Youth Worker On Fire Podcast

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

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

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

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

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

Jeff Bezos, the founder owner of Amazon, understands and believes in the difference between a Calling and a Career. If a great business man believes in a calling, how much more should we? Are you called to serving others and adventure? Or are you stuck, because you can’t see beyond a pay check? Jesus said an earthly father knows how to give good gifts to his children. How much more does your Heavenly Father give good gifts beyond imagination to his children?  Ask God for His passion with in and His Calling for you in this world. Ephesians 2:10 and Psalm 139 Jesus said “Greater works will you do…..” _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder’s Guidebook” here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: https://bit.ly/3saDyYq _______________________________ EPISODE CREDITS Email us at: youthworkeronfire@gmail.com Hosted by: Doug Edwards Theme Song: "The One a

Andy McDaniel... Leader... Ripple... Tsunami!   What is a tsunami? A tsunami is a series of extremely long waves caused by a large and sudden displacement of the ocean, usually the result of an earthquake below or near the ocean floor. This force creates waves that radiate outward in all directions away from their source, sometimes crossing entire ocean basins.   Andy McDaniel was born and raised in poverty in Alabama, USA (or Bama as he would say). He was 1 of 5 children. In high school, a girl he liked invited him to a Campus Life Club, which is a division of Youth For Christ. That was the first RIPPLE. This young lady had no idea that she had awakened a sleeping Giant of a Leader! She simply did the right thing.   His Campus Life Director led him to Jesus and discipled him... RIPPLE #2 has now begun! Andy feels called to Campus Life Ministry with YFC and thus the ripple becomes an EARTH SHAKING event that has occurred, but no one has yet identified. He becomes a Campus Life Coordinator for Clearwater and l

Lenita Abouchabake is from Sydney, Australia and the Founder of Teen Coach Academy. This is her second interview on the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast. Lenita's business is helping adults who already serve teenagers and their families become teen life coaches. That may seem odd to some of you, but life coaching has been around for quite a while... and this is even better! Youth workers need to make a living and they are seldom paid what they are worth. In fact, they are well undervalued in churches who should be pouring the bulk of their resources into their Youth & Family Pastors, students, and their families.   Why? Because we say that students are our future, but what many unfortunately mean by this is students are our future... as long as it doesn't cost us too much.   If we were to pay workers what they are worth and build a budget to support these future leaders, then we would see frequent worldwide changes in our society. Instead, with the exception of a small percentage of churches and schools world

Most people really do not know why they believe what they believe. Many of us who do, need to be refreshed, so that we can fight spiritual warfare more effectively. But in your hearts set Christ apart [as holy—acknowledging Him, giving Him first place in your lives] as Lord. Always be ready to give a [logical] defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope and confident assurance [elicited by faith] that is within you, yet [do it] with gentleness and respect. - 1 Peter 3:15 (Amplified Bible) "A Ready Defense" by Josh McDowell is a book I gave out to seniors at our church as we honored them for their right of passage out of high school. I knew only some of them would use it and a close friend of mine, currently is getting ready to go through this a page a day over the next year.  You will have to listen to this podcast episode to learn why this almost 500 page reference book is so key to our faith and especially our students. It can be used as a "Bible Book Study" to prepare students for life... especi

While you may be teaching, coaching, raising or leading adolescence it is important that you pay the most attention to your young children while doing the work. Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest. - Luke 9:48 When children are present you must be mindful of them. You must look them in the eyes, listen to them, and tell them how much you love them. The rest of the world will be changed by the way you love your family. Your children and spouse are watching and paying attention. But the world around you is especially watching... They recognize how you treat your own. _______________________________ 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 ____

COMFORT... IS IT A TRAP? Most of us "work forward" -> to being comfortable, but comfort can kill you or at the least make you lose the ability to achieve or live up to the purposes God has made you for in this life. Too much comfort slows creative juices down. To much comfort can set you up for moral failures as it did for King David. "Pray that the LORD your God will tell us where we should go and what we should do.” - Jeremiah 42:3 Stanley Tam - US Plastics Company: Gave God 100% control as Senior Partner over his company. Stanley took only a salary for himself. Why? Because Stanley knew God would do more with the money than he could. He also knew that the treasures in heaven would last through eternity so Stanley said that he was just paying it forward. A little comfort is good for renewal. A lot of comfort is good for destruction. Choose wisely! _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder’s Guidebook” 

YOU MATTER… Everything You Do Counts… Everyone You Meet Is Important! You were bought with a price [you were actually purchased with the precious blood of Jesus and made His own]. So then, honor and glorify God with your body. - 1 Corinthians 6:20 (Amplified Bible) For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us]. - Ephesians 2:10 (Amplified Bible) All the above and much more is what I am talking about on this episode. God does not make mistakes and has already pre-arranged and set in motion your events and intersections with people, places and good works.  Keep in mind that every person good, sad, happy, glad, mad and annoying are important. God is using them to give you opportunities. He is also giving you for them for th

In this episode, we interview Chase Allen (Youth Pastor at First Baptist Church Umatilla) about his month long sabbatical in 2023. Here are some of the questions we discuss: 1. How long have you been in student ministry and how long have you been at this Church? 2. Who decided you needed a sabbatical? 3. Did you think you had time to take a sabbatical?  4. What changes did you feel with the extended time off while on sabbatical? 5. What did you do or not do? 6. Was your time off refreshing?  7. How did this time off affect your wife and children? 8. Do you feel, see or have any thoughts on what changes in yourself have occurred or not? Has anyone else noted anything better about you? 9. Could you have used more or less time? To the listener of this episode… How does this translate in your life? How can you take a sabbatical even though it looks impossible in your busy world? _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry

Better to have little, with fear for the LORD, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil. (Proverbs 15:16) Ed Sheeran (Songwriter/Artist) - “Writing music is like turning on a faucet. At first you get muddy water. The more you run it, the clearer the water gets. The same thing happens when writing music. At first the ideas are unclear, but as you keep writing the thoughts and ideas become clearer and better.” Here are a few important topics we discuss in this podcast episode: Small goals that gives you wins. Scale down your big habits or goals to small wins. Every action should be about “casting a vote” for the type of person you want to become. A few examples of the consistent habits I complete on a daily and/or weekly basis: 11 minutes in the gym during my lunch hour. 3 to 6 minute cold plunge in my pool during the winter season to prepare for upcoming cold weather events. Record a solo or interview style YWOF Podcast episode. Short consistent wins are better than long sporadic wins! People need con

God has a plan for you and your team! Moses had a lot of energy when he was in Egypt and thought he knew everything. However, he found that his energy alone and his willingness to lead got him into trouble. It took God about 40 years to get Moses in the mindset to where he actually could lead with humility. In this episode, you will learn about the four major excuses Moses used with God, thinking that would get him out of leading. God led us all from somewhere to ministry and I bet you possibly had one, if not all, of Moses same excuses… I know I did!  God always has a better plan for your life. He also has appointed a team of volunteers and employees to make things possible to build His kingdom through student ministry and through our student’s families. God is interested in your humility and your willingness to follow him even when it scares you to your knees. Ironically, his way is a lot more fun than your way! I would’ve been a pretty boring person even with the exciting life that I had planned for myself

Happy New Year! God has a plan for your life. I always knew I was meant for something good since I was very young… around 5th grade to be exact. But it was seldom easy. At age 15, I had a God encounter that would send me on the journey I saw in a daydream when I was 10 years old. That journey has never ended. God continues to open and close doors. What about your life? What about the lives of students and families that God has used you to speak hope and love into? “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10) For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11) We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps. (Proverbs 16:9) Enjoy where you are and who you are with… be grateful! God loves a cheerful giver and a loving heart. Press forward even if it’s only one step at a time in this New Year! _________________________

Pick your… WORD FOR THE YEAR! Yes, one word. A friend of mine has asked me and many other friends to pick their “word” for quite a few years now. What is that one word that you want to define the upcoming year? Here are a few changes you can make to go from negative talk to positive and proactive thinking: Impatient…Patient Unprepared…..Always Prepared  Not Confident….Confident Transactional….Relational Doesn’t Follow Up…Follows Up Doesn’t Advertise…Advertises Doesn’t Ask For Referrals…Asks For Referrals Break the Link between… - Thought To Action: Waiting on God is also an action. Keep showing up and move forward as God keeps the doors open. Each time you think about what you are to do or want to do next… take Action again.  - Stop Trying To Solve Problems That Are Made Up In Your Mind And Not Real: Stop being your own worst enemy. Start being your own best cheerleader. People need a leader who knows where he or she is going. Confident, but not arrogant. Strong, but not angry… confident. - It’s Ok To Be Up

Fundraising… Blessing or Nightmare? (Answer: They can be both.) Usually you are either a good at: Ministering to people or 2. Fundraising (Occasionally some are both.) But it doesn’t matter. It’s not about you, it’s about God. It’s about you transferring your knowledge and your abilities to others. When you’re not good at something, then you find somebody else that is. We often say if we show by example and do it, all the people will follow our example of doing. Most of the time that’s not true. You must do a little show a lot and handed over. What we want to do is rescue people when they start failing. All that means is now we are discouraging them to think that we are better than them and that we will have to rescue them… and guess what? They’ll let you. You need to help them find a way to win, but never win for them. That’s what Jesus did for his disciples. He did not win for them (and at times they were frustrated), so He would say… do it this way. Do you believe God has placed you in the most important

This episode is an episode unto itself, but came out of an original interview with Chuck Mingonet (Episode 101, Navy Jet Pilot and Commander). Chuck and his wife have two children. Their daughter and her husband, became missionaries based in Spain. Ian their son (Chuck’s grandson), became ill while on the mission field with a brain tumor that was known to be fatal. The family came back to the USA for treatment. In the process, they were told that Ian would not have long to live… But Ian comes from a genetic and spiritual background of warriors, nationally, and spiritually. So at a young age, Ian learned to be a warrior. Ian asked to go back to the mission field in Spain, so he could share Jesus with his soccer team and church. After a discussion between Ian’s parents, grandparents, and doctors, the decision was “If this is what Ian wants to do, he has the green light from his doctors to go.” And so they went! This episode is about being able to change peoples lives, no matter how young or old you are. Ian has

From the Mission Possible Devotion: "Hard days will come. People will try your patience. What you worked for won’t happen the way you hoped it would… when you want to stop pursuing excellence, just keep showing up." 1 Cor. 15:58 - "My beloved brothers and sisters, be firm, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder’s Guidebook” here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: https://bit.ly/3saDyYq _______________________________ EPISODE CREDITS Email us at: youthworkeronfire@gmail.com Hosted by: Doug Edwards Theme Song: "The One and Only" by The 808 : Listen to more at https://bit.ly/3FTYIAJ Intro/Outro Voiceover: Michael Helms : https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelTheSoundGuy  Edited by: Secret Roots Music House