Kids Ministry Circle Podcast

Welcome to a new episode of the Kids Ministry Circle Podcast! This week, I had the opportunity to talk to Derek Altom, the director of events and development at D6.

Derek and I talk about how we can all get better at equipping parents and how it is not just a one time event, but discipleship happens in all areas of life. I loved the story about Derek’s son memorizing scripture in the car! So encouraging and so applicable to all parents. 

Of course, I invite Derek to share his families Christmas traditions and talk through how to equip parents to add in a time of home discipleship during the Advent & Christmas season. 

Derek was SO kind and gave you all a code for a discount for the D6 Conferences happening Spring of 2025.

Code: KIDMINCIRCLE

50$ off at D6 NW

75$ off at D6 SE

This episode was such a joy to record and I know you are going to love it! 

Pull out the twinkle lights, Christmas trees, and fake snow! It is time to start decorating for Christmas! But where do we start and how do we find the balance of whimsy and sophisticated?

I invited the part of the team from Wit.Co Creative to teach us best practices when it comes to decorating our hallways for Christmas.

Resources mentioned:

Wit.Co Creative

Kids Ministry Space Tour

Greenery: Afloral

Christmas Trees: Balsam Hill

Large Scale Christmas Decor

Walmart Garland

Amazon Garland

White Cord Lights (interior)

Green Cord Lights (trees & greenery)

Large C9 Lights (clear)

Large C9 Lights (opaque)

Happy 100 episodes of the Kids Ministry Circle Podcast! To celebrate this milestone, my husband, Luke, took over and interviewed me! Together we look back on some of my favorite episodes, what I am learning these days and what is coming up in this next season of Kids Ministry Circle.

We are grateful you are here and cheers to the next 100 episodes!

Resources Mentioned:

Drama of Scripture

Churchfront Worship & Tech Podcast

Our guest today is Joshua Cooley. Joshua is a former kids ministry leader turned author! In our conversation, we talk about Josh's journey into ministry (it's a wild story!), the importance of foundational questions in faith for children, and how to navigate big questions that kids ask.

Josh emphasizes the significance of using everyday moments to teach kids about God and encourages new leaders in kids ministry to keep learning and growing in their faith.

Don't forget do get your copy of Josh's new kids book, "I Can't Believe My Eyes"

Resources mentioned:

Countdown to Christmas Masterclass

I Can't Believe My Eyes book

Welcome to another episode of The Kids Ministry Circle Podcast! Today's episode is one big kids ministry party. My guests are three members from the Kids Ministry team at Hespeler Baptist Church in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada!

Together we talk about the differences and similarities of church culture in Canada compared to the United States.

We also explore the unique dynamics of volunteer-driven ministry, the challenges of discipleship in a secular culture, and the importance of community engagement.

Don't miss the end of our conversation--we announce a brand new Kids Ministry conference, Gospel Kids Conference, happening May 2025!

Resources Mentioned:

Kids Ministry Masterclass: Countdown to Christmas

Gospel Kids Conference

The answer to the title of this podcast is a resounding YES!

Our guest today is Abby McClelland! Abby is the Elementary Director from The Crossing Church in Missouri and she reached out to me with a new book she wrote called, God Says Go. Of course I ordered the book and knew she had to come share about it with the rest of you.

Abby shared how her and her team have been working together how to teach and share the Great Commission with the kids and families in their community.

We talk about the process they went through, what steps they've implemented, and how they are learning to balance discipleship and evangelism.

Resources Mentioned:

Countdown to Christmas Masterclass

God Says Go book

The Crossing Church Kids

STEP Devotional Podcast

Do you ever look at people and wonder how they do it all?

Josh & Sarah Denhart are two people who are serving the church, raising kids, caring for ministry leaders, and so much more! But, what I love the most about Josh & Sarah is their willingness to share how the hard seasons have shaped them and how they continue to put God at the center of all that they do.

In this episode we have an honest conversation about what life has looked like for Josh & Sarah as they have served together in ministry for over two decades! They share a few of the ways they continue to cheer on each other in their gifting and how they raised their own kids in the spotlight of ministry.

Today's episode is with a couple of my favorite leaders in the kids ministry space. Chuck Peters and Jana Magruder lead the team behind Lifeway Next Gen and help create some of our favorite resources.

Throughout this episode, they share how they work together united with one vision and they highlight the value of transparency, vulnerability, and grace in their professional and personal interactions.

We talk about the joys of launching a brand new curriculum and the importance of being culturally aware as we lead and serve kids and families.

I know you will love this conversation!

Resources Mentioned:

HYFI Curriculum

Flip the Script Book

Lifeway Kids

The conversation around identity is one of the most important Next Gen conversations of our culture.

We must consistently remind kids that they are made in the image of God and that God loves them so deeply.

Today on the podcast Christie Penner Worden joins me to dive deep into the identity conversation and talk about her new book, The Me I Was Made to Be: Helping Christian Parents Navigate the Identity Conversation.

Whether you lead preschoolers, elementary kids, or students, it is never too early to start teaching kids about their role in the BIG story of God or their true identity only found in Christ.

Resources Mentioned:

Christie's book, The Me I Was Made To Be

@christieworden

Today’s episode is a tender one and comes with a trigger warning! I have felt this pull to talk about what to do when we experience grief as ministry leaders. It is not an, if we experience grief, but it is a when we experience grief.

Leading teams, pastoring families, and teaching kids about the goodness of God can be so hard when you as the leader are walking through a season of grief. 

We fight the lie that when we show up on a Sunday, we must be perfect. We forget that the safety of the local church is there for us too. 

So we are going to talk about it. This episode comes with a big trigger warning. Kimmy, our guest today has a story that includes infant loss and the grief that comes with losing a child. If this conversation will not be helpful for you to hear today, that’s okay. 

Resources Mentioned:

Kids Ministry Circle Cohort

Grief/Suffering Resources:

Signing on Sunday: 40 Meditations for When Church Hurts by Megan Hill

Held by Abbey Wedgeworth