What does it look like for a church to become a place where every individual—regardless of ability—belongs, is valued, and is discipled?

In this inspiring episode, we take a deep dive into the heart behind Embrace Ministry at Brentwood Baptist Church and the incredible work happening through the Rowan Glenn Center, a space created to love and serve individuals with special needs and their families.

You’ll hear how this ministry didn’t begin with a facility, a strategy, or a perfect plan—it began with a few families and a church willing to step into the calling of true inclusion. Through honest stories and practical wisdom, our guests share how churches of any size can build cultures of advocacy, accessibility, and gospel-centered care.

Whether your church is just starting this journey or looking to grow, this episode will challenge and encourage you to take the next step in loving families with special needs well. This episode will remind you that special needs ministry doesn’t require perfection—it requires presence. Whether you’re a Kids Ministry leader, pastor, volunteer, or parent, you’ll walk away with hope, direction, and a clearer vision of what it means to build a church where everyone truly belongs.

SHOW LINKS:

Lifeway Kids Special Needs 

Connect with Lifeway Kids

Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback!

We're so grateful for each and every one of you! 

Happy Thanksgiving!

SHOW LINKS:

Follow Jana Magruder on Instagram

Connect with Lifeway Kids

Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback!

If there’s one age group that keeps leaders on their toes, it’s preteens. 

In this honest and insightful episode, Melissa and Kieron dive into the messy, complicated, and often intimidating world of preteen ministry, a season filled with different learning styles, big questions, and big emotions. They unpack why this age group matters so deeply and why the conversations we have with them can feel so tough…and so important.

From shifting cultural pressures to identity struggles, from friendship drama to the awkward-but-essential bridge between kids ministry and middle school, they explore what it takes to create a supportive, safe, and spiritually formative space for preteens to grow.

You’ll hear practical strategies for engaging this in-between age, learn why VBS can be a powerful transition moment, and be encouraged by both Melissa and Kieron’s personal calling stories, reminders that God meets us in the hard moments and uses them to shape the next generation.

Preteen ministry isn’t easy…but it is worth it. And this conversation will help you lead with clarity, courage, and compassion.

SHOW LINKS: 

Levels of Biblical Learning 

Connect with Lifeway Kids

Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback!

Let’s be honest—talking about the hard stuff with little ones isn’t easy. 

In this powerful episode, Tracy McElhattan opens up about the real challenges of tackling tough topics in early childhood ministry. From behavioral struggles and special needs to the lingering impact of COVID-19, Tracy shares how parents, teachers, and ministry leaders can step into hard conversations with grace, patience, and purpose.

Drawing from her background in education and ministry, Tracy introduces her practical framework of the Three Ds: Development, Direction, and Discipleship, offering a roadmap for guiding children through life’s big questions while keeping connection and relationship at the center.

This episode reminds us that the hardest conversations often lead to the holiest moments, and that God’s faithfulness meets us in every challenge.

Whether you’re a kids ministry leader, educator, or parent, you’ll walk away encouraged to face the hard stuff with courage, compassion, and hope.

SHOW LINKS: 

Bible Studies For Life

Ages and Stages

Lifeway Special Needs Resources

Connect with Lifeway Kids

Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback!

What can a chicken sandwich teach us about leadership in ministry? 

In this insightful and energizing episode, Brett Buckland joins the conversation to share how lessons from his time at Chick-fil-A have shaped the way he leads in ministry and life. Brett dives into the power of value-driven leadership, the importance of being present with your team, and how simple, consistent habits can build a culture where both volunteers and families thrive.

Through real stories and practical wisdom, Brett draws surprising and inspiring parallels between the restaurant world and the church, showing that when leaders serve with purpose and excellence, ministry becomes more than a task; it becomes a movement.

This episode is packed with leadership gold for anyone serving in kids, next gen, or family ministry. Whether you lead two volunteers or two hundred, Brett’s practical insights will help you build a culture of excellence, purpose, and joy. The kind that keeps people coming back.

Because great ministry isn’t built on programs. It’s built on people.

SHOW LINKS:

Connect with Lifeway Kids

Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback!

What if a child’s behavior on Sunday isn’t misbehavior, but a message?

In this powerful and practical episode of Kids Ministry Calling, Kim Botto shares wisdom from her decades in children’s ministry, helping leaders understand how trauma impacts kids’ emotions, behavior, and connection. She unpacks what it means for the church to become trauma-informed, offering insight into the real statistics surrounding children with trauma and special needs.

Kim brings hope and hands-on strategies to the conversation, showing leaders how to build ministries that are not just fun, but healing. From positive communication and calming techniques to the use of fidgets and sensory tools, she equips you with simple, tangible ways to help kids feel safe and supported.

Whether you lead a Sunday morning classroom, train volunteers, or oversee next gen ministry, this episode will reshape how you approach behavior, empathy, and belonging in your church.

Listen now and be inspired to build a ministry of Boundless Hope.

SHOW LINKS:

Boundless Hope for Every Child 

Connect with Kim Botto

Connect with Lifeway Kids

Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback!

What if one of the most overlooked leadership skills could transform the way you serve kids, partner with parents, and lead volunteers? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Michelle Hicks to talk about the power of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) in ministry, and why it may be the secret ingredient to healthy leadership that lasts.

Dr. Hicks breaks down the five components of EQ: self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, social skills, and motivation - and shows how each one shapes the way we communicate, resolve conflict, lead teams, and love people like Jesus. From navigating emotional moments with grace to creating environments where leaders and kids feel seen, known, and valued, this conversation hits both heart and strategy.

This episode will stretch you, encourage you, and equip you to lead with greater wisdom, compassion, and clarity. Because in kids ministry, we don’t just manage programs, we shepherd people. And that starts with leading ourselves well. Thanks for listening and sharing with a friend!

SHOW LINKS:

Connect with Lifeway Kids

Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback!

We’ve all heard the phrase “stranger danger”, but the sobering truth is that nearly 90% of child abuse cases involve someone the child already knows and trusts. As ministry leaders, it’s our sacred responsibility to ensure that the church is a safe place for every child who walks through the doors.

In this episode of Kids Ministry Calling, host Jana Magruder is joined by Kris Buckman for a timely and practical conversation on abuse prevention in kids ministry. Kris shares her own ministry journey and offers valuable insights into:

• Why training, screening, and effective policies are essential safeguards
• How to build and implement a clear response plan for potential incidents
• The vital role volunteers play in creating a safe environment
• How to engage and equip youth volunteers for sensitive situations

Whether you’re a seasoned leader or new to kids ministry, this episode will encourage and equip you to strengthen safety measures in your church and create an environment where children can truly flourish.

Listen now and discover practical steps you can take to protect kids and empower your team.

SHOW LINKS: 

Protect My Ministry 

Ministry Safe 

Essentials Curriculum

Connect with Lifeway Kids

Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback!

Get ready for a heart-filled and practical conversation! In today's episode, Jana Magruder sits down with Taylor Johnson, who wears two hats as a Next Generation and Children’s Minister, to unpack what truly makes a kids ministry thrive.

Taylor shares his journey of calling, how God led him into ministry, and the mentors who shaped his path. Then, we dive into the nuts and bolts of effective children’s ministry:

• Safety – Why it’s non-negotiable and how it builds trust with families.
• Communication – How consistent, clear communication keeps parents and volunteers aligned.
• Connection – Fostering meaningful relationships that help kids feel seen and known.
• Welcoming Atmosphere – Creating a space where every child feels at home.
• Gospel Foundation – Keeping Jesus at the center of every game, lesson, and moment.

Whether you’re leading a small group, coordinating volunteers, or dreaming up your next Sunday morning activity, Taylor’s insights will help you build a ministry that not only reaches kids - but retains families and grows disciples.

This episode will inspire you to see kids ministry not just as a program, but as a calling, a sacred opportunity to shape the next generation of disciples through love, care, and gospel truth.

Listen now and get ready to be both equipped and encouraged!

SHOW LINKS:

VBS Preview Event

The Gospel Project

Connect with Lifeway Kids

Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback!

Every child is created in the image of God and deserves a place to belong in the church. In this episode of Kids Ministry Calling, Jana Magruder sits down with Sandra Peoples to explore the vital role of disability ministry. With warmth and wisdom, Sandra shares both her personal journey and her passion for helping churches become places where every child, and every family, feels seen, supported, and embraced.

 Sandra Peoples unpacks the heart behind disability ministry, showing why inclusion isn’t optional for the church but central to living out the gospel. She shares practical strategies for communicating with families, implementing inclusion practices, and developing individualized spiritual plans that help children with disabilities grow in their faith.

The conversation highlights how a supportive church can transform not just a child’s experience but the entire family’s spiritual journey. If this conversation challenged or encouraged you, we’d love for you to rate, review, and share this episode so that more leaders can be inspired to build churches where every family belongs.

SHOW LINKS: 

Accesible Church 

Children and Salvation 

Lifeway Special Needs 

Be All In 

Connect with Lifeway Kids

Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback!