. Keeping in mind Rooted’s pillar of theological depth, they discuss why having a scope and sequence plan is important and how it can benefit the teenagers in our youth ministries and churches. Don’t miss this special episode where you’ll hear the details about the two different plans that they created.
Resources:
- Check out Rooted’s Scope and Sequence plan!
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In this episode, Danny has a conversation with Mac Harris, a youth pastor in Charlotte, NC and the son of a single mom. He authored the last chapter of God’s Grace for Every Family: Biblical Encouragement for Single-Parent Families and the Churches that Seek to Love Them Well, a book written by his mother, Anna Meade Harris. In this interview, Mac discusses how the church can care for single parent families well. His words from these two angles offer rich advice and encouragement for youth ministries and the church, as we care for single-parent families.
Resources:
- God’s Grace for Every Family: Biblical Encouragement for Single-Parent Families and the Churches That Seek to Love Them Well
- Rooted Parent Podcast
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In this episode, Danny sits down with Anna Meade Harris. She is author of God’s Grace for Every Family: Biblical Encouragement for Single-Parent Families and the Churches that Seek to Love Them Well. She also serves as Rooted’s Senior Director of Content. We discuss how the church can minister and care for single-parent families well. Her words from her experience as a single mom, as well as her interviews with others for her book, offer rich advice and encouragement for youth ministries and churches as we care for single-parent families.
Resources:
- Rooted Mentorship Program
- Purchase Anxiety: Finding the Better Story by Liz Edrington today.
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In this 8th and final episode of the mini-season, husband and wife Danny and Monica Kwon talk about working with the parents of teenagers as it relates to the mental health issues of teenagers and their families. They speak from their experience dealing with the mental health issues of one of their own teenagers, but also as Danny spent 29 years serving as the youth pastor at one church, while Monica is both a psychologist and a Christian counselor. In speaking from these three distinct but overlapping perspectives, they discuss how youth ministry, youth pastors, and churches, can work with parents and their teenagers, to help them navigate the potential mental health issues of their teenagers.
Resources:
- Purchase Anxiety: Finding the Better Story by Liz Edrington today.
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Danny sits down with veteran youth pastor Justin Wong. Justin serves as the Pastor of Youth at Chinese Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. He has worked with students, parents, and families for the past 24 years. He received his Masters of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
They discuss how social media impacts teenagers and families from a youth pastor’s perspective. Justin talks about how social media can be harmful in different ways, how it impacts the mental health of a teenager, but also how it can be redeemed by a youth ministry that expresses the hope of the gospel in the lives of teenagers.
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Danny sits down with longtime friend of Rooted Alice Churnock. Alice is a licensed professional counselor specializing in adolescents and college students. She enjoys leading seminars for groups both nationally and internationally, and is married and has two young boys in Birmingham, AL.
They sit down to talk about the topic of eating disorders in teenagers. She offers deep insights into eating disorders of teenagers as a licensed professional counselor. Moreover, for churches and youth ministries, her insights offer help for churches and youth ministries, as they serve teenagers and their families, battling these issues.
Resources:
- Purchase Anxiety: Finding the Better Story by Liz Edrington today.
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Danny sits down with longtime veteran Youth Pastor Brock Morgan. Brock is a popular speaker for retreats, conferences, and camps and has written twenty books including, Youth Ministry in a Post-Christian World and Beautiful Rebellion. Brock is the associate pastor at The Bridge Chino and lives in southern California with his wife Kelsey, their daughter Dancin and their puppy, C.S. Lewis.
They talk about teenage anxiety from a Youth Pastor’s perspective, including discussing Brock’s most recent book, The Anxious Teen. From the Youth Pastor’s perspective, they discuss the struggle of anxiety that is in the hearts and minds of today’s teenagers and how we might respond and be a part of bringing health and wholeness through the gospel and youth ministry.Brock also shares very intimately about his own struggles with anxiety.
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In this episode, Danny sits down with Liz Edrington. Danny and Liz talk about teenage anxiety from a counseling perspective for the church and youth ministry. As Liz has wide experience with youth and adult ministry, she offers a unique perspective on how the church and youth ministries can serve teenagers and families who struggle with anxiety. Liz is the author of a 31-day devotional for teenagers called Anxiety: Finding the Better Story (P&R Publishing, 2023).
Liz Edrington serves as the Fellowship Groups and Young Adults Director at North Shore Fellowship in Chattanooga, TN. She received her M.A. in Counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, FL, and she has worked with students in one form or another since 2002. She is an emeritus member of the Rooted steering committee.
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Husband and wife Danny and Monica Kwon talk about the role of the church and the youth minister in helping struggling teenagers and their families as they navigate mental health issues. As a seasoned youth minister and a Christian counselor, respectively, they offer helpful insights and practical suggestions on serving teens and families who are dealing with mental health struggles.
Before joining Rooted, Danny was the youth and family pastor at his church for 29 years. Monica is both a Christian counselor and licensed psychologist (PhD) who has treated mental health issues of teenagers and their families in both a clinical setting, and in serving along Danny in youth ministry. In this new mini-series season on youth ministry and mental health, Danny and Monica hope to help the church, youth workers, and parents as they minister to teenagers in some of their mental health challenges. Various other guests will be appearing in this new mini-season.
Resources:
www.NAMI.org
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In this second episode of the new mini-season of the RYMP, husband and wife Danny and Monica Kwon talk about gospel centrality as the foundation for dealing with the mental health issues of teenagers and their families. They speak from their experience dealing with the mental health issues of one of their own teenagers. Additionally, Danny spent 29 years serving as the youth pastor at one church, while Monica is both a psychologist and a Christian counselor. In speaking from these three distinct but overlapping perspectives, they admit their failures as leaders in the church, but also how they sought to apply the gospel as the foundation for their own family as well as in their service to teenagers and families dealing with mental health issues.
Before joining Rooted, Danny was the youth and family pastor at his church for 29 years. Monica is both a Christian counselor and licensed psychologist (PhD) who has treated mental health issues of teenagers and their families in both a clinical setting, and in serving along Danny in youth ministry. In this new mini-series season on youth ministry and mental health, Danny and Monica hope to help the church, youth workers, and parents as they minister to teenagers in some of their mental health challenges. Various other guests will be appearing in this new mini-season.
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In this first episode of the new mini-season of the RYMP, husband and wife Danny and Monica Kwon talk about various aspects of youth ministry and the issue of mental health in the lives of teenagers. This was recorded at their Rooted 2023 Conference workshop. Before joining Rooted, Danny was the youth and family pastor at his church for 29 years. Monica is both a Christian counselor and licensed psychologist (PhD) who has treated mental health issues of teenagers and their families in both a clinical setting, and in serving along Danny in youth ministry. In this new mini-series season on youth ministry and mental health, Danny and Monica hope to help the church, youth workers, and parents as they minister to teenagers in some of their mental health challenges. Various other guests will be appearing in this new mini-season.
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In this episode, Danny sits down to talk with Huey Lee, the longtime Youth Pastor at Christ Central Presbyterian Church in Northern Virginia and a member of Rooted’s Asian American Steering Committee. Together they reflect on hopes he has in youth ministry generally, as well as practical ways he strives to make the gospel central in youth ministry to his teenagers, parents, and ministry volunteers. Huey and Danny discuss aspects of persevering in youth ministry and some of the realities of serving teenagers, as well as how the gospel and its centrality help us continue in hope. Finally, he discusses personal ways he finds hope and perseveres in youth ministry.
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“We want the gospel to not just be at the surface level but go deep into the little parts and areas of our lives and hearts.”
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In this episode, Danny sits down to talk with Stephen Yates, who serves as an Assistant Pastor to Families and Students at Intown Community Church in Atlanta, GA, and is a visiting instructor at his alma mater, Covenant Theological Seminary, and the PCA’s NEXT Institute. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Educational Studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Stephen talks about hopes in youth ministry as a practitioner. He shares hopeful and purposeful ways that theological depth is implemented in youth ministry with students and adult small group leaders. Stephen also talks about the difficulties in implementing theological depth for youth ministry and some hopeful solutions and ways to persevere to overcome them, as well as personal ways he perseveres in ministry.
“Students are much smarter than we have often given them credit for.”
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In this episode, Danny sits down to talk with Travis Palmer, Dallas Knight, Emily Seibert, and Jamie Negus to discuss mentoring and their participation in the Rooted Youth Pastor Mentoring cohort. They discuss the valuable lessons and importance of mentoring, as well as the particular benefits and joys of the Rooted Youth Ministry Mentoring Cohorts were for them.
Quotes:
“A mentor to me has really critical to me as a human, but also me in youth ministry and as a youth director…. because a mentor outside of my specific context…has been really powerful for me…. because they are able to ask questions that people within the context wouldn’t be able to ask.” - Emily Seibert
“The mentorship for me…having someone as a seasoned person who has done it for a long time, to walk alongside you through…really helped with my mental health and support.” - Jamie Negus
"The one-on-one times [of the Rooted mentorship program], where you just bring things that have been really hard in ministry, or areas you knew you were just struggling…and have to just spend working through issues and programs…there’s not a number you can put on the value it put on our ministry here.” - Travis Palmer
“My biggest thing [about the Rooted mentoring program] is I knew I could go to my cohort or mentor with a problem, whether it was in an official meeting or a text, and just be like…can we talk…I am dealing with something here and I need someone else who is in this role to talk about it. And that’s why I would recommend [the Rooted mentoring program], because it gets you connected in ways that don’t naturally happen all the time.” - Dallas Knight
Links:
www.rootedministry.com/mentorship
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In this episode, Danny sits down to talk with Tracy Yi, Chelsea Erickson, Rebecca Lankford, and Tim Franks to discuss their selections for the 2023 Rooted Book Awards. The categories include best new books for youth ministers, parents, teenagers, and for Bible teaching.
Here are your 2023 Book Awards Panelists:
Chelsea Kingston Erickson
Chelsea is Editor of Youth Ministry Content and the Director of Publishing for Rooted. She previously served as a youth pastor in New England churches for 13 years. She and her husband, Steve, live north of Boston and are parents to Wells and Emmett. Chelsea holds an M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where she is currently pursuing a Master of Theology (Th.M.) in Old Testament Studies. She is passionate about teaching teenagers biblical theology and helping them learn to study Scripture for themselves.
Rebecca Lankford
Rebecca serves as the Ministry Development Coordinator/Assistant Editor for Rooted. Previously, she has worked in both youth and young adult ministries. She is a graduate of Furman University and recently completed her master’s in theology at Beeson Divinity School. Rebecca is happiest on a porch swing, in a boat, or on the dance floor.
Tim Franks
Tim hails from the West Coast, California and Colorado. He graduated from Moody Bible Institute in 2005 and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2009. He married his wife Alicia in 2010. Tim and Alicia adopted Michael, Marlayna, and Maicee in 2020. He previously served in student ministry in Phoenix, AZ and Wilson, NC. He began serving at Eureka Bible Church as Associate Pastor in July 2017. Pastor Tim is an avid reader, loves watching and playing sports, and traveling to new places (especially historical sites).
Tracy Yi
Tracy is a mom of 3 and has served alongside her husband, Kevin, in youth ministry for over 16 years and now serves college and young adults ministry at Church Everyday in Southern California.
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In this episode, Danny sits down to talk with Matt Luchenbill, the Students & Family Ministries Pastor at New City Presbyterian Church outside Detroit, MI, and the Director of the NextGen (Youth Ministry) Ministries of the Presbyterian Church of America (PCA) denomination. Matt talks about some whys and hows in partnering with parents. While these relationships can be both hopeful and difficult, partnering with parents is worth our perseverance.
“Ask questions, learn from parents. Take that humble perspective, that teachable perspective to seek understanding.”
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In this episode, Danny sits down to talk with Emmie Thompson, co-director of Middle School Ministry at Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church on Lookout Mountain, TN and Adjunct Professor of Youth Ministry at Covenant College. Emmie reflects on different and distinct ways to promote intergenerational integration in youth ministry, not only adults to students, but older students to young students. Emmie also talks about investing in high school and college leaders, as well as adults, so her middle schoolers can benefit from these intergenerational relationships directly and indirectly. Finally, she speaks about the realities and difficulties in youth ministry and how to persevere through them.
“The high school volunteer and college volunteer piece is so important to us because it’s really showing middle schoolers what being a high school Christian looks like, and they see that being embodied.”
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In this episode, Danny sits down to talk with Syler Thomas, who has been overseeing and leading the student ministries (along with other roles) at Christ Church in Lake Forest, Illinois since 1998. Syler been a frequent speaker at Rooted Conferences and serves on the Rooted Steering Committee and Parent Steering Committee. He talks about hope and perseverance in youth ministry in general and in terms of the realities of youth ministry in new seasons. He also talks about hope and perseverance in relational discipleship, along with how youth workers in ministry can nurture practices and rhythms to embrace a healthy, gospel-centered perspective, in order to thrive, survive, and persevere in ministry.
“I do think there is some sprinting that happens in the fall, but you have to keep in mind that it is a marathon. You are always looking at the big picture. And so caring for my soul becomes really important.”
Resources:
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In this joint episode with Anna Meade Harris, host of the Rooted Parent podcast, Danny Kwon welcomes Mike McGarry, author of a newly released book for teenagers, Discover: Questioning Your Way to Faith. As a veteran youth worker, father and husband, Mike is no stranger to the difficult questions kids ask. In his book, Mike answers twenty tough questions with insight, compassion, and theological integrity. In our podcast, you'll hear him discuss how to make questions welcome in your home and ministry.
"When we shame kids for asking questions, we're making it more difficult for them emotionally to ask their questions."
Resources:
- Join us at Rooted 2023 to hear Mike's workshop on teaching theology to teenagers.
- Discover: Questioning Your Way to Faith
- Teenagers Need a Safe Place to Ask Hard Questions by Anna Meade Harris
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In this episode, Tucker sits down with Andrew King, the Youth and Family Pastor of Hope Community Church in Charlotte, NC, to talk about the importance of building relationships with students in youth ministry. Andrew has a wealth of practical insight to offer on one of Rooted's five pillars; press play to hear it!
"I am building trust, I am building a relationship, so that when things are difficult, I've become a person they can trust and can come to with harder questions."
Resources:
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram
Join us for our 2023 conference in Nashville, TN for workshops on relational discipleship.
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In this episode, Tucker sits down to talk about Intergenerational Integration with Isaiah Marshall, the Director of Student Ministry at Strong Tower Bible Church in Nashville, TN. Isaiah talks about how to integrate students into the life of the local church, and how to integrate the local church into the lives of students. Press play to hear more!
"Young people co-laboring with older adults communicates that that young person has something of value to contribute."
Resources:
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram
Join us for our 2023 conference in Nashville, TN!
On this episode of the Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast, Tucker sits down with Terrence Shay, the Family Ministry Pastor at FCBC Walnut in Southern California, to talk about the administrative responsibilities of Youth Ministry. Click play to hear Terrence speak about the importance of administration and organization in ministry and how it serves the people you work with.
On this episode of the Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast, Tucker sits down with Becca Heck, a longtime youth worker from metro-Atlanta, to talk about the necessity of the youth pastor's care for their own soul. Since youth ministry is a profession prone to burnout, Becca talks to us about how we can not only avoid that, but also make sure we stay spiritually healthy for the long haul.
Resources:
- Anxiety: Finding the Better Story, by Liz Edrington
- Follow @therootedministry on Instagram
- Join us for our 2023 conference in Nashville, TN!
On this week’s episode of the Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast, Tucker sits down with Skyler Flowers, steering committee member and Assistant Pastor at Grace Bible Church in Oxford, Mississippi, to talk about what Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry looks like in the day-to-day life of a youth group. Click play to hear more!
Resources:
Gospel-Centered Resources at Rooted
Kendal Conner's Bible-Storying Talk on the Rooted Conference Podcast
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Danny Kwon is a longtime Youth Pastor, college professor, and Senior Director of Youth Ministry Content and Cross Cultural Initiatives for Rooted, and in this episode of the Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast he speaks with Tucker Fleming as part of our Foundations of Youth Ministry series about the history of youth ministry. If youth pastors struggle to understand the history of their field, it's difficult to move forward in a fruitful way. Hit play to hear Danny flesh out a timeline of the history of youth ministry and why it matters for youth pastors today.
Resources:
Rooted Resources on the History of Youth Ministry
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Kyle Hoffsmith is the Pastor of Family Ministry at Old North Church in Canfield, OH, and in this episode of the Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast he speaks with Tucker Fleming as part of our Foundations of Youth Ministry series about the benefits of teaching and preaching theologically. A hesitation for many when it comes to teaching theologically in a youth context is the concern that students won't be able to keep up. Hit play to hear Kyle flesh out why he teaches and preaches theologically, and why you should as well.
Resources:
Rooted Resources on Theological Depth
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Meredith Dixon hails from Savannah, GA, and studied Sociology at the University of North Georgia. Her deep desire to know, love and disciple students was sparked while serving middle schoolers at her home church. She served at East Cobb Presbyterian Church for about 5 years and now serves as the Youth Ministry Coordinator at Atlanta Westside Presbyterian Church. When not hanging out with students and their families, Meredith loves to peruse bookstores, read, listen to music, spend time with friends, hike in fall weather, and find new coffee shops. She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies at Reformed Theological Seminary and serves on the PCA NextGen Committee. Listen in as she talks with Tucker about what relational discipleship is, why it's important, and how she prioritizes it in her ministry.
Resources:
Rooted Youth Ministry Resources
1 Thessalonians 2:8
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Bethlehem College
Arek O'Connell is a California native who currently serves as an ordained high school and young adult youth pastor at Hillside Community Church in Grand Rapids, MI where he lives with his wife Jamie and two daughters. Arek holds an M. Div. from Western Theological Seminary, but he's still just a big kid at heart. Arek loves spending time with family and friends and will talk to you about football, specifically the Raiders, for hours if you want to. Join him as he chats with Tucker about building a philosophy of youth ministry to guide you for years of fruitful ministry.
Resources
Book Recommendation: Strange Rites, by Tara Isabella Burton
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Join us for our 2023 conference in Nashville, TN!
Tucker Fleming talks with Tim Franks, the Associate Pastor at Eureka Bible Church, about how to teach students to do inductive Bible study and how inductive Bible study can improve your own teaching and preaching.
Resources:
Rooted Resources on Bible Teaching
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Join us for our 2023 conference in Nashville, TN!
SOSMemphis.org
Tucker Fleming talks with Vince Greenwald, the student minister at Immanuel Nashville, about how youth ministers can work with parents to bring students closer to Jesus.
Resources:
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram
Join us for our 2023 conference in Nashville, TN!
Syler Thomas is a native Texan who has been the student ministries pastor at Christ Church in Lake Forest, Illinois, since 1998. He writes a column for YouthWorker Journal, has had articles published in Leadership Journal and the Chicago Tribune, and is the co-author of two books. Syler and his wife, Heidi, have four kids. Today, he sits down with Tucker Fleming for another installment of our Foundations of Youth Ministry series to chat about the importance of volunteers in youth ministry. Hit play to hear more about it!
Resources:
Rooted Resources on Volunteers
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Join us for our 2023 conference in Nashville, TN!
Steve Yates is the Pastor of Students and Families at Intown Community Church in Atlanta, GA, and in this episode of the Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast he speaks with Tucker Fleming as part of our Foundations of Youth Ministry series about the benefits of teaching through whole books of the Bible without losing some of the benefits of topical teaching. Hit play to hear Steve flesh out why he teaches book by book and how he does so in a way that applies the truth of Scripture to our cultural moment.
Resources:
Rooted Resources for Biblical Teaching
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Dr. Anthony Bradley teaches theology at Kings' College, and in this episode of the Rooted Youth Ministry podcast he speaks with Cameron Cole about what he hears from the college freshmen he teaches. Tune in to hear what Bradley's students have to say about Biblical literacy and intergenerational integration. You'll also want to listen for what teenagers really think about hanging out with adults (hint: you might learn something unexpected).
Anthony Bradley is Professor of Religious Studies, The King’s College.
Talk to Your Kids about Failure – and Share Stories from Your Life by Kari Kampakis
Don’t Banish Your Students to the Kids’ Table by Dan Montgomery
Rooted Resources for Integrating Students Into the Life of Your Church
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In this episode of The Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast, Dr. Michelle Reyes, co-author of The Race-Wise Family: Ten Postures to Becoming Households of Healing and Hope, shares what it means to be "race-wise" (and why it matters to God). Helpfully differentiating between gospel-centered multi-ethnicity and unhelpful, un-scriptural ideologies, Dr. Reyes then shares about how youth workers can partner with parents to equip and encourage families in the work of raising race-wise teenagers. As you discuss race and ethnicity with the teenagers you serve, you won't want to miss this invaluable resource.
Resources:
Rooted Recommends: The Race-Wise Family
Fear Factor: Fear of Talking with Our Children About Race with Dr. Michelle Reyes
Cultivating Spaces That Are Safe From Racism in Youth Ministry
As parents who both serve on the staff of a local church, Chris and Katie Polski are aware of the unique challenges which press upon the children of vocational ministry leaders. In this episode of The Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast, the Polskis help youth workers understand these challenges, as well as the opportunities to provide meaningful shepherding and care to ministry kids. Full of both grace and truth, this episode will help youth workers become advocates and allies to the ministry kids they serve!
Links:
Chris & Katie Polski
Rooted Reservoir
Rooted Conference
In this episode, Isaiah Marshall joins the Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast to share about his passion for creative communication. Drawing from his experiences as a youth minister, Isaiah shares how creative gospel communication empowers all sorts of students to recognize their gifts and utilize their abilities to minister to the body of Christ. Far from being "gimmicky," Isaiah gives listeners a vision for how creative communication techniques can develop leaders and proclaim the gospel message far and wide!
Links:
Strong Tower Bible Church
Isaiah on Instagram
Rooted Conference
Rooted Reservoir
This episode of The Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast features the reviewers of each category of Rooted’s 2022 Book Awards: Chelsea Erickson (Best New Books to Talk About with Teenagers), Tucker Fleming (Best New Books for Teenagers), Davis Lacey (Best New Books for Youth Workers), and Tracy Yi (Best New Books for Parents). Listen to hear the honorable mentions, as well as the award recipients, of the 2022 Rooted Book Awards!
The Awards!
Follow these links to learn more about the 2022 Book Award Winners
Recommendations from Anna Meade Harris, Rooted’s Senior Director of Content
You're Only Human: How Your Limits Reflect God's Design and Why That's Good News by Kelly Kapic
Everything Sad Is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri
BEST NEW BOOKS FOR PARENTS:
- Honorable Mention: Humble Moms: How the Work of Christ Sustains the Work of Motherhood by Kristen Wetherell.
- Winners:
- Special Grace, Prayers and Reflections for Families with Special Needs by Elrena Evans
- Raising Emotionally Strong Boys: Tools Your Son Can Build on for Life by David Thomas
BEST NEW BOOKS FOR TEENAGERS:
- Honorable Mentions:
- Who Am I and Why Do I Matter? by Chris Morphew
- Alongside Jesus: Devotions for Teenagers by Drew Hill
- Winner: Read This First: A Simple Guide to Getting the Most from the Bible by Gary Millar
BEST NEW BOOKS TO TALK ABOUT WITH TEENAGERS:
- Honorable Mentions:
- Faithfully Different: Regaining Biblical Clarity in a Secular Culture by Natasha Crain
- Terms of Service: The Real Cost of Social Media by Chris Martin
- Cultural Counterfeits: Confronting 5 Empty Promises of Our Age and How We Were Made for So Much More by Jen Oshman
- Winner: Jesus Through the Eyes of Women: How the First Female Disciples Help Us Know and Love the Lord by Rebecca McLaughlin
BEST NEW BOOKS FOR YOUTH WORKERS:
- Honorable Mention:
- Spurgeon the Pastor: Recovering a Biblical and Theological Vision for Ministry by Geoffrey Chang
- Understanding Family Worship: Its History, Theology and Practiceby Terry L. Johnson
- Winner: Authentic Ministry: Serving from the Heartby Michael Reeves
Dr. Brian Albert wrote a doctoral dissertation on the suffering and depression of "The Prince of Preachers," Charles Spurgeon. During his time with Rooted at the 2022 Conference in Kansas City, Dr. Albert was kind enough to join Davis for a podcast in which he shares his insights with youth workers! Davis and Dr. Albert speak of the common struggles which may lead youth workers to experience discouragement and/or depression and tease out wisdom-principles for discerning times to faithfully endure vs. times to pursue respite. The episode ends with gospel hope for youth workers who experience discouragement and/or depression.
Additional Resources
- Learn more about Dr. Albert's ministry by visiting https://www.calvarybaptistlenexa.com
- "Refreshment for the Youth Minister who feels Unwanted, Unloved or Unapproved" by Davis Lacey: https://rootedministry.com/refreshment-for-the-youth-minister-who-feels-unwanted-unloved-or-unapproved/
- Rooted Resourced for the Tired Youth Minister: https://rootedministry.com/rooted-resources-for-the-tired-youth-minister/
Rev. Chris Polski has decades of experience as both a youth minister and as a senior pastor. On this episode of The Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast, Chris joins Davis and draws on this extensive experience to coach youth ministers on how to handle conflict-situations with members of their churches' senior leadership teams. What are helpful ways to deal with conflict? What approaches are detrimental? And how is the good news of the gospel pervasive, even in tough situations such as these? These questions and others are addressed with frankness and hope on this episode of The Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast!
Additional Resources
- Chris Polski's Rooted Author Page
- "Intergenerational Integration Begins with Ministry Staff"
- "Five Questions for Conflict Resolution in Student Ministry"
- Learn more about Chris' ministry by visiting https://trinitychurchkirkwood.org
One of Rooted's five pillars is theological depth through biblical exposition. Anyone who has taught teenagers understands that this aspiration is easier to affirm than it is to apply! How can a youth minister teach the tough truths of Scripture in a sensitive and engaging way to teenagers? Seth Stewart, Editor in Chief of Spoken Gospel, joins the podcast to discuss these very topics!
Additional Resources:
- Be sure to check out Rooted's grace-filled, gospel-centered, Bible-saturated discipleship curricula at rootedreservoir.com!
- Spoken Gospel: https://www.spokengospel.com
- "7 Ways to See Jesus in the Royal and Wisdom Psalms" - https://rootedministry.com/7-ways-to-see-jesus-in-the-royal-and-wisdom-psalms/
In this episode, Davis is joined by Mac Harris, a current seminary student, and the youth and family ministries coordinator for Hope Community Church in Charlotte, NC. Mac shares some of the most impactful things he is learning in seminary, and how those insights have directly benefited his ministry to young people. He also provides fresh insights on how youth workers can determine whether or not seminary is a wise investment (of time and of money) and encourages churches to partner with youth workers as they pursue ministry development.
Additional Resources
- Jump-start your ministry development using the resources available at https://www.rootedreservoir.com
- Chelsea Erickson, "Youth Ministers - Yes, You Should Consider an M.Div. (and Here's Why)"
- Melanie Lacy, "Youth Ministry in Spite of Formal Training"
Rooted Reservoir launched a new Romans curriculum over the summer, and on today's episode, the author (Mac Harris) joins us for a conversation about teaching the Book of Romans to teenagers. Mac provides a summary of the theme(s) of Romans, as well as a list of resources he found helpful in writing the curriculum. Moreover, he provides youth workers with the encouragement that the real power in teaching the Bible isn't in the youth worker's skill or eloquence - but rather in the power of God!
Additional Resources
- Rooted Reservoir (rootedreservoir.com)
- Romans for You by Tim Keller (chs. 1-7, and chs. 8-16)
- Douglas Moo's commentary on Romans - https://www.christianbook.com/romans-second-edition-international-commentary-testament/douglas-moo/9780802871213/pd/871216
- The Message of Romans by John Stott (https://www.christianbook.com/the-message-romans-bible-speaks-today/john-stott/9780830812462/pd/12460)
Charlotte Getz has tirelessly served youth ministers through her faithful ministry at Rooted - both as our editor in chief and as our director of publishing projects. As Charlotte transitions out of her formal involvement with Rooted, we at The Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast wanted to honor Charlotte for her service. We also wanted to learn from her personal experience as a youth minister. Tune-in to this episode to hear Charlotte discuss the importance of "showing up," the value of meaningful female-male ministry partnerships, the significance trips can play in a teenager's spiritual development, and more!
Additional Resources
- "Youth Minister, Show Up for That Soccer Game" - https://rootedministry.com/blog/youth-minister-show-up-for-that-soccer-game/
- "Planning Retreats with a Goal in Mind: Four Gospel-Fruits of Getting Away" - https://rootedministry.com/blog/planning-retreats-goal-mind-four-gospel-fruits-getting-away/
- Charlotte's 2021 Conference Plenary, "Can These Bones Live?" - https://rootedministry.com/podcast/rooted-conference-charlotte-getz-can-these-bones-live/
On today's episode of The Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast, Director of Ministry Development Tucker Fleming discusses how mentorship was crucial to his development as a youth minister. Listeners will be encouraged to seek mentorship for themselves and will also be provided with some helpful tools to initiate the process with potential mentors.
Additional Resources:
- Email Tucker at tucker@rootedministry.com
- "How to Survive and Thrive in Your First Youth Ministry Job" - https://rootedministry.com/blog/how-to-survive-and-thrive-in-your-first-youth-ministry-job/
As the "dog days" of Summer give way to the beginning of new school years, many youth workers feel like "tired puppies." In this episode, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development, Tucker Fleming, shares how Rooted Reservoir can be of service to overwhelmed youth workers. In this concise episode, you'll hear about how Rooted Reservoir does more than alleviate the time crunches which often appear on a youth minister's calendar. Rooted Reservoir also provides unique opportunities to nourish the hearts of youth workers through the gospel of grace.
Additional Resources:
- Learn more about Rooted Reservoir by visiting https://www.rootedreservoir.com
- Tucker Fleming's author page: https://rootedministry.com/author/tucker-fleming/
On today's episode, Vince Greenwood (Student Ministry Director at Immanuel Church Nashville) previews the workshop he will be leading at Rooted's 2022 Conference: "From Frustrating to Fruitful: Hope for your Middle School Ministry." Vince spends time talking about what sets middle school ministry apart as particularly difficult and challenging, but not without also shedding light on the incredible hope and opportunity that accompany ministry to students in these tender years of life. Finally, he outlines some practical points of guidance for middle school ministry practitioners. If you know and love middle school students - you won't want to miss this episode of The Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast!
Additional Resources
Register for Rooted's 2022 conference (Oct. 6-8 in Kansas City, MO) at www.rooted-conference.com.
Immanuel's definition of the gospel: "God’s love for sinners through the finished work of Christ and the unlimited power of the Holy Spirit."
Kendal Conner is a former Rooted steering committee member and will be featured at this year's Rooted Conference as both a plenary speaker and a workshop leader. She joins the Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast to give us the inside scoop on the best places to eat and hang out in Kansas City (this year's conference site). She also spends some time describing why Generation Z is classified as a "Post-Christian" generation, as well as sharing the unique challenges and opportunities of sharing the gospel with this generation of students.
In addition to listening to this episode of The Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast, you won't want to miss Kendal's workshop at the 2022 Rooted Conference: "Teaching the Scriptures to a Post-Christian Generation."
Additional Resources
Rooted's 2022 Conference will be held Oct. 6-8 in Kansas City. To learn more about the conference, and to register, visit https://www.rooted-conference.com.
Learn more about Meet Generation Z by James Emery White by visiting http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/meet-generation-z/382100.
Read more about "Bible Storying" in this Rooted article by Kendal Conner: https://rootedministry.com/blog/bible-storying-in-a-post-christian-generation/
On today's episode of The Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast, the hosts of Rooted's Thanos to Theos (Clark Fobes, Mike McGarry, and Kevin Yi) discuss how youth ministry is different during the summer months, as well as strategies for effectively shepherding students during hectic rhythms, lethargic rhythms, and rhythms in-between! They also spend time talking through the youth minister's self-care during the summer - and, of course, plugging the awesome content curated by Thanos to Theos!
Additional Resources
Thanos to Theos: https://rootedministry.com/podcast/series/thanos-to-theos/
The Asian American Christian Collaborative: https://www.asianamericanchristiancollaborative.com
Youth Pastor Theologian: https://www.youthpastortheologian.com
Throughout the month of June, as many around the country and around the world commemorate Pride Month, youth ministry practitioners are considering how to speak out and serve in grace-filled, gospel-centered, Bible-saturated ways. Today's guest, Stephen Yates, highlights a number of resources that will help youth workers do exactly that.
Additional Resources
- Stephen's Rooted Author Page: https://rootedministry.com/author/stephen-yates/
- The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding: https://cpyu.org
- Brene Brown: https://brenebrown.com
- Creation Regained: https://www.eerdmans.com/Products/2969/creation-regained.aspx
- Dr. Mark Yarhouse/The Center for Faith, Sexuality and Gender: https://www.centerforfaith.com/about/leadership/dr-mark-yarhouse
- Sam Allberry's resource page at The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/profile/sam-allberry/
- Jackie Hill Perry: https://jackiehillperry.com
- Preston Sprinkle: https://www.prestonsprinkle.com
- Rosaria Butterfield: https://rosariabutterfield.com
One of Rooted’s five pillars is intergenerational integration: “not segregating students from the church body but including them among all of the generations of the church.” Cam Potts joins The Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast to outline the importance of this ministry distinctive from a biblical and gospel-centered perspective. He also gives plenty of practical advice on how to take advantage of summertime rhythms to take the first step or the next step towards integrating the teenagers in your church into the body of Christ at large.
Additional Resources:
Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry, edited by Cameron Cole and Jon Nielson
Faith that Lasts by Jon Nielson
Practical Family Ministry by Timothy Paul Jones
Access other Rooted resources written about intergenerational integration here: https://rootedministry.com/?tag=intergenerational-integration&post_types=&author_id=&s=
Show Notes:
To learn more about Scott's ministry, and to purchase a copy of Heroic Disgrace, visit https://heroicdisgrace.com/
Dealing With the Shame of Depression by Clark Fobes
Where Will Weary Teenagers Find Rest, If Not at Youth Group? by Cameron Cole
Parenting A Child With Major Depressive Disorder by Ingram Link
Student Series: What Students Need from You During Seasons of Mental Illness by Emily Jenkins
The Hide & Seek of Coping Mechanisms by Liz Edrington
With teen mental health deteriorating over five years, there’s a likely culprit by Jean Twenge
Mental Health and Generation Z by Dallas Theological Seminary
Additional Resources
Doreen's book Deceived No More: How Jesus Led Me Out of the New Age and Into His Word (https://www.thomasnelson.com/9780785234227/deceived-no-more/).
Doreen's Instagram Handle: @doreenvirtu
John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress (https://document.desiringgod.org/the-pilgrim-s-progress-en.pdf?ts=1446648353)
Truth for Life, the ministry of Alistair Begg: https://www.truthforlife.org
In this interview, Doreen exhorts Christ-followers to avoid Yoga and The Enneagram. For the counter-perspectives of other Bible-believing Christians in relation to these topics, please refer to the following resources:
- "The Gospel Story and our Cultural Practies: An Interview with James K.A. Smith" (second question) - https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/the-gospel-story-and-our-cultural-practices-an-interview-with-james-k-a-smith/
- "Ask Alice: The Gospel and the Enneagram (an Interview with John Fooshee)" - https://rootedministry.com/podcast/ask-alice-the-gospel-and-the-enneagram-an-interview-with-john-fooshee-part-1/
Show Notes
seeJesus Student Ministry Website
Jimmy Davis, Cruciform: Living the Cross-Shaped Life
Trevor Hudson, Discovering our Spiritual Identity
Paul Miller's "The Love Course" lectures
Paul Miller, J-Curve: Dying and Rising with Jesus in Everyday Life
Gospel Harmony (Thomas and Gundry, eds.)
Additional Resources
- Dr. Moore's The Courage to Stand: Facing Your Fear without Losing Your Soul (https://www.amazon.com/Courage-Stand-Facing-without-Losing/dp/1535998539)
- Dr. Moore on "Teaching Students to have Gospel-Formed Consciousness" (https://www.rootedministry.com/podcast/rooted-podcast-dr-russell-moore-on-teaching-students-to-have-gospel-formed-consciousnesses/)
- Dr. Moore on Comics and Culture (https://www.rootedministry.com/podcast/episode-28-russell-moore-on-comics-culture/)
2019 The Gospel Coalition Conference in Indianapolis
Register for the 2022 Rooted Conference
Resources Mentioned:
Chattanooga Institute for Faith, Work, and Culture
Genesis chapters 1 and 2
Every Good Endeavor, by Dr. Tim Keller
Colossians 1:13-20
LAUNCH Chattanooga
Rooted Conference
Additional Resources:
Birmingham Urban Young Life’s website: https://bhamurbaneast.younglife.org
Youth Ministry Q&A with Cameron Cole, Sedrick Moore, Rebecca Heck, and Kevin Yi
Dean Inserra’s The Unsaved Christian: Reaching Cultural Christianity with the Gospel
Additional Resources:
Greg Meyer’s author page: https://www.rootedministry.com/author/greg-meyer/
Greg’s website: https://gs-meyer.com
Purchase A Student’s Guide to Justification at https://www.amazon.com/Track-Justification-Students-Guide-Doctrine/dp/1527108058
Learn more about the Track series at https://www.christianfocus.com/series/167/track
"Five Quotes from ‘A Student’s Guide to Justification’” - https://www.rootedministry.com/blog/five-quotes-from-a-students-guide-to-justification/
For more resources on justification, visit https://www.rootedministry.com/?tag=&post_types=&author_id=&s=justification
Ben Sciacca, author of the book Meals from Mars: A Parable of Prejudice and Providence, serves as the Director of Leadership Development at Desire Street Ministries.
Sho Baraka, author of He Saw That It Was Good: Reimagining Your Creative Life to Repair a Broken World, wrote the afterword for Meals from Mars. He is a founding member of the 116 Clique and Record Label, as well as a co-founder of the AND Campaign.
Additional Resources:
Use this link to purchase a copy of Meals from Mars at a 35% discount (with passcode ROOTED) - https://www.navpress.com/p/meals-from-mars/9781631465444
He Saw That It Was Good - https://www.amazon.com/Saw-That-Was-Good-Reimagining-ebook/dp/B08FHBS87M
The AND Campaign - https://www.andcampaign.org
Sho’s album The Narrative - https://open.spotify.com/album/5BsScM9mlXSIhGsUwy8Yiv
Rebecca McLaughlin’s books - https://www.rebeccamclaughlin.org/confronting-christianity
Under Our Skin by Benjamin Watson - https://www.amazon.com/Under-Our-Skin-Getting-Frustrations/dp/149641330X
Desire Street Ministries - https://desirestreet.org
Ben Sciacca’s “Dr. Martin Luther King and the Mud in Our Eyes” - https://www.rootedministry.com/blog/dr-martin-luther-king-and-the-mud-in-our-eyes/
Doreena Williamson on the Importance of Celebrating Black History Month (with Non-Black Students) - https://www.rootedministry.com/podcast/rooted-podcast-dorena-williamson-on-the-importance-of-celebrating-black-history-month-with-non-black-students/
Additional Resources:
Brian is the founder of Legacy Disciple - a ministry which exists to encourage, equip, and empower everyday Christians to be disciples of Christ who make disciples for Christ. Learn more by visiting https://legacydisciple.org.
Brian Dye’s Plenary for Rooted’s 2019 Conference: https://www.rootedministry.com/podcast/rooted-podcast-rooted-podcast-brian-dye-on-the-lamb-the-rabbi-and-the-christ/
Without further ado - here are the winners and honorable mentions of Rooted’s 2021 Book Awards. Happy reading!
Books for Teenagers Award Winners
Honorable Mentions
Brave, A Young Girl’s Guide to Beating Worry and Anxiety by Sissy Goff, Baker Publishing Group.
Surviving Religion 101: Letters to a Christian Student on Keeping the Faith in College by Michael Kruger, Crossway. (review on Rooted)
Winner
10 Questions Every Kid Should Ask (and Answer) about Christianity by Rebecca McLaughlin, Crossway. (Review on Rooted; companion book for adults Confronting Christianity reviewed here.)
Parenting Award Winners
Honorable Mentions
Prayers for a Parent series by Kathleen Nielsen: Young Children, Teens, Young Adults, Adult Children, P&R Publishing. (Rooted review here.)
Winner
Forming Resilient Children: The Role of Spiritual Formation for Healthy Development by Holly Catterton Allen, IVP.
Youth Ministry Award Winners
Honorable Mentions
Searching For Grace: A Weary Leader, A Wise Mentor, and Seven Healing Conversations for a Parched Soul by Scotty Smith and Russ Masterson, Tyndale Momentum.
Five Views on the Future of Youth Ministry: Perspectives on What Could or Should Be edited by Mark Ostreicher, Youth Cartel.
Winner
Lead Them to Jesus: A Handbook for Youth Workers by Mike McGarry, New Growth Press. (Rooted review here.)
Challenging Life Issues Award Winners
Honorable Mentions
Talking With Teens About Sexuality: Critical Conversations About Social Media, Gender Identity, Same-Sex Attraction, Pornography, Purity, Dating, Etc. by Beth Robinson and Latayne C. Scott.
What God Has to Say About Our Bodies: How the Gospel Is Good News for our Physical Selvesby Sam Allberry, Crossway. (Rooted review here.)
Breaking Free From Body Shame: Dare to reclaim What God Has Named Goodby Jess Connolly
Table for Two: Biblical Counsel for Eating Disorders by David and Krista Dunham, New Growth Press. (Rooted review here.)
Winner
A Small Book About Why We Hide: How Jesus Rescues Us From Insecurity, Regret, Failure and Shameby Ed Welch, New Growth Press.
One Final Highlight
Although we did not consider this book for any Rooted Award so as to avoid a conflict of interest, we’d be remiss not to highlight
The Jesus I Wish I Knew In High School
edited by Rooted’s own Charlotte Getz and Cameron Cole. Hear more from some of the book’s authors in this live interview panel.
Additional Resources:
Spurgeon’s Sorrows: Realistic Hope for those who Suffer from Depression, by Zack Eswine (Christian Focus, 2015)
The Imperfect Pastor: Discoering Joy through our Limitations through a Daily Apprenticeship with Jesus, by Zack Eswine (Crossway, 2015)
Zeal Without Burnout: Seven Keys to a Lifelong Ministry of Selfless Sacrifice, by Christopher Ash (Good Book Company, 2016)
Order the book here
Cameron Cole (co-editor and author, Chapter 2, “Performance and Acceptance”) is Rooted’s Chairman, as well as the Director of Children, Youth, and Family at The Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, AL.
Charlotte Getz (co-editor and author, Chapter 7, “Dreams and the Real Story”) currently serves as the Director of Publishing Projects at Rooted.
Sandra McCracken (author, Chapter 8, “Approval and God’s Voice”) is a highly-acclaimed singer-songwriter and hymn writer from Nashville, Tennessee.
Clark Fobes (author, Chapter 30, “Isolation and Liberation”) is an associate pastor of First Baptist Church, San Francisco, CA.
Kevin Yi (author, Chapter 18, “Shame and Holiness”) is Rooted’s Video Producer, as well as the college and young adults pastor at Church Everyday in Northridge, CA.
Davis Lacey (author, Chapter 24, “Secrets and Mercy”) is Rooted’s Podcast Producer, as well as the Lead Planter and Pastor of Autumn Ridge Community Church in Ellijay, GA.
Additional resources:
"What Does Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry Actually Look Like?" (A Conversation with Arek O'Connell): https://www.rootedministry.com/podcast/what-does-gospel-centered-youth-ministry-actually-look-like-a-conversation-with-arek-oconnell/
"Youth Ministry Q&A with Cameron Cole, Sedrick Moore, Rebecca Heck, and Kevin Yi: Rooted 2020 Conference"
https://www.rootedministry.com/podcast/youth-ministry-qa-with-cameron-cole-sedrick-moore-rebecca-heck-and-kevin-yi-rooted-2020-conference/
"Dear Brand New Youth Minister:" https://www.rootedministry.com/blog/dear-brand-new-youth-minister/
Lead Them to Jesus: A Handbook for Youth Workers: https://newgrowthpress.com/lead-them-to-jesus-a-handbook-for-youth-workers/
Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry: A Practical Guide: https://www.crossway.org/books/gospel-centered-youth-ministry-tpb/
The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School, edited by Cameron Cole and Charlotte Getz
Therefore I Have Hope: 12 Truths that Comfort, Sustain and Redeem in Tragedy, by Cameron Cole
Learn more about Creston Thomas and Christ the Redeemer Church here: https://ctrc.church/leadership
Learn more about Autumn Ridge Community Church at www.AutumnRidgeCommunityChurch.com
The Community Bible Reading Journal: https://www.thecbrjournal.com
Learn more about Rooted Reservoir by visiting https://www.rootedreservoir.com/
Learn more about Rooted Regional Groups: https://www.rootedreservoir.com/regionalgroups
The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School: https://www.thejesusiwishiknewinhighschool.com
Also see Harvey's book Rescuing Ambition
The Great Commission Collective: https://gccollective.org/
"Recalibrating Your Ministry Ambition" by Greg Meyer: https://www.rootedministry.com/blog/recalibrating-your-ministry-ambition/
“[If] everyone is either married or lonely, it doesn’t matter how brilliantly you teach the Bible’s sexual ethic. It’s not going to be plausible.”
“Whenever there’s a negative in the Bible, the question is, ‘What’s the bigger positive that negative is protecting?’”
Sam Allberry, Seven Myths About Singleness
www.samallberry.com
Pre-Order The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School
Arek's Rooted Author Page: https://www.rootedministry.com/author/arek-oconnell/
David Choi's 2018 Conference Talk: https://www.rootedministry.com/podcast/rooted-podcast-dave-choi-on-beholding-the-glory-of-god/
Register for Rooted's 2021 Conference: https://www.rooted-conference.com/
Dr. Bryan Chapell joins host Davis Lacey to talk about preaching and teaching the Bible to students in a gospel-centered way. Sharing insights from his book, "Christ-Centered Preaching: Redeeming the Expository Sermon," Dr. Chapell shares ways to engage listeners' short attention spans while preaching Christ from all parts of Scripture. He also gives encouragement to youth ministry practitioners who may feel pressure to teach moralism, or to simply host "pizza parties with a purpose." We hope you'll benefit from this episode of The Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast.
In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Michael Kruger who serves as the President and Samuel C. Patterson Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at the Charlotte campus of Reformed Theological Seminary. He shares from his latest book, "Surviving Religion 101: Letters to a Christian Student on Keeping the Faith in College", which addresses common objections to the Christian faith—the exclusivity of Christianity, Christian intolerance, homosexuality, hell, the problem of evil, science, miracles, and the reliability of the Bible.
As youth workers, we know the challenges that many of our students will face after high school, and so we hope that this conversation will equip you to help your students engage secular challenges with intellectual honesty, compassion, and confidence—and ultimately graduate college with their faith intact.
In this episode, author Brett McCracken shares that newest book, "The Wisdom Pyramid: Feeding Your Soul in a Post-Truth World," was written with his own children in mind. Youth ministers will themselves be encouraged, but will also find answers to some pressing questions such as, "How is our social-media age disproportionately impacting young people?", "How can I help teenagers grow in wisdom?", and, "How can I explain to parents what's really going on as their teen interacts on social media?"
More from Scott Sauls:
A Gentle Answer: Our 'Secret Weapon' in an Agency of Us Against Them
Befriend: Creating Belonging in an Age of Judgement, Isolation and Fear
Jesus Outside the Lines: A Way Forward for Those Who Are Tired of Taking Sides
From Weakness to Strength: 8 Vulnerabilities That Can Bring Out the Best in Your Leadership
Irresistible Faith: Becoming the Kind of Christian the World Can't Resist
More from the Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast:
Youth Ministry Q&A with Cameron Cole, Sedrick Moore, Rebecca Heck, and Kevin Yi: Rooted 2020 Conference
The Youth Ministry Discipleship Opportunity that COVID-19 Has Brought with Cameron Cole and Rebecca Lankford: Rooted 2020 Conference Workshop
Engaging Disability:
Learn more about Engaging Disability by visiting their website!
View resources provided by Engaging Disability here.
More from Cameron
Ministry to Young Women Is Not A "Check Your Brains At The Door" Endeavor
Preparing Christian Children for the Transgender Moment
More from Rebecca
One Biblical Truth To Teach Students in the Aftermath of the Ravi Zacharias Report
Dear Brand New Youth Minister
More from Kevin
What Does It Mean To Be Human? A Biblical Response
Rooted's Most Read: Sustaining Your Youth Ministry in a Global Pandemic
More from Kevin:
What Does It Mean To Be Human? A Biblical Response
Rooted's Most Read: Sustaining Your Youth Ministry in a Global Pandemic
Practical Tips for Doing Digital Ministry (Part 2)
See all of Kevin's contributions to the Rooted blog here!
More from Clark:
Seeking Racial Justice: Going Beyond Social Media Solidarity
Dealing with Loneliness in Quarantine and Social Distancing
Dealing with the Shame of Depression
See all of Clark's contributions to the Rooted blog here!
More from Peter:
Shame-Based Moralism
Christ's Ministry Beyond a Shadow of a Doubt
The Distinct Latent Treasures and Dangers of Asian American Youth Ministry
More from Cameron:
Ministry to Young Women Is Not A "Check Your Brains At The Door" Endeavor
Preparing Christian Children for the Transgender Moment
Youth Ministry Can't Keep Focusing on the Wrong Numbers
Access all of Cameron's Rooted Contributions Here!
More from Rebecca:
What Do Youth Ministers Need From Parents?
Mary's Song: A Call to Magnify Jesus
Teaching Haggai to Students: A Call to Consider
Access all of Rebecca's Rooted Contributions Here!
More from Chelsea:
Rooted's Most Read: Helping Students Redeem the Time During Quarantine
Christmas with Luke: Jesus Comes to Those Who Feel Left Out
Helping Teenagers Integrate the Gospel Into Their Everyday Lives
See the rest of Chelsea's contributions to Rooted here!
More from Kevin Yi:
What Does It Mean to be Human? A Biblical Response
Rooted's Most Read: Sustaining Your Youth Ministry in a Global Pandemic
Practical Tips for Doing Digital Ministry (Part 1)
Practical Tips for Doing Digital Ministry (Part 2)
See the rest of Kevin's contributions to Rooted here!
More from Anna Meade Harris:
Rooted's Most Read: In-Person vs. Online: Starting Back to School in a Pandemic
Rooted's Most Read: Six Truths for Parenting in No Man's Land
The (Good) News for Teenagers: Our Hope is Not In A Vaccine
View More From Anna here.
More from Liz Edrington:
Honoring Jesus Through Caring for Our Bodies
What I Would Say to a Student Struggling With Body Image
Loving Our Students With Depression: The God Who Sees
View More From Liz Here.
Christina Edmondson discusses hope for the weary in her plenary talk from our 2020 Rooted Conference. While walking through text from Matthew 11:28-30, Christina speaks on how we can encourage each other to discuss our burdens without despair and how we can rest in the promises of Jesus Christ while enduring life's challenges.
More podcasts with Julie Sparkman:
Julie Sparkman on Our Good Design for Desire
Julie Sparkman on When a Good Desire Becomes a False God
More podcasts with Watson Jones III:
Death to Living Hope
Pastoring Youth in Church Plants
Learn more about Becket Cook's ministry at www.BecketCook.com.
Learn more about Rachel Gilson's ministry at www.RachelGilson.com.
Podcast: David Zahl on Where Teenagers Find Their Enoughness, If Not at Church
Book: Law and Gospel: A Theology for Sinners
As 2020 draws to a close, the Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast was blessed to spend time with Drs. Mike McGarry and Walt Mueller. These youth ministry practitioner-scholars spent time evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of youth ministry throughout the last 20 years, as well as forecasting what's coming down the pike for the future of youth ministry.
In this episode of The Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast, Syler Thomas draws on more than two decades of youth ministry experience to talk through anything and everything related to gospel-centered small groups. Hear Syler's thoughts on the new book he co-authored, "Small Group Leader's Guide to (Almost) Everything." Then, listen to him give wise and helpful answers to questions such as, "How to I develop small group leaders?", "How to I manage kids who over-share?", "What's the ideal size for a small group?" and more.
Whether debating the efficacy of face-coverings to fight a global pandemic, thinking critically about important political issues, or simply asking the age-old question of, "How far is too far?", the concept of freedom is one that is constantly on the mind of teenagers. In this episode of The Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast, Josh Wester of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) distinguishes between authentic Christian freedom and freedom as defined by the world. Apart from Christ, freedom is defined by asking the question, "How can I please myself?" On the other hand, the Christian defines freedom as the ability to live a life that honors the Lord and loves other people well. In addition to constructing a theology of Christian freedom, Josh delivers down-to-earth advice on how youth workers and parents can help teenagers think through and implement these doctrines at an early age. In light of our cultural moment, we pray that you'll be equipped and encouraged by this timely episode of The Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast.
Don't miss this article which Shelby mentions in the interview: https://shelbyabbott.com/2020/02/26/red-flags-spiritual-deconstruction-old-friends-rhett-link/
In this episode of The Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast, Cameron Cole and Tucker Fleming interview Dr. Andrew Root of Luther Seminary. Dr. Root shares insights from his recent book, "The End of Youth Ministry?". Youth workers will feel both enlightened and liberated as Dr. Root discussed the "shifts" in youth ministry throughout the past century, the importance of the concept of "identity" in youth ministry, and the unique opportunities that we have to minister to students and families in this present age.
Statistics related to the high percentage of teenagers who walk away from the Church shortly after graduating from high school are legion. And yet in the mercy of God, there are many teenagers whose faith took long-term root during the years of middle school and high school. Two such students - Kevin Carlock (recent graduate of Davidson College) and Will Leitner (senior, Auburn University) - share their stories on this episode of the Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast. Current youth ministers and parents will find much encouragement as they hear the "little things" that made a big difference in the faith development of Kevin and Will. And, the insights these young men share will also be helpful for those who are designing (or re-designing) strategies to help teenagers persevere in the faith upon graduating from high school.
Justin's website can be accessed through this link.
Quote: "Never shy away from challenging students to dive deep into theology!"
Resources Justin cited included Gary DeMar and Ligonier Ministries.
Find more youth ministry-related, gospel-centered resources on eschatology (specifically, heaven) by following this link!
In this episode Davis Lacey interviews Kevin Twit, an RUF college pastor at Belmont in Nashville for more than 25 years. They discuss apologetics and the challenges college kids face today particular anxiety and pressure related to performance and social media.
In this very special Father’s Day episode of Ask Alice, Alice Churnock interviews her father, Dr. Langston Haygood, a counselor and pastor who raised three daughters (who, in Alice’s words, are all “amazing!”). Listen in as father and daughter have a candid conversation on the joys and trials of raising daughters. Hear his wisdom on meeting the needs of a daughter at various developmental stages, relating to her in the teen years, and opening the lines of communication.
Dr. Haygood shares all sorts of gospel-rich wisdom for fathers who seek to parent daughters with wisdom and grace. This heartwarming interview is both endearing and informative – be sure to give it a listen to encourage the fathers and daughters in your life!
In this episode of the Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast, Davis talks with Kevin Yi and Clark Fobes about the Asian-American racial experience and where Asians fit into the ongoing race conversations today. Especially in light of the recent events and calls for justice for the black community, they share how Asian-Americans can reconcile their own racial identity as they enter into the broader discussion. More importantly, they discuss how the Gospel compels us towards racial justice and to personal repentance.
Please also see Learning Together: An Asian American Perspective on Racial Justice and Reconciliation.
In this episode, the guys host their first guest, Bryan Brown. Over the last decade, there have been new characters introduced into the comic world that have brought meaningful representation to different ethnicities (Miles Morales, Riri Williams, Kamala Khan, Cindy Moon). Bryan shares why this is so meaningful, especially for the African American community. We also discuss ways that representation affects our youth ministries and leadership in the church. If you’d prefer, watch us on YouTube here.
Have questions or comments or a topic for an upcoming episode? We’d love to get your feedback – email us or @ us on Twitter:
Email: thanostotheos@gmail.comTwitter: @thanostotheos
If you want to respond to any of our hosts, you can reach us on Twitter:
Mike McGarry: @revmcgarry
Clark Fobes: @fobesman
Kevin Yi: @kevinhyi
Bryan Brown: @brownbei4
While visiting Ellijay, GA for a speaking engagement with Autumn Ridge Community Church, author and speaker Becket Cook sat down with Davis Lacey to share this conversation with the Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast. Listen to hear Becket share insights from his book, A Change of Affection: A Gay Man’s Incredible Story of Redemption: his embracing of a gay lifestyle, his radical conversion to Christianity, and his thoughts on how best to shepherd students with respect to issues of human sexuality.
As summer kicks off, many teenagers will experience heightened pressure surrounding body image, leading to disordered eating for some. Thankfully, the gospel provides good news for bodies: They are created by God for good, redeemed by the Incarnation of Jesus, and awaiting a resurrection like his. In this series, Rooted writers discuss how we can help students navigate identity struggles in light of this gospel of grace.
Licensed professional counselor Alice Churnock recorded this podcast episode immediately after National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. In it, she discusses a variety of eating disorders, how males are uniquely impacted by eating disorders, and how the gospel offers good news to those who experience eating disorders.
Please also see Boys, Body Image, and A Better Story.
This podcast is made available to you by the Rooted Ministry for educational purposes only, not to provide specific therapeutic advice. The views expressed are the personal perspectives of the author and do not represent the views of all counselors or the profession. This podcast does not create a counselor-client relationship and should not be used as a substitute for competent therapeutic counsel from a licensed professional in your state.
This week of the Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast, Davis Lacey interviews pastor Scott Sauls about his timely new book, A Gentle Answer: Our Secret Weapon in An Age of Us Against Them. Scott Sauls is a longtime friend of Rooted, a veteran conference speaker and lead pastor of our 2018 host church, Christ Presbyterian in Nashville, Tennessee. In an age of hostility expressed in “unfriending” and “cancelling,” among many other things, Sauls see this contentious climate as an opportunity for Christians to demonstrate the gentleness of Jesus in a harsh world.
Scripture references: Proverbs 15:1, Luke 18:9
Scott Sauls on Rooted:
The Holy Spirit Within: Our Hope for Change (plenary from Rooted 2017)
The Creator’s Plan: Our Hope for the Future (workshop from Rooted 2017)
Scott Sauls on Grace, Teenagers, and Befriend (Rooted podcast 2017)
Creating Belonging in an Age of Isolation, Judgement and Fear (Rooted podcast 2019)
In this episode the guys discuss their favorite character-arcs throughout the MCU movies. Mike and Clark square off about Captain America staying with Peggy. We wrap up by highlighting ways we help students learn from storytelling in comics. Especially in a “you-do-you” culture, there’s a lot of value in discussing how superheros reveal the tension between self-denial and self-fulfillment. And we discover how helpful it is to think about this not just for our students, but for ourselves as youth leaders too.
We would love your feedback, input, or questions for future episodes.
Contact us on Twitter @ThanosToTheos or email us at thanostotheos@gmail.com
If you want to respond to any of our hosts, you can reach us on Twitter:
Mike McGarry: @revmcgarry
Clark Fobes: @fobesman
Kevin Yi: @kevinhyi
In this inaugural podcast, veteran Nashville counselor David Thomas introduces us to himself and his family and shares with us the aim for this exciting new Rooted podcast. Designed to help anyone who loves and works with or lives with boys, All About Boys will explore the mental, physical, psychological and spiritual lives of the young men in our care.
Show notes:
The Five stages of Male Development
- the Explorer
- the Lover
- the Individual
- the Wanderer
- the Warrior
Some of the things David touches on include: activity level, impulse control, rate of development, overstimulation response, learning styles, what a boy needs from parents (among other things, “brain breaks” are a great idea), conversation with boys, appropriate outlets, the complexity of male adolescence, supporting a young adult male- among other things!
Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys by Stephen James and David Thomas
Episode 4 show notes
In this episode, we discuss NT Wright’s article in Time Magazine (Christianity Offers No Answer About Coronavirus) – what was helpful and where the article seemed incomplete. In the midst of the conversation, we reflect on the central roles of hope and suffering in comic storytelling and wrap up by sharing some ways to pastorally help students through grief by pointing them to the cross and empty tomb.
Articles Referenced:
Christianity Offers No Answers About the Coronavirus. It’s Not Supposed to, by NT Wright (Time Magazine)
Stop Looking for the Greater Good, by Chris Talbot (Rooted Ministry)
Have questions or comments or a topic for an upcoming episode? We’d love to get your feedback – email us or @ us on Twitter:
Email: thanostotheos@gmail.com
Twitter: @thanostotheos
If you want to respond to any of our hosts, you can reach us on Twitter:
Mike McGarry: @revmcgarry
Clark Fobes: @fobesman
Kevin Yi: @kevinhyi
This episode of Ask Alice combines Biblical wisdom with practical help for families who are spending A LOT of time together. Alice likens families to ecosystems; when every part is healthy, the whole system thrives. But we live in a fallen world, and that means sibling squabbles and strife are inevitable, starting in Genesis 4.
Alice takes questions from parents, discussing what parents need to know about sibling relationships. She draws on family systems therapy to demonstrate the roles our kids come to play in families (the Hero, the Scapegoat, the Mascot, to name a few), and discusses the impact of birth order as well. She also gives concrete advice about how parents can help their children value and appreciate each other while they are still in the home together.
See also:
Summertime Blues: Sibling Love- or Lack Thereof by Katie Polski
Sanctification By Sibling: Seven Encouragements for the Parent Who Love Them by Anna Meade Harris
A Gospel Vision for Helping Your Students Love Their Siblings by Chelsea Kingston Erickson
This podcast is made available to you by the Rooted Ministry for educational purposes only, not to provide specific therapeutic advice. The views expressed are the personal perspectives of the author and do not represent the views of all counselors or the profession. This podcast does not create a counselor-client relationship and should not be used as a substitute for competent therapeutic counsel from a licensed professional in your state.
In this episode the guys discuss the Joker movie: what did we like, what did we hate, and are there…
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Thanks so to social media, iGen is considered the most connected generation. But relationally, the server is not found. On…
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In this episode of the Rooted Podcast, we hear from our friend David Zahl of Mockingbird. Take it from us,…
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Rooted Ministry is tremendously excited to announce a new ongoing podcast series, “Ask Alice,” featuring your questions addressed by licensed…
In this episode of the Rooted Podcast, hear from our own Davis Lacey (interviewed by Kevin Yi) about his journey from…
In this episode of the Rooted podcast, hear Dave Choi’s workshop – entitled “The Necessity of Prayer” – recorded at…
In this episode of the Rooted Podcast (recorded at our most recent conference in Nashville), enjoy this conversation between Chelsea…
In this episode of the Rooted Podcast, enjoy Rebecca Heck’s excellent workshop from our 2018 conference in Nashville. Depending on…
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Author and Rooted Steering Committee member Kristen Hatton and her daughter Rebecca Hatton sit down for a conversation with our…
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In this beautiful episode of the Rooted Podcast, hear from renowned author and speaker Nancy Guthrie about how to speak with people…
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In this episode of the Rooted Podcast (recorded at our 2017 conference in Dallas), we hear from Sharon Hersh about…
On this episode of the Rooted podcast, hear Mike McGarry and Clark Fobes discuss the various distinctives of your Asian…
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During the “New to Youth Ministry Pre-Conference” at Rooted 2017 in Dallas, Kris Fernhout lays out Rooted’s five pillars of…
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Check out this conversation between Julius Kim (Dean of Students at Westminster Seminary) and Rooted Ministry’s Clark Fobes. Dr. Kim…
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Synopsis: Walk into a room full of teenagers and quite possibly every one of them will be on their phones,…
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Leading worship is a sacred task, and there are ways to engage in this call which, in the words of…
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In this podcast, Jason Cook – editor for The Gospel Coalition and Pastor at Fellowship Memphis – and I discuss…
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At our 2017 conference in Dallas, Texas, Dave Wright delivered this talk focused on Romans 14:5-12 entitled, “Hope Overcoming Despair:…
At our 2017 conference in Dallas, Texas, Jason Cook delivered this talk focused on Jonah 1 entitled, “The Run and…
At our 2017 conference in Dallas, Texas, Julius Kim delivered this talk focused on 2 Kings 4:8-27 entitled, “Gospel Pilgrims:…
At our 2017 conference in Dallas, Texas, Jen Wilkin delivered this talk focused on 1 Peter 1: 3-16 entitled, “Living…
At our 2017 conference in Dallas, Texas, Scott Sauls delivered this talk focused on Romans 8:18-25 entitled, “The Creator’s Plan:…
At our 2017 conference in Dallas, Texas, Scott Sauls delivered this talk focused on Romans 8:1-11 entitled, “The Holy Spirit…
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In this episode of the Rooted Podcast, Cameron Cole, Brandon Bennett, Clark Fobes, and Liz Edrington examine the ways we…
We had the awesome privilege of interviewing Jaquelle Crowe at this year’s TGC Conference in Indianapolis. In this quick conversation,…
There is a dynamic amongst high school Christians (and in many youth ministries) where what it means to be…
The Tree: A Model for Understanding Sexual Struggles Where does our sexuality come from, and how can we understand our…
Growing as a Speaker How do we improve our communication of the gospel and the truths of God’s word? Effective…
Sexualized: Integrating Gospel Sexuality into Student Ministry This workshop helps listeners to communicate and implement a gospel vision for sexuality…
The Tree: A Model for Understanding Sexual Struggles, Dan Wilson and Cooper Pinson Where does our sexuality come from, and…
Ain’t That a Shame: Understanding How Shame Affects Asian American Youth The pressures of youth today are enormous, especially if…
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Here is the last (but certainly not least) plenary talk from our 2016 conference in San Diego. Clark Fobes asked…
Don’t build your ministry on fun and games, but don’t be afraid to utilize them in order to build a…
This workshop focuses on four categories of blindspots and how they impede racial reconciliation. James Sutton – pastor at Holy…
More Iranians have become Christians in the past two decades than the previous 1,300 years combined. This workshop looks at…
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Driven by our selfie culture, today’s teens spend countless hours consumed with their image and insecure about how they compare…
Liz Edrington’s noted in this remarkable talk at our 2016 conference in San Diego that the way we relate to…
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We continue our release of podcast recordings from our 2016 conference in San Diego with Michael Horton’s second plenary session…
Jessica Thompson, a Christian writer and parent of three, gave an excellent talk at this year’s Rooted conference. She offered…
Over the next few weeks, we are thrilled to finally be releasing podcast recordings of the plenary talks from our…
In this episode of the Rooted Podcast, Cameron Cole (Founder and Chairman of Rooted Ministry) and Kristen Hatton (author of…
“You [youth ministers] are unique warriors, unique soldiers, you’re like special ops who no one really knows about, who never…
In this extraordinary episode of the Rooted Podcast, listen to Cameron Cole and Dave Wright interview one of our great…
In this episode of the Rooted Podcast, Cameron Cole interviews Mark Gignilliat about preparing students for their college religion class…
Dave Wright, Coordinator for Youth Ministries in the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina, spoke at the 2015 Rooted Conference about…
From our Editor-in-Chief, Charlotte Getz: This was a really hard conversation. All five of us are white. We struggled to…
We’re thrilled to share Peter Ong’s humorous yet poignant talk from the 2015 Rooted Conference in Chicago. In his plenary…
Philip Walkley, Executive Director of Service Over Self (SOS) in Memphis, gave an excellent workshop at the 2015 Rooted Conference…
It’s summer, which means many churches are preparing to send their youth on a mission trip. In this podcast, Cameron…
As any student minister knows, burnout is a real but invisible threat always looming on the horizon. Starting out, we…
With summer quickly approaching, Rooted invited our four sages of youth ministry – Andy Cornett, Sarah Seibels, Dave Wright, and…
In his workshop at the 2015 Rooted Conference, Dan Wilson talked about “the elephant” in the room: sexual struggle. He…
In conjunction with our series currently running on the blog (“Partnering with Parents”), Rooted invited four sage student ministry practitioners…
In this episode of the Rooted Ministry Podcast, Jay Gardner and Cameron Cole define the idea of ‘worship,’ and delve…
In conjunction with our series currently running on the blog (“Five Apologetics Every Student Needs”), Rooted invited four sage student…
Scotty Smith offered this powerful opening talk at the 2015 Rooted Conference about the measureless grace of the incarnation. Scotty…
The Rooted Podcast Team sits down with Dr. Wesley Hill, author of Washed and Waiting: Reflections on Christian Faithfulness and…
David Plant, Assistant Pastor and Community Group Director at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in NYC, taught on the value of friendship…
Dr. Wesley Hill, author of Washed and Waiting: Reflections on Christian Faithfulness and Homosexuality, joins this conversation with the Rooted Podcast…
At the 2015 Rooted Conference Elisabeth Elliott presented a workshop about international mission trips with youth groups.
Eric McKiddie presented a workshop about the power of the Bible’s details at the 2015 Rooted Conference.
Scotty Smith offered this second powerful talk at the 2015 Rooted Conference about the community of grace from Philippians. Scotty…
At the 2015 Rooted Conference Peter Ong led a workshop about the some of the issues Asian American youth minister…
At the 2015 Rooted Conference Mary Willson, associate director of women’s initiatives for The Gospel Coalition, gave a talk entitled…
Dr. Mark Senter opened the 2015 Rooted Conference with at talk entitled, “Youth Ministry: Rooted in the Gospel.” Mark recently…
At the 2015 Rooted Conference Cameron Cole, founding chairman of Rooted Ministry and Director of Youth Ministries at the Cathedral…
In her workshop at the 2015 Rooted Conference, Liz Edrington, counselor and former youth minister, talked about the trinity, attachment…
In his workshop at the 2015 Rooted Conference, Mike McGarry talked about partnering with parents to build a bridge between…
2013 Rooted Conference audio from Bijan Mirtolooi on living in God’s story and the practical impact of redemptive history for…