Youth Worker On Fire Podcast

Matt Ferguson is the CIO (Chief Innovation Officer) and Head of Storymaking at Storyland Studios and PlainJoe (A Storyland Studio). Matt is a master of encouragement and leadership. His creative and insightful nature has led him to incredible opportunities vastly beyond our time together, when he was a student in my youth group. Our main focus in this episode is about Matt’s work with PlainJoe. This part of Storyland Studios focuses on non-profits, churches, schools, and more. They help develop these non-profits to make clear their vision and value within their community and the rest of the world. We hope you enjoy this interview between Matt and Doug! _______________________________ Learn more Storyland Studios here: https://www.storylandstudios.com/ Learn more PlainJoe here: https://www.plainjoestudios.com/ _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder’s Guidebook” here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy Listen to m

Environments your students, parents and volunteer staff drive into, walk into, and engage others with… It sets the mood and the tone for learning and caring. All student Ministries are not made or created equal. All students are not made for all student ministries. Both students and student ministries have their own personalities, dispositions, and characteristics. Set the pace! Who are you wanting the personality and character of your student ministry (or other organization) to be? What do you want regular and new students to feel when they walk in and when they leave those small and large group meetings? This can apply to your family, business, and volunteer groups. It works with non Christian groups as well as Christian ministry groups. A few tips to inspire your environment: Visit the best student ministries in several counties or beyond and take notes on what you felt and how to adapt that to your groups. Go to concerts that students love, Christian and secular. What are they responding to and what leav

How is Different good? It’s good because God has made us very unique and individual since before birth, according to Psalm 139. People as a whole (or in groups) don't usually like “Different”, because conformity is easier to understand. Conformity is predictable and doesn't cause surprises. Difference-makers change their world and the world around them. They do not conform to the standards of the world. Jesus was different and He shook the standard up! Student ministry shakes the standard up, because students are full of energy and life. They cause people to rethink their positions and thoughts in life, because they have fresh creative minds that want to know “Why and How?”. Those questions demand answers and Jesus was the same in that He made people rethink the way they were doing life. How about you? Are you stuck in conformity or are you asking God what He thinks and what He wants you to do in life? Do you think you are too flawed for Him to use you? Think again! God Loves you as messy as you are and He wi

“Be slow to speak…” James 1:9 Recently, I sent a video to a church event out of state.  No not the one I served locally. They asked me to speak and I asked if I could send a video if I could not show up. They said yes so I did. I found out the new pastor decided not to use it, because it was too long. However, it was told to me that he was going to tell people what I said anyways (in their own words) without my consent…Hmmmmmmmm!!! I asked that they say nothing about the video or me, because I knew something just didn’t feel right. Then I was told, ”No they are going to do that any ways.” So…whats the Big Deal? Great question. Pastors and people in general really like to change words up for their benefit. I have had more pastors, in public, say things that they say, I said, that I didn’t say.  As a whole not only do people say wrongly what other people say, or their intent, but very few people or pastors are truly confidential. If you did one thing in your ministry or life, it would be this… “Be as wise as se

Here is a good place to emphasis this well known fact in great businesses and great ministries… What have you GIVEN UP to go to the NEXT LEVEL? What have you said NO to before saying YES to something better? You will find here that Emelia Hartford (Record Breaking Car Builder & Driver, Actress, and Producer) had to give somethings up in order for Ferrari to help her! It was funny, but true! Ferrari won’t run without Ferrari parts. A Ferrari mechanic said, ”Yeah… Ferrari’s only work well with the parts they were designed with.” Aftermarket parts don’t work! When Emelia pushed on the gas and asked for more power, it went into “limp mode”, because the parts it was designed for were not there and the car knew something was missing. So what did Emelia Hartford have to give up? Listen to this podcast episode to find out! We were made with a design that included God in our very being. Without Him there, we try to fill that hole with aftermarket parts. We don’t run correctly and nothing seems to quite right. Like

Rick Eldridge started out as a music artist and Campus Life director for Youth For Christ in Orlando. So… how did he becoming a movie producer / film director? We dive into this here and also talk about his new movie, NEVER GIVE UP - The Brad Minns Story. The true story of how twenty-year-old Brad Minns does the impossible in the Men’s Singles Tennis Finals in the 1985 Deaf World Games. In a five-hour match for the ages, Minns somehow comes back from match point in the third set to winning the Gold medal in the fifth set. The match serves as a framework for the story of this inspirational man who became deaf at age three and rose to the height of his sport thanks to God helping him to NEVER GIVE UP. Watch the movie trailer here: www.reelworks.com/projects/nevergiveup Enjoy this episode about an inspiring movie maker with an inspiring story! Learn more about Rick's upcoming and past projects here: www.reelworks.net/projects _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can r

Mike Wolfe from the TV show American Pickers says, “It’s the smalls that keep us in business.” These guys go after big items like, high six figure vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles. They restore historic buildings. They shop through out the USA to fill their stores in Iowa and Nashville. But the things that keep them going are the small items that can be sold to anyone. Those individual valuable items they buy with certain people in mind. The church is the same way. It’s those one-on-one times with individuals that change the trajectory of your community and the world. It’s the smalls that keeps your student ministry in business too! The “face to face asks” have been the most impactful, long term effective moments in all of my ministry life. The big events, trips, camps, adventures, and big meetings where we had everyone we could invite show up were incredibly important. But…the after meetings of small groups, asking a student or parent, or someone who is wanting to know more, the question… “Would you lik

You are not alone… So give your best to your family and give your best to your ministry! Episode Scripture Reference: Psalm 139 :1-18 Heaven knows your name and so does your family and friends. Give your best to both worlds, because God is there to help you succeed in your family and ministry. So with this in perspective, when you are in a tough place… with your church, board members, parents, students, senior pastors, or even your own family, there is one thing that you must keep in perspective… WHO DO YOU WORK FOR?  You work for God!  Not arrogantly, but confidently. God put you on this road of ministry and He will keep you there. Stay confident that you are not subservient to your other pastors or board members. That your calling is as high a calling as all the rest…if they aren’t on that same page with you, then are you sure God has called you there? If you aren’t sure that God has brought you to this place in ministry then…find another place or vocation. Sounds harsh, but don’t waste your time where yo

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11 Did you know that Johnny Cash was one of the great philanthropist of student ministry? Johnny Cash… the man, the singer, the legend changed my life and I wasn’t even a country music fan! His decision to say “YES!” to Youth For Christ got me to Florida with that organization. In this episode, I dive into how and why this happened for me and many others! God will use whoever He wants to get you wherever He has planned for you. He has made you to do good works. (Ephesians 2:10) _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder’s Guidebook” here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: https://bit.ly/3saDyYq _______________________________ EPISODE CREDITS Email us at: youthworkeronfire@gmail.com Hosted by: Doug

Iron Sharpens Iron (Proverbs 27:17 NLT), so a Friend Sharpens a Friend. More than one mentor brings strength! I have always tried to lead students in ministry (and my own children) by directing them toward several mentors. Dr. John Maxwell said, “With one mentor you get their good qualities and their bad ones too. With many mentors you can take the good from each one….”! I was watching the University of Colorado vs Nebraska football game recently. The coach, Deion Sanders (Coach Prime), is an intriguing leader. Pastor and Coach Harold Kelly knew Deion from FCA and during his time with Coach Bobby Bowden. Bobby was Deion’s coach at Florida State University and Pastor Harold Kelly is the one who reminded me about Deion’s Christian influence. Deion said in an interview about coaching at the University of Colorado and his life in general, “I am a part of all the coaches from pee wee league to the NFL that coached me. I am all of those combined.” We are all the cumulative effect of the many influencers (mentors) i

Sammie Smith was an NFL (Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos) and College Football (Florida State University) running back, as well as, a track star at Apopka High School and Florida State University. After a career ending injury and 7 years in prison, God’s plan for his life started unfolding! During his pro career, his son died of SIDS and life was not the same. Sammie and his wife have served God full-time with FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) for many years and recently released his first book about his journey with God titled, “My Name Is Not 18121-018”. In this episode, we talk about how his new ministry with FCA is developing, including the addition of Salt and Fresh Water Fishing to his sports area of outreach. Sammie and his family gave a lot of years to Ole Miss University through FCA and now he has come back to Florida. Blessing us with his leadership and care for students, leadership, and families. Listen up as we dive into the many things God is doing through Sammie and how you can get involv

I can’t afford time off… But I can afford a hospital visit after breaking down from the stress I am under. You might say that sounds ridiculous! But people say these things all the time, but they don’t say the second part. They feel justified or tough by saying I don’t have time or money to fix what’s hurting me. So now what…? Jesus the Messiah often talked about REST. Here is one thing he said… Matthew 11:28-30 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” True REST is a radical concept! My upcoming book could have easily been titled radical REST!  If you want to radically change your world, you are going to have to radically move and maneuver. Without extreme REST you CANNOT be the best version of yourself that God intended for you to be. So REST UP MY FRIENDS! Wake up and smell the coffee, smell the roses, see

“I came that you might have life in ALL of its Abundance.” - John 10:10  Volunteers and student leaders… train them and educate them regularly on what is expected and consistently remind them of God’s vision through you for themselves and your student ministry. During my time as a student minister, we would take our volunteer staff to various trainings hosted by student focuses groups (YPS, SLU, YFC, FCA etc.) and a few weeks before the school year would start, we would have one weekend for training at a special location (beach, mountains, etc.) with our volunteers and their families. That was the best, but one year I decided to change it up! At that time you could park at any of the Disney World hotels for free and and hold impromptu sessions in the lobby or on the outside of the property. I loved the Animal Kingdom Lodge, with the outdoor fire pits, rocking chairs, all while being surrounded by wild African animals roaming the zoo like setting onsite. If you knew someone working there, in upper management,

Dr. Cary Ferree has been a volunteer for student ministry and Guatemalan Missions for many years. She is also a full-time Pharmacist for Bay Lake Pharmacy for the Long Term Care Division, servicing much of Central Florida.  Cary volunteered for the student ministry I was pastor over for several years and her husband Eric was a volunteer as well. In this episode, you will hear how and why she was on her church's latest student missions trip as a leader and medical personnel, both volunteer positions. There are qualities in Cary and her family that are environments to grow strong and committed people to God, family, and ministry (especially volunteer ministry). My hope for all you youth workers is that you can develop a volunteer force as strong as Dr. Cary and her husband Eric are. You can connect with Dr. Ferree here: https://mhm-guatemala.org/ _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder’s Guidebook” here:

To Youth Workers - Cracking the Code: “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.” - Matthew 10:16-20 NLT Youth For Christ taught me that we need to know the strategies for reaching students, families, and communities. How to be a valued part of the schools we serve. Then YFC trainers said this, “But… if you do that without the Spirit of God guiding you, you are no better than any other club or student group on campus.” You must be prayed up to be fully prepared! Here are a few key things to CRACK THE CODE: Assess the “flavor/aroma/personality of your community”… church expectations, parent expectations of current students, community rituals and values, schools rules and values. He will prepare you and the people you are to encounter. God’s leading will save you a lot of wasted time and effort. “Ask, and God will give it to you. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be open for you. -  Matthew 7:7-11 NCV Volunteers and student leaders… tra

Tom Yohe (Hope For Hurting Parents) has returned for a 2nd interview on the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast to discuss his new book called “Moments of Clarity: Wisdom from the Father of a Prodigal”. Yes, Tom and Dena Yohe have been on this podcast before! You can hear more of their story on episode 50 of Youth Worker On Fire Podcast and all about Renee Yohe, their daughter. As well as, a group that started a movement around her story called “To Write Love On Her Arms”. Tom Yohe and his wife Dena Yohe started on this journey when their middle daughter at age 12 started cutting herself. Tom was a pastor at the time. They thought they had everything under control by the time she entered high school. Tom and Dena felt led to join Campus Crusade For Christ (CRU) as staff. They moved their family to Russia for a missions project and not long after, found that their daughter’s problems had gotten worse instead of better. They left the mission field and came back to the United States of America, so their daughter could

Bend… but not break! It seems like a good thing, but when analyzing objects that keep bending, they eventually lose their shape. Bending items (and people) lose their ability to bounce back at some point and some eventually break… Yes, eventually they BREAK! This episode is a look into how often we bend to pressures, people, and spiritual battles thinking we are more flexible and resilient than we actually are. Sometimes we are a bit too proud of ourselves for being so strong and unbreakable. But are we really? Is it possible that we are broken already, because we have lost our “True North”, our “Core Values”, or our belief that we are called to stand strong? Also, with God's Love (His Agape) shake up the darkness and make it bend to God's ways, which are our Shield and Fortress. "We do not fight against flesh and blood." "The weapons we have are not of this world, but are there to tear down strongholds." BENDING WILL BREAK YOU! _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You

GROWN UPs! Now those are big words to live up to. My wife would say that has never applied to me, Ha! Ha! But, that is not what this is about. This is about a 4 episode podcast I listened to, by Andy Stanley, that takes a very interesting look at when and how the Christian Bible came about and especially the New Testament. I like this, because otherwise I might not have taken the time to understand all the facts and fun history on how all of this was put together. It might be something that you can use with other adults or students that want to think a little deeper or wider. Even if you don't agree with everything it is a great discussion starter for you and your family, friends and colleagues. You might say, "This is beneath me, I already know this stuff." That's great, but in what context do we get to have these discussions and share these truths? In many cases, we get to share fractions of what God has shown us because of time and space and who we are ministering to. Either way enjoy soaking it in or tear

“Keep your eyes focused on what is right, and look straight ahead to what is good. Be careful what you do, and always do what is right. Don’t turn off the road of goodness; keep away from evil paths.” - Proverbs 4:25-27 NCV I did not become who or what I wanted to be. God had a better idea. It’s OK! The disciples had other plans too and Jesus changed their direction and goals twice.  1. Being called to His ministry. 2. Being filled with Power at Pentecost.  Both were overwhelming and not in their plans for life. Many of you are experiencing the same or similar things. Not your original plans for life and didn’t see that God encounter coming.  I did not do things on a grand scale by my standards, but God gave me a better standard. He used my weaknesses more than He ever used my strengths. And… in my frustration, He still does. God let me focus in one area of our state for almost 30 years. I spent countless hours on medias, speeches, volunteers, and no one ever sought after me as a speaker or consultant. My fri

Zane is a 3rd Generation Pastor. Zane’s grandpa was a pastor for many decades and his dad is currently a pastor in Iowa City, Iowa. In this episode, you will hear about his life and the legacy left to him that he is carrying down. Zane was born and raised in Freeport, Illinois and spent his college years in Chicago at Trinity International University and Divinity School where he also played basketball. anything that includes being active or being outside.  Zane and his wife Mackenzie got married in June 2020 in the middle of the pandemic and spent the first six months of their marriage in Chicago. Not long after, they received the call to Trinity Church in Eustis. He has been serving as the youth pastor at Trinity Church the last two years.  Zane went into college with his eyes set on business and “making it” as the world would describe, but soon felt God leading him in another direction… to pursue ministry! In the process of switching his major from business to Biblical studies, God laid youth ministry on hi