Today’s episode feels very timely. For many of us, we are in the middle of a season change. We are putting away our VBS costumes and gearing for the launch of the fall season. My guest today is Angie Hooie and together we talk about burnout. I know that feels like a hot topic word, but I feel like these feelings of being overwhelmed, overworked and under equipped often show up when our expectations around the next season seem to be unmet. Angie brings so much encouragement and practical steps to take if you to prevent burnout or if you find yourself in a hard season.

Resources Mentioned

Kids Ministry Fall Cohort

Seasons Planning Guide

Connect with Angie

Have you ever been stumped when it comes to planning out your kids worship set? How can we keep the kids engaged and help them understand the importance of musical worship?

Our guest today, Dylan Arms, is going to help unravel all of those in our episode today. Dylan is a Worship Pastor, musical artist, and a new dad. He helps us see that worship does matter and that we can create a space for all kids to thrive.

Resources Mentioned:

Kids Ministry Circle Fall Cohort

Seasons Planning Guide

Dylan Arms Kids Worship Music

Dylan Arms Kids Worship Website

The Kids Ministry Circle Podcast is BACK!

After our Summer break, we are back and I am picking up right where I left off with Building a Kids Ministry Part 2.

It's been a summer of building a kids ministry for a church launching in September and I am filling you in on what I've been working on, new resources we are launching, and my ministry motto.

Resources Mentioned:

Seasons Planning Guide

Fall Cohort Registration

In this special episode of the Kids Ministry Circle podcast, I am sharing some big news on the next season! Hear the news, wha I am working on, and how you can join in on the fun!

Let's build a Kids Ministry!

It’s another week, with another episode where I learn something new about how to teach kids about God and His Word. I am so excited to introduce you to today’s guest, Mary Wiley. Mary is a mom, kids ministry volunteer, author, and a publisher for B&H publishing. Her latest book is called Discovering the Bible: A Kid's Guide to Reading and Understanding God's Word and just wait until you hear how she uses this book in her own church. I was instantly hooked. 

Together, we talk about helping kids understand the importance and authority of scripture. In our culture today, kids are tempted to look everywhere for truth and we want to help this next generation of kids know that they can turn to the only thing that is True forever, God’s Word. 

Resources Mentioned:

Summer Intensive

Discovering The Bible book

Learn more from Mary Wiley

It's time for another pep talk. VBS, Kids Camp, or whatever you have planned for Summer programming may be in full swing or right around the corner and we could all probably use some encouragement.

In this episode, I share 5 things that you can focus on or remember during VBS.

I am cheering you on. To God be the glory!

I have heard from countless leaders about the struggle of the preteen years in Kids Ministry. They aren’t quite ready for student ministry, but they are searching for deeper discipleship opportunities. I was even asked a few weeks ago if I knew of anyone creating curriculum or content for preteen girls and I am so excited to introduce you to someone who is doing just that and she just happens to be neighborhood! Janna Widdifield is the founder of Vessels.

Today we talk about preteen girls and what they need from the church and how the chance to pour into young girls isn’t just a kids ministry opportunity. It’s a women’s ministry opportunity! You will love hearing what Janna has experienced as she has led this over the years and how we can come alongside young girls and equip them to follow Jesus all of their days.   

Resources Mentioned:

Vessels Ministry

Connect with Janna

@godsvessels

Summer Intensive

Today on the podcast we have Barry & Jess Saylor from One Hope. They serve on the research team at One Hope and have led projects to help parents and ministry leaders better understand the generations, discipleship, and struggles of parenting.

In this episode, we deep dive their research on Generation Alpha. This research is important and impactful. Don't miss this conversation and download the entire research for yourself!

Resources Mentioned:

Summer Intensive

One Hope Research: Gen A

We’ve all been keeping our eyes on the stats about Gen Z, Bible sales, and pop up revivals happening on college campuses, but what about Gen A?

Can we pinpoint what ministry leaders have done different this time? Is it possible to recreate what is happening now for the next generation?

Those are the questions we are asking in today’s podcast and I invited Shane Pruitt to talk all about it.  Shane is an author, speaker, and Director of Next Gen for the North American Mission Board. We talk about cultural shifts, empowering gen Z, and how to disciple Gen A. Get your notes ready friends—this conversation is for sure a note-taking episode. 

Resources Mentioned:

Summer Intensive

Connect with Shane

IG: @shane_pruitt78

This one is for the moms, people who lead alongside moms, and people who support a mom in ministry.

My guest today is my friend and mentor, Nancy Matossian. I got a front row seat to watch Nancy raise her girls and work in full-time vocational ministry and it was such a gift to bring her on the podcast to talk about being a mom in ministry.

We talk about the illusion of balance, how to navigate difficult church seasons, and how we can change our perspective to notice God.

Resources Mentioned:

Summer Intensive

Connect with Nancy & Slingshot Group