In this episode, I invite my friend Jared Kennedy to join me to talk about his latest Toddler & Preschool curriculum with New Growth Press.

We explore the significance of play in learning, creating a safe and engaging environment for children, and the role of memory in early childhood education. Jared emphasizes the need for encouraging volunteers, casting vision for toddler and preschool ministry, and the importance of parent discipleship.

Resources Mentioned

The Beginner's Gospel Story Curriculum

Kids Ministry Circle Summit

The Beginner's Gospel Story Bible

Keeping Your Children's Ministry on Mission

Today on the podcast, I am answering one of my most talked about questions in the Kids Ministry Circle Cohort & Kids Ministry Circle Coaching: How to build a Kids Ministry leadership team.

Listen to my 6 key steps to begin the process of building a lead team and how I have done this in a handful of different church environments.

Resources Mentioned:

Lead Team Org Chart

In today's conversation, I invited my friend, Kris Buckman to help all of us think about safety in a whole new way. We discuss the importance of safety protocols in church environments, particularly focusing on child protection and compliance. They share personal experiences related to church safety, the challenges of accountability, and the necessity of proper training for volunteers.

Resources Mentioned:

Kids Ministry Circle Cohort

Kids Ministry Circle Summit

Essentials Curriculum

Connect with Kris Buckman: [email protected]

Have you ever been curious about getting head knowledge about God to move to heart transformation from God?

My guest today is David Rausch, the founder of GO! Curriculum. In this episode, we talk about David's new book, Feeding Faith: A Children's Ministry Recipe for Rescuing a Lost Generation and so much more!

This is definitely a note taking episode that you are going to love!

Resources Mentioned:

GO! Curriculum

David's Book, Feeding Faith

Kids Ministry Circle Cohort

Kids Ministry Circle Summit

This is our last episode in this 4-part series all about raising up the next generation of leaders. My hope is that throughout these 4 episodes, we will begin to answer these 3 questions:

-Why is it so hard to find people to work on kids ministry staff?
-How can we raise up the next generation of leaders?
-How can we better disciple Gen Z? 

Today's episode is with Colin Provart. Colin is the Director of Salt Network at Storyline Church in Arvada, CO and is faithfully discipling his Gen Z residents and so many college students who are coming to know Jesus. He is a friend and a leader I admire. You are going to love our conversation!

Resources Mentioned:

Kids Ministry Circle Summit

Kids Ministry Circle Spring Cohort

Salt Network

It is week 3 of our podcast series all about raising up the next generation of leaders. My hope is that throughout these 4 episodes, we will begin to answer these 3 questions:

1. ​ Why is it so hard to find people to work on kids ministry staff
2. ​ How can we raise up the next generation of leaders?
3. ​ How can we better disciple Gen Z? 

My guest today is Julie Puckett. Julie is the Central Kids Pastor at LakePointe Church in Texas. Julie works side by side with LakePointe school of ministry to raise the next generation of ministry leaders. In our conversation today, Julie and I talk about what is keeping Gen Z from jumping into vocational ministry and how we better invite young leaders into leadership within the local church. 

Resources Mentioned:

Kids Ministry Circle Cohort

Kids Ministry Circle Summit

It is week 2 of our podcast series all about raising up the next generation of leaders. My hope is that throughout these 4 episodes, we will begin to answer these 3 questions: 1. Why is it so hard to find people to work on kids ministry staff? 2. How can we raise up the next generation of leaders? 3. How can we better disciple Gen Z? 

Today's guest is Vicki Abbot. Vicki is the Director of Kids Ministry at Ada Bible Church and together, we talk all about the ins and outs of leading an internship & residency program. If you are leading residents or hoping to at some point, this is the perfect episode for you!

Resources Mentioned:

⁠The Kids Ministry Circle Summit⁠

⁠Kids Ministry Circle Cohort

We are jumping into a new podcast series! These next four weeks will be all about raising up the next generation of leaders. My hope is that throughout these 4 episodes, we will begin to answer these 3 questions: 1. Why is it so hard to find people to work on kids ministry staff?
2. How can we raise up the next generation of leaders?
3. How can we better disciple Gen Z? 

These episodes are both big picture and extremely practical and I hope you will learn a ton and be challenged in the ways you think about vocational ministry and how you are equipping the next generation of pastors and ministers. Our guest today is Terry Parkman. Terry is a pastor, author, and the Global NextGen Ambassador for OneHope (an organization we love around here). He is so passionate about seeing the next generation step into their God-given purpose. Terry’s new book, Future Church is a must read for every ministry leader and this episode only scratches the surface of everything I learned by reading his book. 

Resources Mentioned:

Terry's book: Future Church

The Kids Ministry Circle Summit

Kids Ministry Circle Cohort

Welcome back to the Kids Ministry Circle Podcast and hello 2026!

We are kicking off another year of podcasting with 6 predictions for 2026. These are 6 things I am seeing in the Kids Ministry world that I think (& hope) we will see more of in 2026.

I'd love to know what you think!

Don't miss all that we have planned at Kids Ministry Circle for the new year!

Kids Ministry Circle Cohort

Kids Ministry Circle Summit

Books to help you & your team grow

I am so excited to welcome Alisha & Nicole from The Grove Church in Liberty Hill, TX. We are pulling back the curtain on how they plan their annual year and how they make sure everything we do aligns with their greater mission & vision. Plus, you are all going to love their Backyard Bible Club Summer event.

Resources Mentioned:

Spring Cohort 2025

1-on-1 Coaching