In this first of two episodes, we’re exploring the theme of “dark night of the soul” in Asian American youth ministry, sharing personal stories of spiritual dryness, ministry discouragement, and the hidden pressures that shape these seasons. We unpack how youth workers can recognize spiritual desolation in themselves and in their students, respond with patience and presence rather than quick fixes, and build healthier ministry cultures that allow vulnerability and support. The conversation ultimately points toward hope—trusting that even in fruitless, confusing, and silent seasons, God is still at work forming leaders, students, and communities for deeper faithfulness.

RESOURCES. 
Teenagers and Mental Health: A Handbook for Parents, Pastors, and Youth Leaders by Monica Kim and Danny Kwon
Making Space for Encouragement in Youth Ministry
Pushing Back on the Loneliness Epidemic Among Young People - Rooted Ministry 

Follow on Instagram @therootedministry.

Subscribe to the Rooted podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

Asian American Ministry Resources on Rooted

Follow @therootedministry on Instagram

In today’s episode, we unpack on-the-ground insights from Rooted’s 15th Annual conference in Lake Forest, Illinois. Join Dorothy, Justin, and Terrence for this reflection from the 2025 Rooted Conference. 

Recent Release: Teenagers and Mental Health: A Handbook for Parents, Pastors, and Youth Leaders (Monica Kim & Danny Kwon)

Rooted Reservoir - Luke/Acts Curriculum (Free download for Lesson 1 guides)

Houston, TX folks: Mark your calendars for a youth workers’ training day on Saturday, January 31, 2026.

Subscribe to the Rooted podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

Asian American Ministry Resources on Rooted

Follow @therootedministry on Instagram

In today’s episode, we’re tackling a crucial but often overlooked part of ministry: onboarding and offboarding youth leaders. Bringing leaders onto the team well—and walking with them when it’s time to step away—can make all the difference for the health and sustainability of a ministry. We’ll share how we discern readiness, train and mentor new leaders, and care for them along the way. We’ll also dig into how to navigate transitions with grace—whether they’re healthy, painful, or somewhere in between.

The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School: Asian American Edition, edited by Kevin Yi
Rooted Mentoring Programs


Follow on Instagram @therootedministry.
Subscribe to the Rooted podcast wherever you get your podcasts.
 

Asian American Ministry Resources on Rooted

Follow @therootedministry on Instagram

Effective youth ministry leadership is not about building the “perfect” team—it’s about cultivating a culture of trust, gospel-centered relationships, and shared mission. In this episode, join Dorothy, Justin, and Huey as these veteran youth pastors think and talk through organizational leadership teams in youth ministry. In Asian American church contexts, this means paying attention not only to organizational structure but also to cultural dynamics that shape how teams serve and grow together.

Join us in Chicago, October 23-25, 2025, for our annual gospel-centered youth ministry conference! Sign-up and scope out the workshops.

Sign-up for the Asian American Pre-Conference lunch gathering ($35).

The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School: Asian American Edition, edited by Kevin Yi

Rooted Mentoring Programs

Asian American Ministry Resources on Rooted

Follow @therootedministry on Instagram

Join us in Chicago, October 23-25, 2025, for our annual gospel-centered youth ministry conference! Sign-up and scope out the workshops.

Sign-up for the Asian American Pre-Conference lunch gathering ($35).

The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School: Asian American Edition, edited by Kevin Yi

Rooted Mentoring Programs

Follow on Instagram @therootedministry.

Subscribe to the Rooted podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

Asian American Ministry Resources on Rooted

Follow @therootedministry on Instagram

In this episode, as we ramp up for this year’s Rooted Conference, Huey, Terrence, and Dorothy share their past experiences with Rooted Conferences. We’ll hear what they’ve most enjoyed, appreciated, and gleaned. They’ll share what makes this conference distinct from other ministry conferences. Finally, we’ll share more details about our upcoming conference as we study The Church in Acts and explore a wide array of workshop topics.

Gospel-Centered and Grace-Filled: Experiencing the Rooted Conference by Mary Beth Johnston

The Importance of Ministry Friends by Connor Coskery

Check out our Conference Webpage to sign-up and scope out the workshops. We can’t wait to see you in Chicago, October 23-25!

Follow on Instagram @therootedministry.

Subscribe, rate, and review the Rooted podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

Asian American Ministry Resources on Rooted

Follow @therootedministry on Instagram

The Back to School grind is real! In this episode of the AAYM Roundtable, Terrence talks with Dorothy and Justin about their preparation and priorities to maximize disciple-making. Along the way, the three share many practical nuggets of wisdom, as well as their pastoral burdens for local churches from an Asian-American context.

A Back to School Checklist for Youth Ministers
You Can’t Do This Alone: Recruiting and Retaining Youth Leaders by Zac Lusk
Nurturing a Youth Ministry Culture that Fosters Intergenerational Ministry with Danny Kwon
The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School: Asian American Edition

Get more info and register for the Rooted 2025 Conference (10/23-25) in Dorothy’s home city!

FOLLOW us on IG @rootedministry.

Please rate and review the Rooted AAYM Roundtable wherever you listen to podcasts!
 

Asian American Ministry Resources on Rooted

Follow @therootedministry on Instagram

So much happens in youth ministry during the summer months that it can become a busy blur. Terrence hosts this conversation with Justin and Dorothy, focusing on the specifics of retreat planning and the how-tos of establishing healthy personal rhythms. The three practitioners conclude with encouragements for youth ministers to take care of themselves so they can persevere joyfully for the long-run.

RESOURCES

Rooted Podcast: Maximizing Summer Youth Ministry: Balancing Activity and Rest

Practical Advice for Planning Your Next Youth Retreat by Josh Hussung

How I Handle Discipline on a Youth Retreat or Trip by Ryan Oakes

The Practical and the Personal: Keeping Up With Students After a Trip or Retreat by Rebecca Lankford

The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School: Asian American Edition

FOLLOW us on IG @rootedministry!

Asian American Ministry Resources on Rooted

Follow @therootedministry on Instagram

Part two of the "Seasons of Discernment" series delves into the expectations surrounding youth ministry searches, particularly within Asian American congregations. The roundtable discussion explores both the spoken and the unspoken expectations that churches have for prospective youth pastors, including program development, cultural sensitivities, and familial integration. The team also emphasizes the importance for candidates to discern these expectations through careful observation and insightful questions. Furthermore, the conversation addresses the expectations youth pastors should have of a church, such as adequate support and clarity on the role, encouraging proactive inquiry during the hiring process to ensure vision alignment and a healthy working relationship.
 

Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates.
Follow and subscribe to the Asian American Youth Ministry Roundtable wherever you listen to podcasts.
Join us at the Rooted 2025 Conference!
 

quotes:

Timestamps: 
(0:37) Introductions
(3:10) Dorothy answers, “What is one thing you wish someone told you before the youth ministry search?” 
(5:12) “I wish someone told me that I could ask questions. When I first began in youth ministry, I felt like I had to prove myself to the church.” - Huey
(17:13) “It’s important that you have a sense of self-awareness that you can receive feedback yourself.” - Dorothy
(18:51) Huey answers, “What were some expectations that Asian American churches put on youth pastors?” 
(22:18) “The initial job description was 3-pages long” - Dorothy
(27:08) “When do you ask about compensation?”

Asian American Ministry Resources on Rooted

Follow @therootedministry on Instagram

This month's AAYM Roundtable delves into the crucial process of discerning and navigating the application journey when seeking a new role as a youth minister, director, or pastor. Our discussion centers on the lessons learned during this significant period of vocational transition, particularly the critical steps involved before accepting a position. This episode, the first in a series, specifically focuses on the essential considerations for identifying and evaluating healthy church environments as a key aspect of the discernment process. We will explore the characteristics of thriving ministry contexts and offer practical guidance for candidates as they prayerfully consider their next steps in youth ministry leadership.

Resources: 

Follow @therootedministry  

Join us in Chicago, October 23-25, 2025, for our annual gospel-centered youth ministry conference!

If you are new to family ministry, check out our Family Ministry Mentoring Program.

Subscribe to the Asian American Youth Ministry podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

Asian American Ministry Resources on Rooted

Follow @therootedministry on Instagram