Thought Factory Podcast: Recent Episodes
Never The Same
Thought Factory is dedicated to learn from students and learn for students to better our ministry practice with students. It's about getting our gears turning to think about various topics.
In this episode, Geoff and Jayson discuss the podcast's future as things have begun to change at Never The Same.
In the previous episode, we discussed the causes of the decline in Youth Ministry. In this episode, we discuss the five solutions to those causes with our returning guest, Charlie Alcock, a professor at Indiana Wesleyan University. If you have not checked out the last episode, do so before listening to this one.
Several things within the Church are causing a decline in the Youth Ministry department. But, if the Church ignores the things going on under the surface, it could take out the entire Church in the future. In this episode, Geoff and Jayson are joined by a special guest, Charlie Alcock, a professor at Indiana Wesleyan University, to discuss the causes. They identify seven causes of why they think this is happening, that range from financial to church planting to outdated methodologies. This is a two-part series, so check out the second episode (#1212) after this one to hear the solutions.
Sadly, the Church has hurt more people than anyone would like to admit. But, that is because it is made up of people. Many people have experienced some form of hurt that was associated with someone in the church or associated with the Christian faith. This may have caused them to walk away from the Christian faith or be skeptical of leadership and the institution of the Church. Geoff and Jayson have a practical conversation surrounding what they call "church hurt" with a Campus/Teaching Pastor at Willow Creek Community Church, Miguel DeLaMora.
There are many layers to the topic of sexuality. It ranges from what we view and keeping our thoughts pure to heterosexual attraction and desire to same-sex attraction and identity, from basic concepts of biological sex to the current cultural conversation of the fluidity of gender. How do we have conversations with our students about sexuality? When and how do we broach this topic, and how deeply do we discuss this before it gets weird and awkward? One thing the Church cannot do is stick its head in the sand and hope these things will pass or settle themselves. The Church must be willing to discuss such things. In today's episode, Geoff and Jayson invite Clare DeGraaf, who is an author, teacher, and spiritual mentor, to the show to have the deeper conversations that the Church should be having in regard to sexuality.
Resource links from the episode:
Claredegraaf.com
centerforfaith.com
An Introduction to the LGBTQ Conversation
One of the areas of society that was affected the hardest during the pandemic was schools, teachers, and students. The level of change they had to navigate was high just to keep things functioning. Now, as many things are "back to normal," what effect has the pandemic had on the entire system and the most vulnerable, the students? In today's episode, Geoff and Jayson discuss the changes inside schools post-pandemic with a public school teacher, Jeff Henderson.
Are young people leaving the church in droves? Are we losing the next generation when they graduate from our Youth Ministry because it's only about having fun and eating pizza? What we have believed for so many decades about the high dropout rate of students from the Church and about them leaving the Christian faith altogether after they graduate is false. Yes, false. It is significantly better than we have thought for so long. In today's episode, Geoff and Jayson have a conversation with Liberty University professor Derik Idol, who has done extensive research on this topic and his findings are eye-opening.
Derik's research, An Assessment of Dropout Rates of Former Student Ministry Participants, can be found here: https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/3428/
For those who have been in Youth Ministry before Covid, we know things have changed since the pandemic. We live in a different world now. Youth Ministry is different. Being Youth Pastors before stepping into the non-profit world, Jayson Brewer and Kyle Wood recently reentered the local church Youth Ministry together after being away for many years. In this episode, they recount some of the things they were very surprised by and discuss some differences between a pre-Covid to a post-Covid world in Youth Ministry.
There is an overload of messages coming to students about who they should be, what they should think and believe, and what they should value in this world. The majority of those messages go against the truth found in the Bible. When we have competing worldviews, how do we get students to decipher the true messages of God? In today's episode, Geoff and Jayson, along with guest host Becca Ebenhoch, discuss what students believe about the Bible and how that impacts our ministries with students.
neverthesame.org soulexercises.com
For Thought Factory Podcast listeners, use promo code THOUGHTFACTORY10 to receive 10% off your Soul Exercises purchase.
What do students know about sex? Probably more than we care to believe or admit. The topic of sexuality is no longer just an adult topic but is influencing students of all ages. Want to know what students think about the number of genders? In today’s episode, we hear from students directly about what they believe regarding sexuality and share thoughts about where the Church can step up.
Resource mentioned in this episode:
The Center for Faith, Sexuality & Gender https://www.centerforfaith.com/
If a student claims to be a Christian, should the Christian faith be important to them? What about the church or youth group? Has church become irrelevant in their life? Who has the most influence in an adolescent’s life? These are the questions Geoff, Jayson, and special guest host, Becca Ebenhoch, will be discussing to unpack the responses from students on the topics of faith and church.
Becca's email: becca@neverthesame.org
School board meetings have gotten more press these days. Parents appear to be more engaged in what is being taught and what is happening in the schools of their children. We know what adults are saying, but the voice that has gotten lost in the conversation has been students. In this episode, hosts Geoff and Jayson discuss data from students' responses regarding their school atmosphere. We hear from the students themselves what they think and feel about school.
Would you like to know what students think about Covid, the fear it has exposed, its impact on their life, and the impact on their view of the world? In today's episode, hosts Geoff Eckart and Jayson Brewer are not going to guess what they think but hear directly from students themselves through the extensive research done this past summer. What you will hear in this episode will change your understanding and give valuable insight into this generation on the topic of Covid and fear.
Part 6/6 This episode concludes the mini-series on the six foundational questions students must answer. All the previous questions culminate to this point, so if you have not listened to the previous five episodes, we encourage you to go and do so. In this episode, Michelle Rewa discusses the topic of homosexuality and transgender as it relates to our relationship with God and how He is calling us to live. Regardless of how you approach this topic, it is a sensitive one and emotions rise. Just ask yourself, just because I feel it, does it make it true? Does the Bible say it is wrong?
*Audio previously recorded at NTS Camp on July 15, 2021.
Part 5/6 This is a major question that many people, including students, are asking as they see the world around them. This is also the biggest obstacle for people as they evaluate faith. This moves the foundational questions beyond truth and Jesus, into discussing the existence and problem of evil. Michelle Rewa helps us understand that God is still good but there is a reason for the evil in the world. If God is good and cares about us, then why are there so many people suffering?
Link to the video referenced: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-suvkwNYSQo
*Audio previously recorded at NTS Camp on July 15, 2021.
Part 4/6 This episode continues to conversation on the topic of Jesus. Last episode we asked the question, "What do I believe about Jesus?" If you have come to the conclusion that He existed and He was crucified, Michelle Rewa unpacks the evidence of His death and resurrection. Is it really a big deal if we claim to be Christian and doubt the resurrection truly happened?
Link to the article referenced (must create a free account to fully view): https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/403315
*Audio previously recorded at NTS Camp on July 14, 2021.
Part 3/6 This episode continues the foundational questions that students must answer, building off questions about God, the beginning of time, and the truth of the Bible. In this episode, Michelle Rewa discusses who Jesus is and why we can approach His existence with logic, reason, and evidence, which ultimately allows us to believe who He says He is. Was Jesus either Liar, Lunatic, or Lord?
Link to referenced video: (Start at 1:22) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXfeUqk4IeU
*Audio previously recorded at NTS Camp on July 14, 2021.
Part 2/6 This episode builds off the last episode's foundational question of "Does Science Disprove God?" How do we know the Bible is true? In this episode, Michelle Rewa explores the evidence and reliability of the Bible for truth. Critics will point out the flaws and contradictions of the Bible, but do those flaws make it false?
Link to referenced video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DB18or8bJ10
*Audio previously recorded at NTS Camp on July 13, 2021.
Part 1/6 This is the first foundational question that Michelle Rewa asks students to answer. This question relates to the beginning of the universe, creation versus the Big Bang. These two topics are at the core of faith and science. People act like faith and science are polar opposites and cannot be brought together. Michelle approaches this topic with logic, as it takes faith to believe, no matter what side we land on. So, do we have a good reason for our personal beliefs?
Link to referenced video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE76nwimuT0
*Audio previously recorded at NTS Camp on July 13, 2021.
www.neverthesame.org
The Thought Factory is back for its 11th Season and will include a 6-week mini-series in partnership with Michelle Rewa, a guest speaker at NTS Camp 2021. Michelle explored the topics of faith and reason, approaching the Christian faith based on reason and evidence. She delivered a series of six foundational questions students must answer for themselves to strengthen their faith.
Also in this episode, Geoff shares some thoughts, impressions, and predictions for 2022 that appear to parallel the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 17-18 as we continue to be impacted by shutdowns and disruptions due to the Coronavirus.
Listen to hear the one big prediction on how much longer this Covid disruption will last into the future and what we can do during this time as God’s people.
Is there evidence for a Creator? Where does my truth come from? What do I believe about Jesus? Can I doubt the resurrection and still be a Christian? If God is so good then why is my world so bad? Am I committed to Godly sexuality? In this two-part episode, Michelle Rewa, with a background in apologetics and a degree in science, explores the 6 foundational questions where faith and reason intersect. This episode gets us thinking about the last three questions and why it is important to engage with these topics ourselves.
Original Air Date: May 2, 2017
Is there evidence for a Creator? Where does my truth come from? What do I believe about Jesus? Can I doubt the resurrection and still be a Christian? If God is so good then why is my world so bad? Am I committed to Godly sexuality? In this two-part episode, Michelle Rewa, with a background in apologetics and a degree in science, explores the 6 foundational questions where faith and reason connect. This episode gets us thinking about the first three questions and why it is important to be asking our students in the first place.
Original Air Date: April 28, 2017
Why do good students fall prey to pornography? How do you feel when you receive 100 likes on Instagram? Why are students...ok, the majority of users seem addicted to their smartphone? In this episode, we discuss how porn, tech, and social media companies are preying on the neurological development of students' brains to hold our attention longer and to get us addicted. We are simply their guinea pigs. Hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer interview Chris McKenna of protectyoungeyes.com on ways we, as youth leaders and parents, need to be aware of what is happening in our students' brains when we put digital devices in their hands at a young age, as well as, the potential downfalls that are simply one click away.
Original Air Date: April 21, 2017
Students are one click away from being surrounded by danger that could possibly ruin their lives, and in this digital age, when smartphones are more prevalent in the hands of students, are we aware of the dangers? Today, hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer discuss life online and these dangers with the founder of Protect Young Eyes, Chris McKenna. We will talk about the five most dangerous places for students to be when they go online and some ways to protect them in these environments.
Original Air Date: February 5, 2019
Nick is a 7th grader who was born in South Africa. He moved to the United States when he was 7 years old. He provides a unique and, at times, a profound perspective on the topic of race in America, coming from a different culture. Just like any adolescent, he is trying to figure out where he fits in, both racially and ethnically. Racism is not an adult issue but can be experienced regardless of age. Are we willing to take the time to listen to students to hear their perspectives on tough topics like this?
Original Air Date: March 19, 2019
Depression and anxiety are gripping adolescents and there is no easy pill to swallow to eradicate this from their lives. Someone cannot just simply “cheer up” or “snap out of it” to solve the problem. Twenty percent of youth between 13-18 live with a mental health condition and that number seems to continue to grow each year. Jackie Sheppard, who has over 50 years of study and research in this area of science and medicine, discusses the connection between the gut and the brain. Issues start in the gut, which affects the brain, and the body affects the mind, will, and emotion of a person. Could the solution to overcoming mental illness be more than just taking medication? Could it be found in replacing the things we've deprived of our bodies?
Original Air Date: April 30, 2019
A change in circumstances and stress can trigger episodes of anxiety or depression in students, and with the changes in school and church dynamics due to the pandemic, how have students been emotionally and mentally affected? In this episode, Jayson interviews Elizza LeJeune, a clinical social worker at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services. We discuss a variety of aspects of mental health in students, signs we should look out for, and when is the right time to step in if a student is struggling with suicidal thoughts.
For those who have been around youth ministry for a couple of decades, we have seen plenty of change. Changes that occurred in that time period appears to have accelerated in the year 2020. What do you think youth ministry will be like in 10 years? In this episode, Jeff makes ten bold predictions on where he thinks youth ministry is going to be by the year 2030. He also gives five pieces of advice to youth ministry leaders, to help lead us into the future of youth ministry. Jayson takes no responsibility in these predictions. This is part two of a two-part series.
The landscape of youth ministry changes as each decade passes. The student life is different now than it was 20 years ago. The church youth group was executing different methods to spread the gospel as it was 10 years ago. Who could have even predicted what culture and the church would have been like in the year 2020? Well, someone got pretty close and we will discuss those predictions. In this episode, Jeff and Jayson look at culture and youth ministry in 10 year blocks, and will look ahead to what it may look like 10 to 30 years from now. This is part one of a two-part series.
January 6th, 2021, the United States of America changed. In response to the Capitol Riot, hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer ask eight questions about politics mixing with our faith. These questions are directed at those who lead students, but all stem from the main question, is politics ruining our witness? One thing that has been witnessed over centuries of time, the zeal for God begins to diminish as our passion for politics grows.
If you were to evaluate the youth ministry you are a part of and how the Bible is used, would you view it as student-centric or Christo-centric? Do we start with where the students are at and teach from there or start with God? Hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer discuss the transformational power in integrating this one habit into youth ministry. We must stop teaching and reading the Bible as a self-help book and start helping our students understand it as a autobiography of God.
We may know someone who became negative, jaded, cynical, and critical in ministry and eventually dropped out. You may even be on the verge of becoming that person. How do we avoid burnout in ministry and last the long-haul, through all the challenges? The main question comes down to answering this question, "Who are you serving?" How you answer that question will determine the strength and length of your time in ministry.
Great coaches can motivate their players to higher heights. They possess a cultural trait that gets the most out of them doing this one thing. In this episode, Jeff and Jayson discuss what it takes to get students to grow spiritually in your youth ministry.
A chauffeur is a person employed to drive a private or rented automobile. Driving instructors help their driving students in practically learning how to drive a car individually. One has the customer in the back and the other has the customer in the driver's seat. If you were to evaluate your youth ministry, would you be more considered as a chauffeur or a driving instructor, based on how involved and engaged your students were? In this episode, hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer discuss the cultural difference between student-led youth ministries and adult-driven youth ministries.
Culture is the beliefs and behaviors of a community. Leaders have the ability to create culture in their environment, but they also have the ability to surrender to the surrounding culture. So, how does a leader build a winning culture? What is the one thing that a leader needs to create the culture that is desirable for others to be a part of?
The school campus has changed due to the pandemic. From that first day in March when schools shut down and students were sent home to now, the new school year looks different. To any parent who set their sails to navigate these new waters, it may have seemed chaotic and choppy. The waters were uncharted - different options for your student, virtual vs hybrid vs full-time in person. There were also the possible "psychological effects" that wearing a mask all day could have, the social distancing in small classrooms, the protocols for students testing positive. As adults, we just wondered how our students would handle this. In this episode, we hear from students about the changes on their school campus and their perspective on the decisions that had to be made.
We are in an election year, and America gets to choose their president as we close out the chaotic year of 2020. Since we know and understand that you are sick of the political messages coming your way, let this episode separate itself from all of that noise, as we talk and listen to students on what they perceive in the political climate and what we can learn from their opinions.
The year 2020 has been an unforgettable year. No doubt we all have been affected to varying degrees, but it has been a shared experience no matter where you live. In this episode, we talk to pastors, youth pastors, and students from various parts of the America to discuss how the coronavirus pandemic has had an effect on their lives, their ministries, and their emotions.
Originally aired on October 20th, 2016
If we aren't doing this one thing in our youth ministry settings, then what are we doing? We can spend an enormous amount of time in our week preparing for things that do not have a lasting impact on students or allowing their faith to develop in meaningful ways. Students say the Bible is important, but are they actually reading and engaging it throughout the week to make a difference in their faith? Are we missing this #1 thing as we work with students?
The Potawatomi Trail of Death was the forced removal by militia in 1838 of some 859 members of Potawatomi nation from Indiana to reservation lands in what is now Kansas. In this episode, host Jeff Eckart shares his 3-week journey of prayer walking the Potawatomi Trail of Death. Going beyond the physical, emotional, and spiritual toll it took on him, he dives into why he felt led to do this walk, what he learned along the way, and the divine outcomes that have resulted since.
It would be an understatement to say that our world has been through a lot in the last nine-plus months of the year, maybe beyond what was expected when Covid-19 first invaded our lives. The severity of the impact is measured on a person by person basis, as it has affected all of us in a variety of different ways. In this episode, Host Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer discuss the impact the coronavirus has had on the organization of Never The Same, on our faith in God and humanity, and the by-products of the pandemic that has already affected youth ministry.
As weeks roll into months of this current crisis we find ourselves in, you may be evaluating and re-evaluating what you have been doing in your ministry to students. This time has caused all of us to slow down in some way or another and there may be questions you are asking yourself. What have you found to be unnecessary? What do we need to let go or repent of that we have been doing? But, what's the big question that this crisis is forcing all of us to answer? What are you calling your students to when the normal program is disrupted? In this episode, Jeff and Jayson discuss the big question we should be answering when it comes to our ministries as well as the wrong questions we may be asking instead. Are we offering a product to be consumed, or are we creating an environment for students to meet with God?
How do you make decisions in a time of crisis, especially when you do not know when the crisis is going to end? How do you approach each daily decision when tomorrow's forecast is so uncertain? What approach should we have toward the long-term when the short-term will likely change? In this episode, Jeff and Jayson discuss three concepts in an article found in the Praxis Journal, "Leading Beyond the Blizzard" - talking about making decisions in a blizzard, a winter, and a little ice age. When a crisis occurs and it appears that it will last longer than anticipated, how do we operate our ministry, church, non-profit, or business when things appear to not be going back to normal?
Rean more at: https://journal.praxislabs.org/leading-beyond-the-blizzard-why-every-organization-is-now-a-startup-b7f32fb278ff
As we shift into the groove of being removed from our normal routines of ministry, we have established what our ministry will look like digitally for the extent of this pandemic as we socially distance ourselves. What is the number one thing we should be focused on? This crisis has caused us to think creatively and execute plans in innovative ways, but are we providing what our students actually need or are we simply filling time until we can physically gather again? Have we stopped to listen to God's direction in all of this?
We are navigating through the new normal with the coronavirus pandemic affecting all areas of society throughout the world. Churches and youth ministries have not been immune as we try to scramble to provide digital content for our students and communities. But, what will our digital destiny be like as the landscape of the church changes and students' expectations shift? Will we have a compelling enough reason to gather again or will this new normal of the digital world become permanent for many youth ministries?
We are in the middle of a crisis with the Coronavirus pandemic spreading across the world. As ministry leaders speaking into the next generation, it is our responsibility during these moments to be ready for what is about to take place in the coming months and years, not only in our country, but also in our churches. This 4-part series will be released starting the week of April 13, 2020, with two episodes per week.
Jesus' disciples got to witness Jesus ascend into the skies and into Heaven. Jesus claimed He would return again one day. The disciples believed this to be true and anticipated Jesus' returning very soon. This return was what motivated them to spread the gospel to all nations. Fast forward 2000 years and the Church is still waiting for Christ to return to Earth, but do we approach each day with the same eagerness and anticipation as the disciples had? In today's episode, Jeff and Jayson are joined with Dave Butts, Chairman of the National Prayer Committee, who is also on the board of the National Day of Prayer. Dave discusses the importance of keeping the perspective of Christ's near return centered in the Gospel message and how it is vital in our Christian walk.
If you were to take a minute to think of the greatest issue in the Church, what would come to mind for you? Hypocrisy, greed, division, sexual immorality, biblical illiteracy...? We all have our thoughts and opinions of what major issues face the Church today. But there may be an even deeper issue that no one is thinking of nor talking about. This issue is holding the Church back from its full potential. In today's episode, Jeff and Jayson are joined with Dave Butts, Chairman of the National Prayer Committee, who is also on the National Day of Prayer Board. He discusses what he thinks is the greatest issue in the Church today. And no, it is not the lack of prayer.
*Episode Originally Recorded on 1.17.2020 (before the outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States)
The school campus is a focal point in society and is present in any community. Students occupy a school building over 6,000 hours of their life between 6th and 12th grade. If they attend our youth ministry, they occupy our church buildings around 300 hours in that same span of time. And that number is declining. Today's discussion is centered around the school campus as we ask the question, “Where are the students in our churches?” So what do we do about it? Go where the students are. Jeff and Jayson discuss six ways to engage the school campus.
Several years ago a question emerged amongst the youth ministry community that we’ve been debating ever since. ”Why are so many students leaving the church after they graduate high school?” For those involved in local and national youth ministry know that’s an old question. Now the question has morphed to be, “Where are the students in our churches?” Are we in a crisis with the next generation disappearing from our faith communities and congregations? Some would say yes. Today, Jeff and Jayson discuss a growing trend in how we can reach the next generation.
Common Core is a set of standards that the educational system uses for teaching and testing English and mathematics between kindergarten and 12th grade. This is what teachers not only teach, but what they want students to know by the time they graduate. If youth ministries had a "common core" of behaviors that we would want our students to have when they graduate from our ministry, what would they be? What is that standard that we should set or aim for based on the Christian faith? In this episode, Jeff and Jayson created their own list of 10 behaviors they think an ideal student, hypothetically, should have after they leave the influence of our ministry.
Students have a lot of say in cultural trends. What they decide to participate in, listen to, watch, wear, or what they choose to do, tend to become a popular aspect of culture. When students are faced with decisions regarding how they dress, what they listen to or watch, and how they use social media, does their faith influence their behaviors? How much is faith a factor in the decisions that students make regarding their friendships and romantic relationships? In this episode, the discussion is centered around whether or not students are making behavioral decisions based on the values of their Christian faith.
Sharing our faith can be challenging, regardless of age. How do you naturally turn any conversation toward talking about God or following Jesus? Has it become too taboo to be so focused on evangelism as a youth ministry? What is more important, simply be a good example of the gospel or share the good news verbally? When it comes to evangelism or sharing our faith, is it necessary to use words or can we avoid them altogether? In today's episode, Jeff and Jayson discuss the current state of evangelism and how we may be doing it all wrong. They are joined with Dare 2 Share's President Debbie Bresina to discuss this topic further.
We know the Kansas City Chiefs not only made it to the Super Bowl, but won the championship game. Patrick Mahomes can now fulfill a dream of going to Disney World after winning it all. But, before even getting to that point, they found themselves down 24-0 to the Houston Texans in the game before. At that moment, Mahomes did something to change things around and exhibited a lesson we can learn from when it comes to evangelism and sharing our faith.
There are many reasons why people don't share their faith, whether it is fear, don't know how, or thinking their life is not perfect. Hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer discuss the one thing that needs to be present to be effective when it comes to sharing our faith, as well as, looking at whether students think it is offensive to share their faith with people of other religions.
Revival broke out on the campus of Asbury College on February 3rd, 1970, which went for 185 hours, it spread to other schools, and revival broke out in other areas across the nation. It has been 50 years since that day and we speak to one former student who was the epicenter of that movement. Jeannine Carol Brabon committed herself to pray and was pleading to God for 3 years to bring revival on her college campus. She sensed it was going to happen. Then God did just that, He showed up. Jeannine shares her story of what was happening years before and what can happen when we decide to seek to be in a right relationship with God.
"Screen time" has become another thing we measure. We are all spending time on our dopamine-inducing devices, but how much is too much? We receive the notification, compare our numbers from week to week, and then wonder how we've wasted so much time looking at our phones. In this episode, we discuss whether or not managing screen time is worth the fight with a child, what daily dosage is considered a healthy amount for an adolescent, and what students are spending their screen time on while at school. We've read the data, we've heard the reports, and listened to the experts, is there a case for banning internet-ready devices from the classroom and from the bedroom? Founder of Protect Young Eyes, Chris McKenna, joins the show to provide insight in the ever changing landscape of the online world.
When society shifted from analog to digital, we were soon introduced to the internet, which allowed our society connect with almost every other one in the world. Eventually, that birthed the iPhone and every other smart device that followed. As technology advances at a rapid pace, the laws that regulate them have not kept up the pace. An iPhone in the hands of a child or an adolescent gives them access to anyone in the world, which can cause safety concerns. An iPhone in the hands of a young driver can cause significant harm. What do we do about it?
Hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer speak with Senator John Rodgers from Vermont about his bill proposal to ban cellphones from anyone under the age of 21, as well as, Chris McKenna from protectyoungeyes.com about their legislation to help regulate the ratings process in the App Stores.
There are three primary reasons why students don't read the Bible. They either don't have time, they don't know where to start, or they don't know how it applies to their life. In this episode, we continue the discussion on the topic of the Bible with Lindsey Gorveatte, Director of Soul Exercises. The discussion centers around what the number one reason is why students don't read the Bible. Where is the trend going for the use of the Bible in our youth ministries? What can we do as a solution to the challenges we face with students not reading the Bible?
Special guest Lindsey Gorveatte, Director of Bible Engagement, joins the Thought Factory Podcast to discuss what she sees in the landscape of youth ministry in regards to students' interest of the Bible. We hear from students directly what they say about the Bible and how we could steer our ministries to utilize it more in our weekly programming. Do we think students are reading the Bible because the adults in their life are telling them to or because of a more significant reason?
When it comes to passing down our faith from one generation to the next, how do we go about doing that? Are students committed to the church as much as the previous generation? Does church commitment mean a faith commitment in a student’s life? Today, hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer discuss the importance of connecting students to church and the youth group and how that can impact their faith later on in life. How do we connect them now to church and faith and how do we connect them after they graduate?
Will this generation and the next be committed to attend church beyond just their youth group? Hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer discuss students' commitment to the overall Church and their commitment to their youth group. They look at both the student perspective and the adult perspective when it comes to church commitment in a student's life. This episode dives into the numbers from the research Never The Same does about adolescence in the Church.
In a society that is so focused on accomplishing tasks, being productive, and is involved with several activities, it can be difficult to cease all these things to rest and relax one day a week, let alone teach this discipline to our students. Stress and anxiety is also prevalent in our culture. Is there a direct link between the increase in anxiety and the lack of Sabbath? What does observing a Sabbath look like in a modern real life? Hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer continue the discussion on Sabbath, as well as, look at what students had to say about the practice of Sabbath in their homes and in their churches.
The Ten Commandments are set apart among all the laws of the Bible. Do not murder, do not steal or commit adultery, all these commands are pretty clear. Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy, that one is optional, correct? When it comes to God’s main commands for his people, have we lost the significance and importance of the Sabbath? Do we approach this command as if God doesn’t mind us not following it or it's only for those extra spiritual people? Maybe this is God’s prescription to stress and anxiety that we experience in our daily life. Hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer explore the history of Sabbath and the difference between work and rest.
Mental health is a very complex issue that is impacting the lives of adolescents. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 1 in 5 youth has anxiety and 1 in 10 has depression. Many of those who are invested in the lives of students may feel under-equipped to serve and help those struggling with anxiety. In this episode, Jeff and Jayson discuss this epidemic and how we can best respond to those who struggle with it.
Students are under a lot of pressure. The pressures of getting the top grades, the pressure to compete and succeed in sports, the pressure to fit in and be liked, the pressure of flawlessly managing a digital persona, the pressure of others’ expectations, the pressure to always make the right decision. It feels like students must be perfect in all areas of their life, but who's putting that pressure on them? All this pressure is stressful. In today's episode, hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer discuss the stress adolescents experience and how adults can help them handle many of the stressors of today.
We are looking back to people, places and things that have shaped the modern American youth ministry movement. Our special co-host was an eyewitness to all of these things. His name is Allen Weed, the founder and director of Interlinc. Allen continues to be a behind-the-scenes mover and shaker in the national scene of youth ministry as well as in music and media influencers. Today Jeff talks with Allen about the most influential events in youth ministry historically.
We are looking back to people, places and things that have shaped the modern American youth ministry movement. Our special co-host was an eyewitness to all of these things. His name is Allen Weed, the founder and director of Interlinc. Allen continues to be a behind-the-scenes mover and shaker in the national scene of youth ministry as well as in music and media influencers. Today Jeff talks with Allen about the most influential movements in youth ministry historically.
We are looking back to people, places and things that have shaped the modern American youth ministry movement. Our special co-host was an eyewitness to all of these things. His name is Allen Weed, the founder and director of Interlinc. Allen continues to be a behind-the-scenes mover and shaker in the national scene of youth ministry as well as in music and media influencers. Today Jeff talks with Allen about the most influential people in youth ministry historically.
In the first episode of season seven, host Jeff Eckart and guest host Phil Joel examine two critical moments that mobilized movements in history. We compare Woodstock: the music festival that took the world by storm and the Asbury Revival, a much lesser known event that was key in starting the Jesus movement. What are some key aspects of these two events that were significant enough to start movements and change the world?
We continue our discussion on mental health, looking at some of the causes of increased student depression and anxiety - stemming from constantly comparing themselves to others online. Since the advent of social media and in the age of likes, followers, comments, and digital connections, the mental health of a student has been impacted significantly. Imagine being an adolescent and never feeling good enough because someone else is always going to appear better than them? Hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer speak to Clinton Faupel from Remedy Live, an online suicide prevention and crisis chat resource for students. They also speak with Phil Joel of Zealand Worship and Newsboys United about his new book, Redwoods and Whales: Becoming Who You Actually Are.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Depression and anxiety are gripping adolescents and there is no easy pill to swallow to eradicate this from their lives. Someone cannot just simply “cheer up” or “snap out of it” to solve the problem. Twenty percent of youth between 13-18 live with a mental health condition and that number seems to continue to grow each year. Jackie Sheppard, who has over 50 years of study and research in this area of science and medicine, discusses the connection between the gut and the brain. Issues start in the gut, which affects the brain, and the body affects the mind, will, and emotion of a person. Could the solution to overcoming mental illness be more than just taking medication? Could it be found in replacing the things we've deprived from our bodies?
Dr. Michael Wolff is a co-owner of Brains, an organization that is about maximizing the potential of families through understanding the complex relationship between the brain, the body, and real life. He is a Neuropsychologist and Diplomate, and a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Neuropsychology. Since the advent of the iPhone in 2007, middle school students are the first generation that has never known a world without the device. How does the smartphone affect the development of an adolescent brain and how can we prevent students from becoming addicted to screens?
Julie Morgenstern is an organizing and productivity consultant, New York Times best-selling author, and speaker. For over 30 years, Julie has been teaching people all around the world and at all stages of life how to overcome disorganization to achieve their goals. Her mission is to free each individual to make their unique contribution to the world—by helping them design their own systems for managing time and space that feel natural and are easy to maintain. Today, students are busier than ever. They’re overwhelmed, and it’s affecting them in more ways than one. What if there was a way to experience breakthrough in how they manage their schedules so that they’re not filled with anxiety?
Today's guest is Jack Easterby, former New England Patriots' Character Coach (now with Houston Texans), who is widely praised within the team and a part of the last three Super Bowl winners. He discusses the significance of sports in a student's life and encourages us to recognize what the most important thing is. As leaders and parents, how can we help them balance their faith and their commitment to sports? Sports are a mainstay in students’ lives and provides numerous benefits. But, it appears sports has only demanded more time and commitment in students’ schedules. So, how do we not see sports as a competition with our faith, but to see how our faith can be present in our athletic competitions?
No one is exempt from sleep. We must succumb to its embrace each day, even if we resist embracing it back. But, has the advent of the smartphone and other digital devices in our bedroom distract us from what we need? Sleep. Does the lack of sleep have greater affects in other areas of our lives? We hear directly from students about their sleep habits, if they are up late on their phones, and how it can affect their daily activities. We also discuss the current culture of surrendering the need for a sabbath and how we can begin to reclaim it in our lives.
Nick is a 7th grader who was born in South Africa. He moved to the United States when he was 7 years old. He provides a unique and, at times, a profound perspective on the topic of race in America, coming from a different culture. Just like any adolescent, he is trying to figure out where he fits in, both racially and ethnically. Racism is not an adult issue, but can be experienced regardless of age. Are we willing to take the time to listen to students to hear their perspective on tough topics like this?
Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream over 55 years ago, but was that dream merely poetry or was it prophecy? This is a story about two grown men, Will Ford & Matt Lockett, pursuing their connection to the past which caused them to face injustice and racial reconciliation that went beyond their imagination. Their personal dreams brought these two men together which turned into a fulfillment of a historic dream. Now their dream together is to actively work toward the ending of the next great injustice in this country, the injustice against the unborn. Their desire is to see the legal ending of abortion. Will and Matt have recently written a book together called The Dream King, found where books are sold.
Originally released March 17, 2017 https://neverthesame.podbean.com/e/302-a-dream-fulfilled/
To learn more, go to http://bound4life.com/.
To learn more about their story, go to http://www.thegodofprovidence.com/blog/.
Marginalization can come in many different forms. We can recognize the external factors that may cause people to become marginalized, but how do we go beyond just identifying those who are experiencing marginalization but instead speak to a student’s identity to say they are significant and they are believed in? When a student feels believed in, not just being noticed, there is a different level of trust that you build.
Nicole Smithee, founder of Iridescent Women, joins us to share her story and the importance as leaders to recognize those who are marginalized, to say there is a great future for them and how we can cheer them on toward that future.
Steve Carter, former lead teaching pastor of Willow Creek Community Church, joins the Thought Factory Podcast to discuss his journey in ministry, as well as, some of the thoughts, the emotions, and the aftermath he experienced while navigating the transition of leadership at Willow Creek, when the church's founder, Bill Hybels, stepped down amid sexual misconduct allegations and the ensuing investigation.
We continue the conversation about our life online with Chris McKenna, founder of Protect Young Eyes, and how he used his voice and passion to confront Snapchat about some of the X-rated content Snapchat was willing to present to their users without any age restrictions. A caution to any parent or adult who are disengaged and passive about their child going online.
Students are one click away from being surrounded by danger that could possibly ruin their lives, and in this digital age, when smartphones are more prevalent in the hands of students, are we aware of the dangers? Today, hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer discuss life online and these dangers with the founder of Protect Young Eyes, Chris McKenna. We will talk about the five most dangerous places for students to be when they go online and some ways to protect them in these environments.
Generations is an annual fundraising event put on by the national youth ministry organization, Never The Same. Never The Same is comprised of NTS Camp (youth camp), Claim Your Campus (student-led prayer movement), and Soul Exercises (Bible engagement), and Thought Factory (podcast). You will hear an update during the presentation of each ministry and stories that correspond to what God is doing through each aspect of the ministry. In the original presentation on November 29th, 2018, there were songs between each story that correlated to the story, but due to copyright laws, we are unable to publish the audio on the podcast.
If you would like to see the the full version, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZskaNs0w_e0
If you desire to donate or learn more, go to http://www.neverthesame.org/
Sexual predators are lurking online and coming into contact with students each day. How can adults be proactive in protecting them before they fall prey to their tactics? Today, hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer speak to Brian Freeouf, a investigator who specializes in internet crimes against children. He shares with us the two types of victims that sexual predators look for and how we can have a ministry or home that protects against them.
The majority of Christian students claim that the Bible is important. But, students are either not reading it at all, or may be reading it once or twice a week. We can easily make the statement to students that the Bible is important, that it is worth reading, and we can easily encourage them to do so. But, are we hindering their growth because we are not guiding and training them on how to engage God's Word? What would a youth ministry look like if it was focused on Bible engagement? How would your ministry, your community, and the world be impacted if it was? Hosts Jeff and Jayson interview the Director of Bible Engagement at Never The Same, Lindsey Gorveatte.
Guest interview with J. Warner Wallace, a Dateline featured cold-case homicide detective, popular national speaker and best-selling author of the book, Cold-Case Christianity. J. Warner grew up an atheist and then became a Christ-follower at the age of thirty-five, after investigating the claims of the New Testament gospels using his skill set as a detective.
Hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer have been taking a hard look at the reason why students are leaving the church and faith. We can easily assume this process begins after they graduate high school, but in reality, it is beginning much earlier than that. In the information age, are we preparing students for the skepticisms they will face before they graduate?
In this episode, hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer interview two former students of theirs from their respective youth ministries when they were youth pastors at different local churches. Aiman Jarrar and Corey Bordo were students who were highly involved in their church's student ministry, declared a strong faith in God, and were known as student leaders. Then, they graduated high school and become atheists.
We can hear all the stats about students leaving the Church and faith after high school and still do nothing different in our youth ministry context to try to stem the tide. This is something we cannot continue to ignore and do nothing about. Why are students leaving the Church? Should we be concerned they don't want anything to do with the faith you tried to spark and stoke? Are there things that bring solutions to this trend? What changes do youth leaders need to make to lead in a way that allows students to stick with their faith? Hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer speak with Fuller Youth Institute's Church Engagement Specialist, Matthew Deprez, about this trend and how we can be a part of the solution.
Never The Same, the organization that produces the Thought Factory Podcast, was established on November 1, 2009. This episode was recorded on the 9th anniversary of that day. Never The Same's founder and host, Jeff Eckart, has compiled a list of nine seismic changes in youth ministry that he has observed in the last 9 years. If you were to take the time to make some observations about youth ministry in the last decade, what changes have you noticed?
Who do students speak to the most about their faith? Friends? Parents? Who do students attribute their spiritual growth to the most? Our research has found the answer. In this episode, we will be discussing the importance of our adult leadership volunteer staff when working with students. But, when we are looking for adults to participate in the ministry, what are some traits we are to look for, traits to avoid? What may be some reasons to dismiss someone? Jeff and Jayson share what to look for, as well as, their personal experiences on handling adult small group leaders in student ministries.
We live in a day when the eyes of the nation are on the school campus. There has been enough tragedy on the school campus where the voice of students have been magnified. There’s no question that there is an overwhelming majority that believe we need to do more to make schools safe, but how we do that is a bit more complicated. In this episode, we follow up with a teacher from Parkland, Florida to get his thoughts on what adults' responses should and could be to the school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
How is today’s climate of school tragedies affecting students? Do they want tighter gun laws and policies for their school? Do they think adults are doing all they can to protect them? Do students feel safe walking onto their school campus? Today, Jeff and Jayson are going to explore inside the minds of "Generation Lockdown" and hear straight from their mouths their thoughts about the climate of schools. In many of their minds, it is not a matter of if something will happen, but when. Something needs to happen to protect students, but the consensus is that we just don't know what that solution is.
Prayer can be confusing and it can evoke many questions from people, especially students. Am I just talking to myself? Am I saying the right things when I talk to God? Why doesn't it seem like my prayers get answered? Does God care to even listen to me? But, amongst all the questions we may have, there is one question that stands out as the top question students are asking about prayer.
How many would promote a youth event and not include free food like any pizza? How many would have the event be centered around just prayer? In today's episode, hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer discuss the time of day students primarily pray and wondering if students are being taught the fundamentals of prayer beyond the rote ones that are default for many people. Is there a culture of prayer within the ministries we lead?
What can happen when 10 students have a burden to pray for their school and follow through with that conviction? What can happen when others are invited to pray? What if the number of those who are invited are in the 10's of thousands? In this episode, hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer interview two men who were there from the very beginning of See You At The Pole, Billy Beacham and Doug Clark. You will hear the story of how one of the world's largest prayer movement began and how it continues to make an impact around school campuses today.
America is broken and no government is going to fix or law is going to heal it. Prayer always precedes any great move of God. Hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer discuss the topic of prayer and spiritual climate of America with the new President of the National Day of Prayer, Ronnie Floyd.
At the core of each youth pastor or youth worker is to see students become disciples of Jesus Christ. The tough part is, how do we go about seeing that happen? How do we help students become disciples in our ministry or in our home? What are the basics of accomplishing that? Hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer discuss this topic with the Director of Soul Exercises, Lindsey Gorveatte, who states making disciples become easier when students are engaging in the Bible. Simple right? Then why is it still so hard to make actual disciples? Soul Exercises provides the system that can handle the varying spectrum of the faith maturity of students while engaging the Bible to accomplish a youth pastor or youth worker's core desire for students.
How do we approach ministry when it comes to donors' money? How do we cultivate donors and make the ask? What are the people with greater financial means thinking and expecting when they are approached to give money, especially when people ask them al the time to give to various causes? Hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer talk to a stockbroker who made a lot of money over the course of 30+ years in the financial industry. He gives us insight from his perspective of someone who is approached to give away his money all the time.
How do we approach ministry when it comes to money? Money is a tool that allows us to do the ministry we desire with students. But, do we have an abundance mentality or a scarcity mentality? Whether the youth ministry we work with has a $500, $5000, $50,000 budget, it appears to never be enough. Since we cannot physically make money, can we try to figure out how to leverage what we have been given to gain more?
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT EPISODE What does the future of schools look like? How can we leverage the school campus to create radical change in the culture of this country? In this episode, we discuss some very exciting future plans for the student-led prayer movement, Claim Your Campus, which we believe can usher in that change. Hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer also interview a former high school teacher who has become the CYC Growth Strategist to assist in fulfilling God's dream that was given to Jeff for this generation. Learn more at claimyourcampus.com/cyc2020
God has been kicked out of America's public school system. We have seen the results of His absence. Unfortunately, no policy in place will eradicate the symptoms of hate, but only a change in a person's heart. What would happen if students invited God back in through student-led prayer? In today's episode, hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer interview a national touring hip-hop artist and of Oxen Apparel, George Moss, who has gained access into schools through his performances and speaking opportunities, which has given him an inside view of what students face at school. We also hear a story from a public high school principal who has seen radical change through student-led prayer at his school.
It may be difficult to understand what happens in the hallways and classrooms of schools, or even what happens between friends and classmates behind the doors of a school campus. Today’s episode is brought to you from the student perspective. You will hear about the current culture at a variety of schools around the country and how a student's faith is making a difference in these schools.
The things that happen behind the closed doors of the school campus goes beyond just math problems & adolescent crushes – there are deeper issues that only teachers know about when they are with students the majority of the day. Today, Jayson Brewer has a conversation with Jeff Henderson, a middle school teacher in the public school system who lives out his Christian faith in his classroom, and how that faith has brought upon attacks to him and his entire school district.
In this episode, we continue giving students survival skills to help them forge their digital footprint through the world they live in. The internet is more of a reflection of who we are than what we say we are. How we navigate technology gives us insight into our heart because every click makes a mark, what is called Internet Permanence, even if we delete our history, the Internet never forgets. How can we help students understand this concept and give them tools to succeed in navigating this digital world?
In the wake of the horrific and tragic school shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer talk to Joshua Liggins, a teacher at Coral Springs Middle School. Coral Springs Middle is a feeder school into Douglas High, located down the road from where the shooting occurred. Josh gives his account from the day as the code red was given and his classroom's response to the news of the tragedy, as well as his response to the news of a former student attending Douglas High. It is a response of faith amongst the tragedy. Our prayers go out to the families of the victims, the community of Parkland, and for healing to the countless lives that were shattered on February 14, 2018.
Students' social status is a major part of their lives. Their appearance, their branding, their amount of likes and re-tweets become the elements of a transaction in regards to their interaction with others. Just like we place value on a currency, students place value on their social standing. In an attempt to get students to understand and realize that they are greater than their likes, we blend science and research to the digital life of a student to help them navigate the technological world.
We cannot go through a day without the digital world impacting our existence. If students don’t have the survival skills of navigating the digital life, they won’t survive in this modern world. We are evaluating how students interact with technology and how to help them learn these digital survival skills in the next few episodes. In today's episode, we discuss screen science with an interview with Protect Young Eyes founder, Chris McKenna, as well as discussing areas where digital technology is shaping students’ world & relationships.
The conversation continues about students sharing their faith with others. In this episode, hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer discuss the importance of clarity when it comes to what we believe. They share a simple method that allows anyone to remember how to share and to be confident in sharing the gospel. It is called THE FOUR, and Jayson has a conversation with the founder, Andreas "Boppi" Boppart, about its use in Switzerland and throughout Europe.
Do students find it offensive to talk about Jesus? Is evangelism dead? Is this generation of students too afraid to share their faith with others? Do they even care? It appears we are in the middle of a pendulum swing between two extremes. The tactics used in the past may have been birthed out of fear and guilt, causing people to simply be saved from Hell, but not for the life God grants us. It was based on a confrontational approach using words only. Has the pendulum swung so far to the other extreme that we now have removed the words, essentially the gospel, completely from our approach and only rely on our actions? In this episode, we explore students' thoughts on sharing their faith and where we are going in regards to the state of evangelism in youth ministry.
What habits at home attribute to lowering the high-risk behaviors in teenagers? Research has shown that this one habit can lower the things that many parents fear will happen to their adolescent. In this episode, the habits of the home are discussed, with our own research as well as outside research to support the conversation of why these habits can change your home and your children.
Whether you are a parent or leading students who have parents, this episode is for you. Hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer interview the founder of Winning At Home, Dan Seaborn, who was also the creator of the W.W.J.D bracelet phenomenon. Questions include, "What kinds of things should youth workers be thinking about when it comes to working with parents?" "What are ways that youth workers can help equip families to have intentional family conversations?" & "How can youth workers 'fill in the gaps' with students who don't have parental support for their faith?"
How can we help parents win with their students? As youth leaders, do we really know what parents need from us? Is the way we are doing youth ministry helping or hindering them as parents? What is the #1 thing we can do to affirm parents? Will our efforts be felt by only the student or the entire family? In this episode, hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer provide a list of 10 ways youth leaders can help parents win.
Are students leaving the church? In this episode, hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer discuss what can happen to a church if the students are ignored. Ignored in the budget, ignored in their involvement, ignored in allowing their voice to be heard. Special guest interview with Darren Campbell, a part-time pastor, full-time business owner discusses his approach to his church, Exit 59 Church, by allowing complete amateurs run it. He also shares the analogy of the Church needs to be more like a kitchen and less like a restaurant. How are we investing in the next generation of church-goers?
Churches are losing both members and vitality as increasing numbers of young people disengage. In this episode, we interview Kara Powell, who is the executive director of the Fuller Youth Institute and a faculty member at Fuller Theological Seminary. Kara co-authored Growing Young, which is about 6 essential strategies to help young people discover and love your church. Growing Young is based on groundbreaking research with over 250 of the nation's leading congregations and it provides a strategy any church can use to involve and retain teenagers and young adults. The book shows pastors and ministry leaders how to position their churches to engage younger generations in a way that breathes vitality, life, and energy into the whole church.
Are students leaving the church? Fifty percent of students drift from their faith after graduating high school. Of those who drift, 80% did not plan to drift from their faith when they went to college or went into the workforce. Are we losing the battle with students or is there a reason to have hope in this generation's loyalty to the local church? In this episode, hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer dive into the numbers from their research about students' loyalty to the church, their youth group, and what it looks like for students' faith when they actually attend church post-graduation. What can we do as youth leaders to prepare students for faith outside high school, to ensure it sticks?
Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream over 54 years ago, but was that dream merely poetry or was it prophecy? This is a story about two grown men, Will Ford & Matt Lockett, pursuing their connection to the past which caused them to face injustice and racial reconciliation that went beyond their imagination. Their personal dreams brought these two men together which turned into a fulfillment of a historic dream. Now their dream together is to actively work toward the ending of the next great injustice in this country, the injustice against the unborn. Their desire is to see the legal ending of abortion.
To learn more, go to http://bound4life.com/.
To learn more about their story, go to http://www.thegodofprovidence.com/blog/.
The recent protests against the National Anthem are more than just about taking a knee, but they are another symptom of the growing division we are experiencing in America in regards to race. It seems like we have gone backward instead of forward in the progress of race relations. The protests have even extended to high school football games. Hosts Jeff Eckart & Jayson Brewer speak with a high school football coach, Steve Anderson, who has witnessed racism first hand against his players. Is it possible that we are in the early stages of healing from all this? Is God taking us through all this pain right now to bring us through into a time of healing? Are we able to recognize what God is doing through all the noise of division?
John Knox, a Scottish minister and theologian who led the Protestant Reformation in his country, once said, "Lord, give me Scotland or I die!" In this episode, Jeff expresses his desire for this generation to have the same spirit toward their school campus, as well as the world. Do you have the drive that shows that you are hungry for it, you want it, you have to have it, that you have to see your campus be changed by the power of God's love? Give me "my campus" or I die! Part 4 of 4. Recorded on March 5, 2017.
Are you a leader or a follower? What makes a good leader? What makes a good follower? If you really want to see God change the world through your prayers, then it's connected to your commitment to follow him. In this episode, Jeff discusses three foundational questions that will help students examine their level of devotion. Jesus is not looking for leaders as much as he is looking for followers. If you follow him and go where he is going, people will follow you. Part 3 of 4. Recorded on March 4, 2017